LAGOS, Nigeria – Nigerian media personality Ebuka Obi-Uchendu has revealed that he began smoking cigarettes while in junior secondary school and struggled with the habit for more than a decade before eventually quitting.
Okay News reports that the former Big Brother Naija host shared the personal story during a recent episode of the MENtality podcast alongside singer Banky W and health influencer Aproko Doctor, where the trio discussed addiction, self-control, and mental health.
According to Ebuka, he started smoking in JSS3 and continued for 13 years, eventually becoming a heavy smoker by the time he entered university.
“I started smoking in JSS3. I smoked for 13 years. By the time I entered university, I was smoking two packs a day,” he said during the discussion.
The television host explained that he later made conscious efforts to stop smoking and successfully overcame the addiction after years of struggle.
During the conversation, Banky W also spoke openly about battling pornography addiction, saying he initially turned to it while trying to avoid a promiscuous lifestyle. He noted that many people unknowingly replace one harmful habit with another while trying to cope with emotional or personal challenges.
Aproko Doctor added that many addictions are driven by people attempting to escape pain or seek temporary pleasure, stressing the importance of self-awareness and emotional discipline in overcoming destructive behaviours.
