‘I was bus conductor for 8 years’ – actor Ibrahim Chatta recounts past struggles

Ibrahim Chatta, the Nigerian actor, has opened up about the challenges he faced before fame.

During a chat with Biola Bayo, the actress, Chatta recalled living in extreme hardship, sharing a single room with nine others, and lacking formal education or opportunities for stable employment.

He revealed that he worked as a bus conductor for eight years and sometimes endured long hours without food.

“I was living in Agege. I lived in a single room with nine other people, and it was difficult. I was uneducated; I had no certificate. I could not even work as a gateman,” he recalled.

“I started working as a bus conductor. I did that for about eight years of my life, working from one end of Lagos to another. I hustled so hard; I sometimes worked 36 hours without food.”

Reflecting on his progress, Chatta shared how far he has come as a provider and a source of support for many.

He added that he refuses to let his struggles define him.

“I did a lot of menial jobs, but they do not define me,” he added.

“This is Ibrahim Chatta. I have about 42 people on salary today. I have 62 people that I feed every day. I have people in school. I have people who are graduates now. So, that time does not define me.”

Chatta started acting at 15. He rose to fame for his role in the movie ‘Aiyekooto’ (2012).

Some of his notable films include ‘Atini O’go’, ‘Mafi Wonmi’, ‘Olo’, ‘Mafi Sere’, ‘Orere Laye’, and ‘Ebere Adigun’, among others.