Very few things exude the Nigerian DNA like a thoroughly elaborate owambe wedding unless you’re jollof rice. Fortunately for us, weddings and jollof rice strike a slightly better combo than our infamous “Agege” bread and beans.
While many Nigerians would tell you for certain that 2024 was indeed a turbulent year all around, Nigerian celebrity weddings had some very differing views against such opinions throughout the year.
Dubbed the year of love across Nigeria’s social media ecosystem, 2024 gave us some of the best celebrity weddings of recent memory. From the stunning couples, the impressively detailed fashion experience, to the impeccable hype, and simply the Nigerianess of any Nigerian wedding, 2024 has been a year to remember on the Nigerian celebrity wedding scene.
So, here is a quick look at the best of the bunch for the year…so far.
1. #Chivido2024: Davido & Chioma Adeleke
A union many would tell you was fated to be, #Chivdo2024 was and is, by far the best and biggest celebrity wedding that graced the year 2024. A wedding of significant proportions both literally and metaphorically, the union of the superstar, Davido, and his long-time lover and wife, Chioma Rolland brought out the eliteness in the Nigerian elites back in June.
Packed with the crème de la crème of Nigeria’s society—from billionaires to fashion moguls, Afrobeats heavyweights, business tycoons, and politicians—the #Chivido hall was the place to be. The car park alone was an eye feast of the ages; the only thing short was helicopters. Bringing the whole of Lagos city to a standstill, the wedding gave us the perfect fusion of everything luxury and grandeur atop Nigeria’s most anticipated celebrity love story.
2. The Ateres: Veekee James & Femi Atere
The celebrity wedding that fully took over February and set the tone for the rest was the union of the Ateres—Veekee James Atere and Femi Atere. It not only stood out for its mysterious unveiling of the groom but also for the creative genius James herself.
Truly representing herself as the leading force for bridal attires in the Nigerian fashion industry, the designer outdid herself with the bridal apparel on display for her wedding, with her $30,000 wedding gown taking the cake.
The ceremony, held at the Harvesters International Christian Centre, put on a show for all to see and reminded us of what a Nigerian celebrity wedding should indeed look like.
3. #LoveUnitesUs24: Sharon Ooja & Ugo Nwoke
With a slightly more controversial reception from the public, Sharon Ooja’s union with husband Ugo Nwoke, joined the list of celebrity weddings for the year. Hash-tagged #LoveUnitesUs24, the stunning actress did seem very much united by love with her partner all through the ceremony.
While there was an unexpected wave of negativity surrounding the earlier marital life of her partner (Nwoke is a three-time divorcee), it didn’t seem to matter much to the couple, especially when it meant gifts like a briefcase of cash from the business mogul Charles Okpaleke of Play Network Africa!
4. #tyloverockd2024: Yhemo Lee and Thayour B
It may or may not have come as a surprise to most when popular nightlife figure and singer, Yhemo Lee announced his engagement and marriage to his longtime girlfriend, Thayour B, but it sure did send sparks flying across Nigerian social media.
A love story for the books, the ceremony took place on Aug. 31 and was graced by the entertainment industry elites. Whether it was Zlatan’s $200,000-plus matte-olive green Lamborghini Urus, or the blinged-out watches of the attendees such as Poco Lee and Sydney Talker, you can trust Yhemo Lee to spice his wedding with everything that remotely has “luxury” added to its name.
5. #KTTV24: Kunle Remi & Boluwatiwi
Many hearts were definitely broken when the much-admired actor and producer, Kunle Remi closed off 2023 with an announcement of his engagement to his partner, Boluwatiwi Oye—and subsequently, marriage—after five years of relationship, and kick-started 2024 with their marriage ceremony.
The ceremony, which took place on Jan. 19, in Ibadan, was only the first glimpse of the caliber of celebrity weddings to be experienced throughout the year—and a glimpse it was!
Even more memorable was the groom’s choice of a best man in his colleague, Bimbo Ademoye, who many would have thought would end up with the actor. Oh, and Layiwasabi was more than happy to show off his dancing shoes.