Media personality Chude Jideonwo has opened up about the deeply personal journey that led to the creation of his acclaimed “Interview Series With Chude” during a revealing conversation with filmmaker Mo Abudu. Speaking ahead of his milestone 40th birthday, Jideonwo shared how his own struggles with mental health and public scrutiny became the catalyst for one of Nigeria’s most impactful interview platforms.
“WithChude comes from a unique place. I was going through clinical depression in 2016, and in 2017, after overcoming it, I noticed I was trending on Twitter,” Jideonwo disclosed, recounting the painful period that would ultimately transform his career trajectory. The media entrepreneur found himself at the center of a social media storm related to his involvement in Nigeria’s 2015 election campaign, facing relentless criticism that continued unabated for three consecutive days.
The experience proved overwhelming for Jideonwo, who had already been battling depression. One day, I woke up, picked up my phone, saw the trend, and broke down in tears. I then called a colleague asking him why Nigerians hate me so much. He gave me an intellectual strategic answer but it was not what I was looking for because I was hurt,” he revealed, highlighting the disconnect between intellectual understanding and emotional processing of public criticism.
In a moment of vulnerability that would change the course of his professional life, Jideonwo turned to an unlikely source of comfort. So, I went on YouTube and searched ‘what do when people hate you. I came across an interview between Oprah Winfrey and Brené Brown,” he explained. The episode of Oprah’s “Super Soul Sunday” featured Brown discussing her viral TED talk on shame and vulnerability, including her experience of being attacked for her weight after stepping into the public arena.
The conversation between these two influential women resonated deeply with Jideonwo, offering him the emotional understanding he had been seeking. “They were talking about Brown’s viral TED talk on shame and vulnerability and how people attacked her for being overweight. So, she talked about how you have to be ready for backlash when you are in the arena without losing your ability to feel,” he noted.
This virtual encounter provided the healing that Jideonwo needed at a critical moment in his life. “The conversation healed me and that motivated the show, a show that heals people. The show was recorded by Oprah in Chicago or wherever and I was in Lagos being healed,” he reflected. This experience sparked a profound realization – that similar healing conversations were needed for African audiences facing their own struggles.
So, I said to myself that I would do a show like this but for Africans,” Jideonwo declared, articulating the vision that would eventually become “WithChude.” What began as a personal quest for healing has evolved into one of Africa’s most significant platforms for authentic conversation, vulnerability, and emotional intelligence.
Since its inception, “Interview Series With Chude” has featured candid conversations with prominent figures across Nigerian society, from entertainment stars to political leaders, business moguls to ordinary citizens with extraordinary stories. The show has become known for creating a safe space where guests feel comfortable sharing their most personal struggles, failures, and triumphs.
Media analysts note that Jideonwo’s approach represents a significant departure from traditional Nigerian interview formats, which often prioritize surface-level celebrity gossip over meaningful dialogue. By centering healing, vulnerability, and authentic expression, “WithChude” has helped normalize conversations around mental health in a society where such topics have long been taboo.
Dr. Ayomide Adebayo, a Lagos-based mental health advocate, observes: “What Chude has accomplished goes beyond entertainment. He’s created a platform that demonstrates how shared vulnerability can be transformative, not just for the individual but for entire communities. In a country where mental health services remain severely limited, these conversations provide a valuable resource.
Jideonwo’s background as a lawyer, journalist, and media entrepreneur equipped him with the professional skills to execute his vision, but it was his personal struggle that provided the emotional authenticity driving the project’s success. As co-founder of media group RED, which includes YNaija and The Future Awards Africa, Jideonwo was already an established figure in Nigerian media before launching his interview series.
The timing of Jideonwo’s revelation about the show’s origins—as he approaches his 40th birthday—adds poignancy to his narrative. Having built a successful career spanning two decades in media and advocacy, this milestone offers an opportunity for reflection on how personal challenges have shaped his professional evolution.
For many viewers, “WithChude” represents a refreshing alternative in Nigeria’s media landscape. In a culture often characterized by pretense and performed success, Jideonwo’s willingness to acknowledge his own vulnerabilities has created space for others to do the same. This approach has resonated particularly with younger Nigerians, who increasingly seek authentic representation of the full spectrum of human experience.
As “WithChude” continues to grow in influence and reach, Jideonwo’s story serves as a powerful reminder of how personal pain can be transformed into public purpose. In finding his own healing through Oprah and Brené Brown’s conversation, he discovered not just a personal solution but a template for creating similar healing opportunities for others across the African continent.
Jideonwo’s journey exemplifies how vulnerability, often perceived as weakness, can become the foundation of significant cultural impact. By channeling his experience with depression and public criticism into a platform that promotes emotional wholeness, he has helped advance important conversations about mental health and authentic living in Nigeria and beyond.
