Nollywood actress and art curator Chidera Adiele has made an emotional appeal for support as her younger brother continues a years-long battle with drug addiction and mental illness.
In a video shared on Instagram, Adiele revealed that her brother’s struggles began in 2019, shortly after he secured admission into the university. According to her, his condition deteriorated during his first academic session in 2020 and has since required repeated psychiatric treatment.
She disclosed that he has received care at several mental health facilities across the country, including the Federal Neuro-Psychiatric Hospital, Yaba, the New York Psychiatric Hospital in Abeokuta, Concept One, a psychiatric facility in Gbagada, a hospital in Benin, and most recently the 68 Nigerian Army Reference Hospital, Yaba.
Adiele explained that her brother spent three months at the military hospital before he was discharged because the facility could no longer keep him beyond its admission period.
She said he was later taken to Zion Ministry for spiritual intervention, but his condition reportedly worsened after returning home.
The actress also opened up about the personal impact the situation has had on her family. She said she moved out of the family home five years ago to protect her daughter, but her parents and brother eventually relocated to her residence after they were asked to vacate their former apartment.
According to Adiele, she has remained her brother’s primary caregiver throughout his treatment, bearing much of the financial and emotional burden with little improvement in his condition.
“I’m the first child. I’m tired. I’m so tired of carrying responsibilities that I had no business carrying,” she said.
She also accused her parents of failing to take adequate responsibility for her brother’s care, saying she no longer wants to shoulder the burden alone.
Adiele further disclosed that there have been occasions when members of the public contacted her after seeing her brother wandering the streets of Lagos unclothed.
Concerned for her daughter’s safety, she said she has considered finding separate accommodation for her brother but has been unable to do so because of the high cost of housing.
Making a final appeal, the actress said she has exhausted every option available to her and urgently needs assistance.
“I’ve done what I can do. I’ve carried him everywhere that I can carry him to… I’m tired. Please, I’m drowning. I need help,” she said.
Her appeal has drawn attention to the challenges many families face in caring for loved ones living with severe mental illness and substance use disorders, including the emotional, financial and caregiving pressures that often accompany long-term treatment.
