Actress Habibat Jinadu discusses skin bleaching in Nollywood

Nollywood actress Habibat Jinadu has revealed that she bleached her skin to secure more acting opportunities within the Nigerian film industry. In an interview with BBC Yoruba, Jinadu explained that she felt her dark complexion and slim physique limited her chances of being cast in roles.

Jinadu noted that while the change in her appearance led to an increase in acting work, it caused significant personal difficulties. She reported that people struggled to recognize her in public and that she began suffering physical injuries, such as skin tears from minor bruises, while working on movie sets.

She stated that she ceased the practice in 2023 after becoming pregnant. Jinadu also mentioned that once she stopped bleaching, she faced verbal abuse and insults from others.