Nollywood actor and filmmaker Ibrahim Chatta has disclosed that he dropped out of secondary school to follow his passion for acting. In a recent interview with BBC Yoruba, Chatta opened up about the pivotal decision that shaped his career.
Chatta, who began his acting journey in 1985, shared that his dedication to his craft led him to miss school frequently. As a young enthusiast, he often skipped classes to participate in theatre performances with his peers.
Reflecting on those early days, Chatta explained how his commitment to acting overshadowed his academic responsibilities. Despite the challenges of leaving school, his passion for the craft drove him to pursue opportunities in the theatre.
The actor’s revelation underscores the sacrifices he made for his career and highlights his dedication to the arts. Ibrahim Chatta’s story is a testament to following one’s passion, even when it means stepping away from conventional paths.
Chatta revealed that his dedication to stage acting was the reason he left secondary school. Now in his 50s, the actor has continued his education through online courses and programs.
Ibrahim Chatta shared:
I started acting very early in my life. I knew I was going to go into acting as a kid. Acting took a lot from me. It did not allow me to go to school.
”My parents would think I was in school those days but I would have followed my colleagues for what we call travel theatre. It has now transitioned into filmmaking. That was how some of our bosses started their acting career from the stage into cinema movies.
“Although, I am doing some courses in adult education that are related to acting, I did not finish my secondary school education. The English language is like every other language. It can be taught and can be heard. The English language I speak is self-taught and I love reading so much. When I was little and I bought puff-puff, I used to read the paper wrap. I read about the English Language from the books.”
