Jigan Babaoja on Resilience: Rising Above Body-Shaming in Nollywood

 Nollywood actor Kazeem Abimbola, popularly known as Jigan Babaoja, has opened up about overcoming body-shaming, sharing his journey of resilience at a mental health awareness event in Lagos on Tuesday, June 17. Known for his comedic roles, Jigan revealed how trolls and industry peers mocked his physical disability, which affects his leg, but emphasized that self-acceptance fueled his success.

“People laughed at my limp, but I turned pain into purpose,” Jigan said, recounting his rise from Yoruba-language films to mainstream Nollywood hits. His 2023 clash with singer Olamide, whom he threatened to sue for mocking his disability in a song, resurfaced during the event, with Jigan clarifying they reconciled privately. He urged young actors to ignore negativity, citing his roles in over 50 films as proof of perseverance. 

Jigan’s story highlights Nollywood’s evolving inclusivity, though he stressed the need for better representation of disabled actors. He announced a 2026 film project addressing body-shaming, aiming to spark broader conversations. His candidness has earned praise, reinforcing his status as a beloved figure in Nigerian cinema.