Nollywood star Sharon Ooja marked her birthday on April 6th, 2025, with joyous celebrations and a heartfelt revelation about why this particular year holds special significance in her life. The actress shared stunning new photos on Instagram alongside gifts from her husband, whom she affectionately refers to as her “Odogwu.”
In her emotional birthday post, Ooja described this period as her “peaceful, joyful era” and revealed the deeper spiritual meaning behind her celebrations. “This year is so special to me. I call it the year God answered me, as it’s my year of rejoicing all through starting this month,” she wrote, expressing a profound sense of divine favor and answered prayers.
The actress further elaborated on her spiritual journey, referencing biblical promises: “God has said I should ask, and it shall be given. His answers to me are yes and amen.” Her caption reflected deep gratitude for what she described as God’s “peace, love, favour, grace, and protection” throughout her life journey.
Ooja’s birthday celebrations appear to have been enhanced by special gestures from her husband. While not detailing the specific gifts received, she hinted at their significance with the phrase “Odogwu dey work” – suggesting her husband (referred to by the Igbo honorific title “Odogwu,” meaning “great man” or “hero”) had made meaningful contributions to her birthday experience.
Birthday has been sooooo cute already,” she added, indicating the celebrations had begun on a high note even early in the day.
The actress’s birthday post quickly garnered attention across Nigeria’s entertainment industry, with numerous celebrities offering congratulatory messages and well-wishes. Leading the tributes was prominent filmmaker and actress Funke Akindele, who wrote, “My love. Happy birthday love you,” showing the close bond between the two Nollywood figures.
Veteran actress Shaffy Bello added her own warm wishes with “Happy birthday, baby. Love,” while film producer Mo Abudu offered more elaborate congratulations: “My darling, wishing you the happiest birthdays. Sending you abundant blessings. All my love.”
Male colleagues also joined the celebration, with actor Stan Nze writing, “Happy birthday, shrimp. Indeed, you would experience God’s peace through and through,” using what appears to be an affectionate nickname for the actress. Comedian Bovi took a slightly different approach with his message, “Happy Easter Sharon,” acknowledging the holiday season coinciding with her birthday.
Additional birthday wishes came from a who’s who of Nigerian entertainment, including Ini Dima Okojie, who called Ooja “the most gorgeous girl,” and reality TV star Dorathy Bachor, who described the birthday celebrant as “gorgeous.” Actress Juliet Ibrahim referred to Ooja as a “beautiful soul,” while former Big Brother Naija contestant Erica Nlewedim affectionately called her “my baby.”
The overwhelming response from colleagues highlights Ooja’s popularity and the strong relationships she has built within Nigeria’s entertainment industry. Messages from actresses Jemima Osunde (“My sister Happy birthday”), Bisola Aiyeola (“Happy birthday to my sweetest of hearts, my boo boo”), and dancer Kaffy further demonstrated the wide network of support surrounding the actress.
Sharon Ooja has established herself as a recognizable face in Nollywood through performances in various films and series. Her career trajectory has seen her transition from supporting roles to leading lady status, garnering a substantial following both for her acting talent and fashion sense.
While her post focused primarily on spiritual gratitude rather than career achievements, the celebration comes during what appears to be a flourishing period in both her personal and professional life. The reference to her husband as “Odogwu” suggests a relationship built on admiration and respect, though Ooja has generally maintained privacy regarding details of her marriage.
The actress’s emphasis on this being “the year God answered me” hints at previous prayers or desires that she believes have now been fulfilled, though she doesn’t specify the nature of these answered prayers. The spiritual framing of her birthday reflections resonates with many of her followers who share similar faith values.
Beyond the celebrity well-wishers, thousands of fans added their congratulations in the comments section, many echoing the religious sentiments expressed in her original post. This connection between spiritual testimony and personal celebration reflects a common cultural approach to significant life events in Nigeria, where achievements and milestones are often attributed to divine favor.
As Ooja celebrates another year of life, her birthday message reveals a woman finding joy and peace in both spiritual fulfillment and personal relationships. Her reference to this being her “peaceful, joyful era” suggests a positive outlook on the coming year and perhaps a new chapter in her already successful career.
The actress’s birthday celebration, coming early in April 2025, sets a positive tone for what she describes as her “year of rejoicing all through,” indicating expectations for continued blessings throughout the months ahead. With support from both her “Odogwu” husband and a wide circle of industry colleagues, Sharon Ooja steps into her new year surrounded by affection and well-wishes from across Nigeria’s entertainment landscape.
