Nollywood Actor Joseph Momodu Enlists in US Army

Nollywood actor Joseph Momodu has officially joined the United States Army after successfully completing Basic Combat Training, marking a significant new chapter in his life and career.

The actor announced the milestone on Friday in a heartfelt post on his verified Instagram account, revealing that he had completed 10 weeks of intensive military training at Fort Leonard Wood, Missouri, before being enlisted as a Specialist (SPC) in the United States Army.

Sharing details of the journey, Momodu described the experience as one of the most physically and mentally demanding challenges he has ever faced, saying the achievement was earned through resilience, discipline and unwavering determination.

"From inception, I have always believed in achievements earned through merit, which is why I constantly push myself beyond limits," he wrote.

According to the actor, the training pushed him beyond his comfort zone and tested every aspect of his character.

He recalled enduring long days of drills, sleepless nights, physical exhaustion and moments of uncertainty, admitting that there were times he questioned whether he had made the right decision.

"There were moments of doubt and times I questioned myself, 'who send me message sef'? But I never lost sight of the finish line," he said.

Despite the challenges, Momodu said the programme fundamentally changed him, describing it as a process that stripped recruits down before rebuilding them into soldiers.

"We trained tirelessly, were broken down and rebuilt. I went to sleep a civilian and woke up a soldier," he wrote, adding that one of the greatest lessons he learned was to "find comfort in discomfort."

Beyond achieving a personal ambition, the actor said his enlistment carried deep emotional significance because it enabled him to continue a legacy left behind by his late father.

According to him, his father served in the Nigerian Police Force before his death two decades ago, and joining the US Army represented a continuation of that tradition of service.

"On April 12, 2026, I honoured my late father in a historic way. Twenty years after his passing, I picked up the baton where he left off in the Nigerian Police Force and carried it forward by getting enlisted into the United States Army," Momodu stated.

He disclosed that he now serves as Specialist (SPC) J.A. Momodu with the 1st Platoon, Charlie Company, 3-10, 3rd Battalion, 10th Infantry Regiment, based at Fort Leonard Wood, Missouri.

The actor dedicated the achievement to God, his late father and the Royal Family of Oba Momodu II of the Avyuele Clan in Agbede, Etsako West Local Government Area of Edo State.

He also expressed appreciation to the US Army Recruiting Station in Burbank, California, for guiding him through the enlistment process, while thanking his associate, Akeem Ogara, for managing his social media accounts throughout the duration of his military training.

Momodu's enlistment marks an unexpected but remarkable transition from Nigeria's film industry to military service, adding a new dimension to his personal journey while highlighting the discipline and commitment required to pursue a career beyond the entertainment world.