Media personality, IK Osakioduwa, has said that changing his surname to Osakioduwa marked a turning point in his life and career.
He revealed this during a conversation with actress and host Nancy Isime on her show aired Saturday, where he described how the decision to drop his former surname came after a personal moment of identity awakening at a military hospital in Ikeja.
According to him, the shift began during a visit to a military hospital in Ikeja with his father, a serving officer in the Nigerian Army.
He recalled how something as routine as registering his name stirred an internal awakening.
“My dad was in the army. There was something I needed to get treated for medically, and we went to a military hospital. When you go there, because it’s a military hospital, you have to state who you are, whose child or ward you are,” he explained.
“I thought to myself, ‘I’m almost a full-on adult. And I’m still saying I’m so-and-so’s son?’ That moment made me realise I needed to wake up and start building my own identity.”
“Back then, IK’s surname was Obiara, but that encounter him to question everything was inspired by the biblical story of Jacob, whose name changed after wrestling with God.
“I started researching my own name. Then I discovered my surname is embedded in some deity somewhere. I’m like, what does that mean? No, I’m a Christian. So I was like, okay, I want a different name,” he said.
He explained further that what followed was a four-year battle to convince his father to approve the change. With quiet support from his mother, and after many prayers. He said, he finally adopted Osakioduwa—a name he believes aligns with his faith and destiny.
“I know ‘Osa’ is God. ‘Ioduwa’ means God opens the door to wealth. Like… now that’s a name,” he said, smiling.
Since the switch, IK says his life took a remarkable turn, both spiritually and professionally.
“That name literally changed my life. My door to wealth opened,” he added.
