Effah, who addressed an interviewer during a conversation with
Saturday Beats
explained that she chose to leave Nollywood behind when she began feeling stagnant and noticed her films were no longer leaving a mark.
She mentioned that even though she entered the film business driven by enthusiasm, acting gradually turned into a pursuit of wealth, leaving her with an emptiness inside.
Prior to enlisting in the Navy, I had grown indifferent towards acting. I sensed stagnation and realized I was no longer contributing significantly to the film industry. Everything began to feel monotonous; merely a source of income rather than passion. My work failed to create the intended influence, which is something I deeply care about. Being just another actress producing overlooked films did not appeal to me,” she shared.
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Furthermore, Effah mentioned that she experienced an identity crisis and found it challenging to discover purpose beyond her acting career.
“I began to lose sight of my own identity as I immersed myself in the roles I played. I became unsure of who I truly was. Acting defined my sense of self so strongly that without it, I felt lost. I needed to return to square one and reconnect with my authentic self. This process lasted quite some time. While others simply observed that I wasn’t around much, the reality was that I had been absent for more than a year,” she revealed.
During her path to joining the American Navy, Effah mentioned that naval service was an integral part of her heritage. Coming from a military family, her father being a retired Navy commander contributed significantly to this legacy.
“I hail from a naval background; my family has strong ties to the navy. I attended the Nigerian Naval School located in Port Harcourt, which at that time was part of Rivers State. My father also served until he retired as a naval commander. This environment really spoke to me personally. Becoming part of the Navy seemed like an opportunity to pay tribute to my dad,” she shared.
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Effah revealed the challenges she faced when making the change, acknowledging that the transition was not simple, particularly considering her age.
“It was quite a hurdle since I had recently celebrated my 40th birthday. However, here I am, fulfilling my dream of becoming a sailor. Life in the U.S. is a whole new experience, and this opportunity truly pushed me,” she stated.