Nigerian actor Victor Udochukwu Nwaogu, popularly known as Nkubi, has revealed that repeated job rejections linked to his physique played a major role in his decision to pursue a career in acting.
Speaking on the stigma of being a little person during a recent episode of the One On One podcast, where he appeared alongside his wife, Nkubi said he only fully understood the reality of his condition after secondary school when he struggled to secure even minor jobs.
According to him, while growing up he knew he was different, but the impact became clearer when opportunities began to close.
“As a child, you barely understand your reality, but you knew you were different from every regular person,” he said.
“When the reality of being a little person first hit me was when I finished secondary school and I couldn’t secure minor jobs like others.”
The actor said the experience of discrimination ultimately pushed him toward the entertainment industry, where he has since built a successful career.
Nkubi also shared concerns about his daughter, who he said is already facing similar stigmatisation from internet trolls who make hurtful remarks about her size.
Despite knowing there was a possibility of having a child with dwarfism, he explained that he and his wife were emotionally prepared for it. However, the couple admitted that online bullying still takes an emotional toll.
His wife recounted that a doctor once advised her to get pregnant by another man to avoid having a child with dwarfism — a suggestion she firmly rejected.
She said although they anticipated societal bias, seeing their child targeted remains painful.
The couple called for greater empathy and understanding toward people with dwarfism, stressing that no one should be judged or limited because of their physical appearance.
