I’ve fully surrendered to God, I no longer chase or force things, says Uti Nwachukwu

With a career spanning over a decade, Uti Nwachukwu has evolved from reality TV star to one of Nigeria’s most dynamic entertainers. From winning Big Brother Africa to anchoring eleven seasons of Jara, Uti’s journey has been anything but ordinary. Known for his bold fashion, and ability to light up any room, he speaks with refreshing honesty about faith, freedom, and finding purpose. In this chat with Weekend Trust, Uti opens up about his childhood as the last born in a large family, the lessons he’s unlearned, and the next bold chapter he’s quietly preparing for.

Growing up as the last born in a family of six, how did that shape your personality and career choices?

I come from a family of six, with one brother and four sisters—all older than me. Thankfully, I had really cool siblings, and I learned a lot from them, especially when it came to social interactions, family bonds and friendships. I’ve always had a natural pull toward older friends, and at the same time, I had younger ones who looked up to me. A common thing my older friends would say was that I seemed wise beyond my years—mature, even though I was playful and mischievous (typical last-born behaviour!). But when it was time to get serious, I could go deep. I think that nurturing side of me came from being the youngest and soaking up a lot from my siblings.

We’re still a very close-knit family, very supportive of one another. I try to spend time with them every weekend, as long as I’m not caught up with work. It grounds me and reminds me of my roots, so I don’t get swept up in the noise of everything else. In terms of my career path, growing up in a small town meant my parents were intentional about how we spent our time. My dad in particular wanted us to stay out of trouble and exposed us to a lot of both local and international content; TV shows, documentaries, and all sorts of media that would expand our worldview and improve how we spoke and thought. Looking back, I think that’s when my love for presenting started to take root. I was always watching something; movies, cartoons, thrillers, sci-fi, you name it. When I wasn’t reading storybooks or losing myself in fictional worlds, I was watching TV. It makes perfect sense that I’m doing what I do today.

You’ve dabbled in music, acting and hosting. Which of these roles feels most like ‘home’ to you, and why?

If I had to pick one that feels like home, it would definitely be hosting. It allows me to be 100 percent myself, to own the space I’m in, and let my natural energy guide the room. It’s like weaving a web and pulling everyone into my world. My playful, empathetic, and nurturing nature all come into play, and people get an honest, grounded version of me. Hosting just feels like a natural extension of who I am. Music was actually my first love. I used to dream of becoming a big pop star. Honestly, it could still happen, maybe in the next phase of my career. Acting, on the other hand, was more of a happy accident. Friends always told me I had a knack for mimicking people and should try acting. I auditioned for The Next Movie Star, came in as first runner-up, and that led to my first introduction in the movie industry, right before I did Big Brother.

Can you share a memorable prank or fun moment from your time on Big Brother?

One of the funniest memories from Big Brother was when they brought me back as a fake housemate. I think it was around 2015 or 2016 during The Chase. We were meant to stir things up, and one of the pranks I played involved pretending I was losing my mind. The housemates were clearly panicking but trying to play it cool, it cracked me up!

Hosting ‘Jara’ for 11 seasons is no small feat. How did that consistency evolve you as a host and person?

To be honest, I didn’t expect the show to last this long, 11 seasons and counting. I thought maybe two or three at best. But it just kept evolving. Working with such brilliant producers, directors, and content creators, the whole thing grew right before our eyes. Over time, it became second nature. Hosting went from something I prepared for, to something that just flowed. It was like going from caterpillar to butterfly, season by season.

I can’t point to a single thing that triggered my growth, but I definitely saw myself evolve. It came from navigating different personalities, guests who gave more than expected or way less and learning to adapt. I also had to learn how to take direction. There were moments when I was so sure I knew the right way to do something, only to realize that someone else’s input made it even better. It taught me to trust the process, and more importantly, to trust my team. I wasn’t always great at teamwork, but this experience really changed that; from wardrobe decisions to scripting and beyond. It helped me grow in more ways than I expected.

What do you miss most about the show?

I genuinely miss my team, Helen Paul, the producers, the crew, everyone. We felt like a family. And I miss the random guests, too. I’ve always been fascinated by people, ever since I was a child. I’d read and watch anything that showed different personalities and ways of thinking. So not knowing who would show up each day added that layer of excitement. The pre-production meetings were always something I looked forward to.

Your style always makes a statement. What’s the story behind the most daring outfit you’ve ever worn?

As for fashion, I don’t have one single most daring outfit, but one that definitely stood out was what I wore to host The Real Housewives of Lagos Season 3 reunion. Trust has been a big part of my style journey; trusting my designers and their creative process. Over time, I’ve noticed that I can pull off just about anything, and people often say, “This outfit would look ridiculous on someone else, but you make it work.” So I embrace that. I’ve never been one to blend in; I’ve always leaned toward standing out. I remember telling Emi Kasbit, one of my first designers, “Put me in something people are scared to wear, but please, nothing too ridiculous.” That’s how the bold looks started, playing with patterns, colours, and shapes. As I evolve, I ask my designers to evolve with me. The trust is mutual, and so far, they’ve continued to deliver looks that are as unique as they are powerful.

If your life story was a painting, what would it be titled—and what colours would dominate the canvas?

If my life were a painting, it would be a blend of every imaginable colour—not just the primary ones, but every hue and shade you can think of. Picture one of those abstract, splashy pieces where the chaos forms something meaningful when you take a step back. It might look wild and layered up close, but when you zoom out, it becomes something breath-taking, complex, rich, and deeply moving. It would speak of experiences, some joyful, some unsettling, some beautifully confusing but all coming together into a rare, timeless piece. I think I’d call it something like The Epiphany or maybe A Timeless Experience. It’s hard to name it exactly, but it would definitely carry a sense of discovery and depth.

You once said you’re cautious about marriage—what have your experiences taught you about love and self-discovery?

I’ve become very intentional about how I approach relationships, romantic or otherwise, because human beings are so different. Every connection, no matter how “effortless” it seems, requires work. And to even have a shot at a healthy, lasting bond, you first have to master yourself. That means being emotionally self-aware, independent, and secure enough not to lose yourself in someone else. And the same goes for the other person. It’s really about two whole people choosing to do life together. Some people are built for relationships, some are not, and forcing it usually leads to pain.

For me, I live by the principle that what’s meant to be will be. Every major moment in my life has shown up unplanned, often when I wasn’t looking or striving too hard. It’s like dipping your toe in a pool and suddenly finding yourself diving in for the swim of your life. That’s how things tend to happen for me, organically, unexpectedly, but always right on time. I’ve fully surrendered to God. I no longer chase or force things. My only job is to take care of what He places on my path. If it’s not on my path, I won’t pursue it. That mind set has given me peace and the confidence to let life unfold.

When life gets overwhelming, how do you take the edge off?

When things get heavy, I turn to practices that help me reset mentally and emotionally. I watch videos on emotional regulation, I meditate, I breathe, deep, mindful breathing and I lean on my trusted tribe. We’re all on similar spiritual journeys, so there’s always something grounding and uplifting in our conversations.

I’ve stopped asking, “Why me?” and started asking, “What am I supposed to learn here?” Because I believe life keeps giving you the same lessons until you truly grasp them. So now, I embrace every experience as part of my growth. I focus on filling my mind with knowledge, anchoring myself in faith, and remembering that everything really does work together for good, especially for those of us held tightly in God’s love.

What’s a lesson you had to unlearn to grow into the man you are today?

Whew, so much. I’ve had to shed layers of societal, religious, and cultural conditioning that weren’t serving me. Now, I live by three personal rules: I can do anything I want as long as I’m not deliberately hurting myself, not deliberately hurting someone else, and if someone else is involved, I have their full consent. That’s it. I don’t subscribe to guilt-driven belief systems. I don’t believe in faking it or living to please others. I’ve learned to reject oppressive doctrines, unhealthy cultural norms, and the pressure to conform. Since around 2015, my eyes started opening, and over the years, I’ve stepped into real freedom; freedom in thought, in spirit, in how I relate to God.

Right now, my relationship with my Creator is the strongest it’s ever been. I no longer try to earn love, I know I’m already loved, and that’s more than enough. I’ve also come to understand that silence from God doesn’t mean abandonment. Sometimes, it’s just a time of preparation, of building strength for what’s next. I’ve stopped panicking during those silent seasons and learned to trust the process. I’ve also had to unlearn the habit of giving endless chances to people who clearly show they’re not meant to stay. Letting go is hard, but holding on to what should be released is even harder in the long run. All of this unlearning has brought me to a place of peace, clarity, and deep acceptance of myself and my journey.

What’s one career move or creative leap you’re planning that might surprise your audience?

Ah, but if I spill the tea now, where’s the surprise? Let’s just say something big is definitely brewing; it’s already in motion. I believe it’s been divinely orchestrated; God has written it into the script of my life. So when it does happen, oh my goodness, people will be like, “Wait, what?!” My life has a way of unfolding with the most delightful plot twists. So yeah, brace yourself, hold tight to your kabu kabu, he’s on the way!

Any plans to return to music, or maybe explore directing or producing?

Absolutely. That’s always been part of the bigger picture for me. If it’s in God’s plan, it will definitely happen. Personally, yes, I believe I’ll be behind the camera someday. I see myself directing something meaningful at some point. As for producing… whew, that one can be stressful, so I’m not jumping into it just yet. But directing? That feels aligned.

Now, when it comes to music, like I said earlier, I believe that’s phase two of my creative journey. I was gifted with it, and I feel a responsibility to honour and celebrate that part of myself. I used to hold back because of all those tired old phrases like “Jack of all trades, master of none”, ugh, that mindset is so limiting and outdated. That’s one of the many things I’ve had to unlearn.

If someone wants to explore multiple gifts, let them! Don’t go projecting your personal limitations onto others. So yes, music, directing… it’s all in the cards. Unless God gives me a clear “no,” I’m open and ready.

Culled from Daily Trust