Former Nollywood star Sandra Achums marked a significant family milestone this week as her 19-year-old son officially joined the ranks of the German armed forces. The proud mother shared the momentous occasion with followers worldwide, offering a glimpse into her life years after stepping away from Nigeria’s booming film industry.
Achums, who was once a household name in Nigerian cinema during the industry’s formative years, took to Instagram on Friday to announce her son’s enlistment in the Bundeswehr—Germany’s unified armed forces. The ceremonial oath-taking took place on March 21, 2025, representing a profound transition for both mother and son as he embarks on a path of national service to his country.
Today Friday, March 21, 2025, at 10:00 a.m, you took your ‘solemn oath of service’ to serve Der Bundesrepublik Deutschland,” Achums wrote, capturing the gravity of the occasion with evident maternal pride. “I’m so proud of you, son, and I know you’ll do great things. You are valued, loved and appreciated. It takes a special person to serve like you.”
The announcement provides a rare window into Achums’ life following her departure from the Nigerian entertainment scene. Once among Nollywood’s pioneering actresses during the industry’s explosive growth in the 1990s and early 2000s, Achums has maintained a relatively low profile since relocating to Germany, where she has built a life away from the cameras that once defined her career.
Her son’s enlistment specifically in the Informationstechnikbataillon 292—a specialized information technology battalion within the German military structure—suggests he may be following a technical career path within the armed forces. This specialized unit focuses on military communications infrastructure and cybersecurity, reflecting the increasingly technological nature of modern defense operations.
For many longtime followers of Nigerian cinema, Achums’ post serves as a poignant reminder of Nollywood’s evolution and the diverse paths its early stars have taken. During her active years in the industry, Achums featured in numerous films that helped establish Nollywood’s distinctive storytelling approach and build its massive pan-African audience.
Entertainment analysts note that Achums belongs to a generation of Nigerian actors who navigated the industry before its current international recognition and comparative sophistication. Many performers from this pioneering era have since transitioned to various pursuits both within and outside the entertainment world, with some, like Achums, establishing lives abroad.
The German military, known for its rigorous training regimen and professionalism, represents a significant commitment for the young man. Germany maintains a volunteer military service model, having suspended mandatory conscription in 2011. Young Germans who choose to serve undergo intensive basic training followed by specialized instruction in their designated fields, developing both military discipline and valuable technical skills.
For children of immigrants or expatriates like Achums’ son, military service often carries additional significance as both a practical career path and a profound statement of national belonging and integration. Germany has increasingly emphasized diversity within its armed forces, reflecting the country’s evolving demographic landscape.
The hashtag #bundeswehr included in Achums’ post references Germany’s unified armed forces, which combine army, navy, and air force under a single command structure. With approximately 183,000 active personnel, the Bundeswehr contributes to both NATO operations and broader international peacekeeping efforts, while maintaining its primary constitutional mandate of national defense.
Military service in Germany typically begins with a six-month probationary period, after which recruits can transition to longer-term service agreements. For those enlisting in specialized technical fields like information technology, the military often provides extensive professional training that translates well to civilian careers after service.
Fellow Nollywood veterans and fans quickly filled the comment section of Achums’ post with congratulatory messages, celebrating both the young man’s commitment and the evident success of Achums’ life transition. The moment reflects the evolving global diaspora of Nigerian talent, with former entertainment figures building lives and raising families across multiple continents.
For younger Nigerian cinema audiences who may not immediately recognize Achums’ name, her announcement offers an intriguing connection to Nollywood’s formative era. During her active years, Achums appeared in dozens of productions that helped establish the industry’s characteristic storytelling conventions and build its dedicated audience base across West Africa and beyond.
Cultural commentators note that Achums represents a generation of performers who worked during Nollywood’s “video boom” period, characterized by rapid production schedules, direct-to-video distribution, and distinctively Nigerian narrative approaches. This era laid crucial groundwork for the industry’s current international recognition and growing production sophistication.
While many details of Achums’ life in Germany remain private, her occasional social media updates have shown her embracing life in Europe while maintaining connections to her Nigerian heritage. As her son now formally enters German public service, his journey reflects the increasingly complex global identities forged by children of the Nigerian diaspora.
The timing of the announcement coincides with ongoing conversations about military service and national security across Europe, as geopolitical tensions have prompted many countries to reassess defense priorities and capabilities. Germany has gradually increased its defense spending and operational readiness in recent years, making military careers increasingly prominent options for young Germans.
For Achums, whose early career captured the imaginations of countless Nigerian film enthusiasts, this latest chapter in her family’s story demonstrates the remarkable trajectories that have carried Nollywood’s pioneers far beyond the industry’s Lagos origins. As her son dons the uniform of his chosen homeland, he embodies a new generation forging its own path while carrying forward the determination and adaptability that characterized his mother’s groundbreaking career.
As one chapter begins for the young recruit, Achums’ announcement serves as both a personal celebration and a reminder of cinema’s power to launch lives that eventually transcend the screen, unfolding across continents and generations in ways perhaps unimaginable when Nollywood’s cameras first began to roll.
