Ikechukwu Nweke Appeals for Help in His Fight Against Colon Cancer

Nollywood actor Ikechukwu Nweke has reached out for financial help after revealing his battle with colon cancer.

He shared this emotional news on Friday in a video on his Instagram page called My Cancer Journey. In the video, he talked about the physical, emotional, and financial challenges he has faced. He mentioned that he kept his diagnosis a secret since 2025.

Colon cancer, also known as colorectal cancer, is a major cause of cancer deaths worldwide. The World Health Organisation (WHO) says that early diagnosis and proper treatment, including surgery, chemotherapy, and radiotherapy, can improve survival rates. But treatment can be very expensive, especially in countries like Nigeria, where many cancer patients pay out of pocket.

His Plea for Help

In the video, Mr Nweke revealed that he has spent over ₦15 million on chemotherapy, radiotherapy, medical tests, scans, and medications since he started treatment. He said he wanted to manage his illness privately, but the high cost of treatment has made it necessary for him to seek help.

“Good morning, good afternoon and good evening from wherever you are watching me from. I was diagnosed with colon cancer last year. I have been trying so hard to manage it privately,” he said.

Mr Nweke explained that his family has used most of their resources to support his treatment. He also mentioned that several colleagues in the Nigerian film industry have supported him.

He thanked Nollywood stars Destiny Etiko, Uche Nancy, Lizzy Gold, and Ebele Okaro, among others, for their financial help, encouragement, and prayers during his recovery.

Next Steps in Treatment

Despite the help he has received, Mr Nweke said his doctors have recommended another phase of treatment. They warned that stopping now could put his recovery at risk.

“Unfortunately, my battle is not over yet. My doctors have advised that I must continue with the next phase of my treatment to give me the best chance of a full recovery. I cannot afford to stop or skip this stage, but the financial burden has become overwhelming,” he said.

He appealed directly to Nigerians, asking for financial support. He emphasized that every contribution, no matter how small, would help.

“Today, I’m humbly asking for your help. No amount is too small. Your support, your prayers, and even sharing this video can make a real difference in my fight for life.”

In the video description, Mr Nweke opened up about the emotional pain of living with cancer. He described months of tough hospital visits, repeated chemotherapy and radiotherapy sessions, and emotional struggles.

His appeal has touched many hearts, with fans and colleagues sharing prayers and encouragement. They are calling on kind-hearted Nigerians to help with his treatment.

Mr Nweke is one of Nollywood's up-and-coming filmmakers. Besides acting, he is also a writer, director, and producer. Some of his works include ‘Chasing Clout’ (2023), ‘Dinner Rush’ (2025), and ‘Dear Mum’ (2025).

He is among the few Nigerian entertainers to openly share their fight with colon cancer. The late Sunny Okosun is the most notable previous case. Mr Okosun passed away on 26 May 2008 at Howard University Hospital in Washington, D.C.