Popular Nollywood actor Daniel Etim-Effiong has opened up about a brief but eye-opening chapter of his life, admitting that he once lived the lifestyle of a womanizer. In a candid interview with media personality Chude Jideonwo, the actor and former engineer shared insights into his past, revealing that he “explored” with multiple women at the same time, an experience he now considers more educational than enjoyable.
When asked directly by Chude if he was ever a womanizer before settling down, Etim-Effiong gave a thoughtful response:
“It depends on what is your definition of a womanizer.”
Clarifying, Chude defined a womanizer as, “A man who dates multiple women at the same time.”
Etim-Effiong responded:
“Maybe there was a time in my life I was. Definitions would differ, but in that definition, maybe there was a period in my life that I was, I wouldn’t say for long periods of my life. Maybe for some certain periods that I explored. So, perhaps.”
Pressed further on whether those were “good periods,” the actor admitted:
“Yes, they were periods of learning for me. If I learned, then they were good periods.”
Reflecting on what he gained from that phase, he noted:
“I learned that certain things don’t necessarily bring you the fulfilment that you think they would. On paper, it feels like that is the life, but in experientially maybe not.”
Etim-Effiong, known for his stellar performances in films and series such as Plan B and The Men’s Club, took a moment to share a powerful message with younger generations. He cautioned against glorifying or adopting the player lifestyle, stressing how difficult it can be to unlearn once it becomes a habit.
“I tell young people a lot that it is cool to be a player but if you develop that habit or lifestyle, you won’t automatically change overnight.
So, don’t develop something you don’t want to continue for the rest of your life. If you are not able to commit to one person, if you jump from one relationship to another, that won’t automatically change when you marry.”
He further explained that habits formed in one’s single life can easily spill into marriage, potentially damaging the union.
“When you marry that muscle hasn’t been developed so you encounter one challenge and you want to immediately jump or you just be like, ‘I’m talking to you, you are not listening to me, let me find somebody that would listen to me.’
If you are the kind of person that before you got married it was easy for you to just walk away, keep different relationships, keep ladies on the string, that won’t change when you get married.”
Etim-Effiong’s honesty has resonated with many online, with fans praising his transparency and maturity. The actor’s reflections serve as both a cautionary tale and a call for personal growth, especially among young men navigating relationships and commitments.