Nollywood Star Grace Effah Dumps Acting, Joins US Navy

Nollywood actress Grace-Charis Bassey Effah, has officially enlisted in the United States navy.

The 33-year-old Cross River-born film star took to her Instagram page to share a photo of herself in navy uniform.

Effah revealed that she had just graduated from boot camp and had also become a US citizen.

In the post, she dedicated her achievement to her late father Asido Bassey Effah, who also served in the military.

“First, All glory to God. Last week, I graduated from U.S. Navy boot camp as a Sailor and took the oath as a citizen of the United States,” she wrote.

“Nigeria raised me, America challenged me, and I stand today stronger and more determined than ever.

“Thank you to everyone who believed in me. This is just the beginning. In honour of my late father – Naval Cdr. Asido Bassey Effah.”

Effah made her Nollywood debut in the 2005 TV series ‘Shallow Waters’. She then took a break from the series to feature in the reality show ‘Next Movie Star’.

This isn’t the first major life change for Effah. In 2021, she publicly announced that she had changed her name from Belinda to Grace-Charis after what she described as a divine encounter. She explained that her former name had a complicated meaning, prompting the switch.

Effah isn’t the only Nollywood actress to join the US armed forces. In December 2024, Princess Chineke also revealed that she had enlisted in the US army.