By Benjamin Njoku
For Nigerian actress, producer, entrepreneur and content creator Nwobodo Chisom Faith, popularly known as Shugaplum, the journey into entertainment has never been a straight road. It has been defined by resilience, reinvention and an unwavering determination to keep moving forward despite life’s many setbacks.

Born into the family of Mr. Ikechukwu and Mrs. Uchenwa Nwobodo, Chisom grew up in circumstances that tested her strength from an early age. The third child and only daughter in a family of four, she lost her father at the age of three while her mother was pregnant with her youngest sibling.

The tragedy ushered in years of financial hardship.

Unable to consistently afford school fees, her mother relied on the support of relatives, forcing Chisom to move from one family home to another in pursuit of education. Eventually, when she became old enough to work, she returned to live with her mother and grandmother in her village, determined to contribute to her own future.

A native of Nkanu West Local Government Area of Enugu State, she attended Community Primary School, Obe, proceeded to Metropolitan Girls College, Enugu, for her junior secondary education, and later completed her senior secondary education at Technical College, Obe.

Despite the difficulties surrounding her upbringing, one thing remained constant: her passion for entertaining people.

According to her, the signs were evident from childhood.

“Even at a young age, I was the mother of dance in primary school. I was the youngest singer in my church choir and one of the most sought-after members of the drama group. I have always wanted to entertain people,” she said.

That passion eventually led her into the entertainment industry.

Chisom officially began her content creation journey in 2018, initially relocating to Asaba to pursue acting opportunities in Nollywood. However, her early experiences in the industry forced her to make a difficult decision.

She disclosed that she walked away from Asaba after encountering what she described as the disturbing culture of “sex-for-roles.”

Rather than compromise her values, she chose to leave and start afresh.

In 2019, she moved to Lagos and continued pursuing acting opportunities. Her career gained momentum as she featured in comedy skits and appeared in several Nollywood productions, steadily building her reputation within the industry.

In 2020, however, she took another bold step by temporarily stepping away from the spotlight to establish her restaurant business, Shuga’s Kitchen.

The venture became more than a business.

According to her, it became a classroom for life’s most valuable lessons.

“Running Shuga’s Kitchen taught me patience, consistency and strength. Above all, it taught me to keep showing up for myself even when the results were not in my favour,” she recalled.

Although the restaurant eventually paused operations, Shugaplum says plans are underway to relaunch the food business under a new identity and expanded vision.

Beyond acting and entrepreneurship, Chisom has also carved a niche for herself as a filmmaker and producer.

Through her YouTube platform, SHUGAPLUMSTUDIOZ, she has produced several projects that reflect social realities and emotional experiences.

Her debut production, a series titled “Chisom,” tells the story of an abused woman trapped in a marriage to a wealthy and influential husband. She later released the short film “The One My Heart Seeks,” which has emerged as the most-viewed production on her channel.

While continuing to feature in Nollywood productions, Shugaplum says her ultimate goal remains simple: to bring joy to people.

“I keep people entertained and make them laugh,” she said.

Looking ahead, the multi-talented creative is expanding her ambitions beyond her personal brand.

She revealed that her agency, DazzleDreams Agency, is developing initiatives aimed at supporting emerging talents struggling to find their footing in Nigeria’s highly competitive entertainment industry.

The agency plans to provide affordable support packages for aspiring content creators, musicians and young actors, helping them navigate the business side of entertainment while creating opportunities for sustainable income.

“Our motive is to make sure we put them through the right path while putting money in their pockets,” she explained.

For Shugaplum, success is no longer measured solely by fame or screen appearances. It is also about creating opportunities for others and proving that difficult beginnings do not determine one’s destination.

From a young girl navigating loss and hardship in Enugu to an actress, producer and entrepreneur shaping dreams in Lagos, Nwobodo Chisom Faith’s story is one of grit, purpose and the courage to keep reinventing oneself.

As she prepares to relaunch her businesses and empower the next generation of creatives, Shugaplum is not merely building a career—she is building a legacy rooted in resilience, authenticity and hope.