Nollywood actress and producer Uchenna Nnanna Maduka has opened up about the terrifying 2013 accident that nearly claimed her life, describing the desperate moments doctors fought to keep her alive.
In an emotional interview with Chude Jideonwo on the WithChude platform, the award-winning star recounted how the crash left her fighting for survival.
“2013 was the first accident I ever had. The accident that almost took my life. It was on a Monday, and they had to put me on oxygen because I was almost going. They put oxygen on me to try to revive me, put drips; they were doing a whole lot. I was in the hospital for three weeks,” she said.
The incident, which contemporary reports confirmed as a serious auto crash while she was driving, marked a dark chapter in her life. Doctors placed her on oxygen and administered intensive treatment as her condition hung in the balance.
The near-death experience compounded earlier trauma for the actress. She lost her elder sister, Olaedo Nnanna, in the Sosoliso Airlines plane crash of December 10, 2005, a tragedy that also claimed the life of Pastor Bimbo Odukoya and many others. The loss left Uchenna with a lasting phobia of flights that took years to overcome.
“I have a phobia of flights. It took me years to start flying again after I lost my sisters,” she shared.
Uchenna has previously spoken about becoming an orphan after losing both parents, with her father passing shortly after her white wedding and her mother, Romana Nnanna, dying in 2020. She has continued to honour her late sister’s memory, including rededicating her African Magic Viewers’ Choice Award win to her.
Surviving the 2013 accident stands as a powerful testament to her resilience. Today, Uchenna Nnanna remains active in Nollywood as an actress and producer, turning personal pain into quiet strength. Her candid account serves as a reminder of how close she came to losing everything and the fight that brought her back.