For many Gen Z Nigerians, the name Maureen Solomon-Okereke may not immediately ring a bell. But for longtime Nollywood fans, she remains one of the most recognisable faces from the industry’s golden era, having featured prominently in numerous hit movies in the early 2000s.
At the peak of her career, however, the actress suddenly disappeared from the screen, leaving many fans wondering what had happened to one of Nollywood’s most beloved stars.
Speaking on Channels Television’s Rubbin’ Minds, Solomon-Okereke finally shed light on the deeply personal decision that led her away from acting.
According to the actress, motherhood and the responsibilities that came with raising young children made it increasingly difficult to continue taking movie roles, especially as she could no longer bring her children along to film locations.
“It was a difficult decision to leave my work and take care of my family. When I had my son first, it was easy. I could take him to work, movie sets and the locations, but when my second child came, it was not that easy,” Okereke said.
Despite stepping away from a thriving acting career, she insists she has no regrets about prioritising her family.
She explained that, although she had domestic help, she eventually realised that her children needed more of her time and presence, prompting her to put acting on hold.
“Regrets how? I have a 20-year-old and I have a 19-year-old now, they are both grown, though I still have a seven-year-old but I mean, anyone can attest that if parents are there the difference is always there. I don’t regret it at all.
“It got to a point where my daughter was about 5 years, and it wasn’t just going well, so I had to stop and give my time to them,” she reflected.
Now, after years away from the spotlight, the actress says she is happy to be back in Nollywood, with her older children grown and more independent.
She noted that even during her long absence from the screen, she kept a close eye on developments within the industry and remained connected to its evolution.
According to her, returning to acting has been a smooth transition, despite the industry’s shift toward streaming platforms and cinema productions, proving that taking time away for family does not diminish ambition or passion.
Solomon-Okereke also recalled how she unexpectedly found her way into acting, revealing that her entry into Nollywood happened by chance.
“The opportunity actually came on its own, I didn’t go looking for it. I just went to check my JAMB poly exam, came back, our door was locked, my elder sister wasn’t around, they told me where she was, Grand Hotel, I went there and it happened they were having audition.
“I just stood there looking, watching what people were saying because she was somewhere inside. So, they were giving people script to read, it got to my turn and I read, that was it. And the next day, my sister went to check for her name and saw my name,” she said.
The actress also spoke about social media and the growing emphasis on follower counts in the entertainment industry, stressing that she does not subscribe to the notion that popularity online should determine an actor’s value. “I don’t believe in it,” Maureen emphasised.
