Dear readers, for a moment, Doing Life With was paused, but we’re now back to continue showcasing how people live, the work they do and the philosophies that guide how they live and what they do. Through the Doing Life With…, which will now be published every two weeks, we continue documenting the lives of all people and ensure everyone is well-represented at BN.

Today, we’re doing life withIbrahim Suleiman, a multi-talented Nigerian actor, architect, and artist known for his performances in films such as Up North, Funmilayo Ransome-Kuti and others. In this exclusive feature, he tells us what it means to be an actor in Nigeria today.

Hello Ibrahim. How are you feeling right now? What are you up to?

Hey, I’m good, thank you for asking. Feeling a little nervous because I have a solo art exhibition kicking off this weekend. But still excited.

Everyone knows you as an actor but now you’re having an art exhibition. How did acting start for you, and what are the other things that you do?

Acting was actually something I stumbled into. Had no plans whatsoever to be an actor. My Mom had just passed away, andI basically lost interest in everything I was doing. Quit my job as an Architect and hung up my sneakers as a Choreographer. Took a year off to just deal with the darkness that came with losing her.

And then a friend of mine found out I was back in Lagos and said to come hang out on their set. So I did, just to pass the time. I somehow got roped into recording an audition tape right there and got hired immediately. It felt like a joke to me at first, and I basically just felt like “Yeah, just have fun for a couple of months, then head back to Abuja.” It’s been almost 9 years and several really great projects so far.

I’m also an Architect (studied at ABU Zaria), writer, storyboard artist for ads, voice-over artist, and a self-taught painter/digital artist. (There’s more, but abeg let’s focus. Lol.)

Yeah, let’s focus!Give us a peek into your childhood and what aspects of your childhood inform all that you do today?

I was born and raised in Kaduna State, Northern Nigeria. First of 3 siblings. My parents separated when I was about 6, and my mom raised us all by herself (along with the Holy Spirit, as she always said, lol). We had a few really tough years, but she found her feet as a divorced mom ofthree, got a second job, and focused on making sure we did not lack the basics. I grew up in a very close-knit family. We learned to share, be honest, kind, empathetic, grateful, work hard, protect each other, and laugh. My family laugh a lot. It is one of my favourite things about us.

Source: https://www.bellanaija.com/2026/04/doing-life-with-ibrahim-suleiman/