Chidinma

Chidinma Ekile, born on May 2, 1991, in Ketu, Kosofe, Lagos State, is a Nigerian singer, songwriter, and actress. Her musical journey began in her childhood, singing in her church choir from a young age and eventually serving as a music director. In 2010, at the age of 19, Chidinma gained national recognition after winning the third season of Project Fame West Africa. Following her victory, she released her debut single ‘Jankoliko’ featuring Sound Sultan and signed with Capital Hill/Goretti Company. Her career saw a significant rise with singles like ‘Kedike’ and ‘Emi Ni Baller,’ the latter earning Best Video at the 2014 Headies. She became the first female musician to achieve the number 1 spot on the MTV Base Official Naija Top 10 chart with ‘Emi Ni Baller’. In 2012, Chidinma won Best Female West African Act at the KORA Awards, further solidifying her position in the music industry.

In May 2021, Chidinma announced a career transition from secular to gospel music, marking a new chapter as a crusader of the gospel of Jesus Christ. This transition was publicly declared on her 30th birthday via her Instagram handle to her 7.5 million followers. Her first gospel single, ‘Jehovah Overdo,’ was released shortly after this announcement. She then released her debut extended play (EP), ‘New Season,’ in August 2021, and her second studio album, ‘Psalm 16,’ in October 2022, which included collaborations with artists like KS Bloom, Indira, and Buchi. Her third studio album, ‘The Road Best Travelled,’ was released in March 2025. This shift to gospel music was described by her new label, Eezee Concepts (also home to Mercy Chinwo), as a period of active waiting on God and preparation for her new path. Outside of music, Chidinma is also recognized for her philanthropic efforts, establishing the NMA Foundation to support visually impaired children and young people across Africa, a cause initiated due to her personal experience of being born blind for a few months.