Popular media personality IK Osakioduwa has shared how changing his surname marked a defining moment in both his personal and professional life. Speaking during an interview with actress and presenter Nancy Isime on her show aired on Saturday, IK opened up about the journey that led him to adopt the name Osakioduwa.

Recounting a visit to a military hospital in Ikeja alongside his father, who served in the Nigerian Army, IK said a routine moment of identity verification sparked a profound self-realisation.

“My dad was in the army. There was something I needed to get treated for medically, and we went to a military hospital,” he recalled. “Because it’s a military hospital, you have to state who you are, whose child or ward you are. 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.”

At the time, he was still using his former surname, Obiara. That hospital visit, combined with a personal spiritual awakening, inspired him to begin re-evaluating his identity. Drawing parallels to the biblical story of Jacob—whose name changed after wrestling with God—IK began researching the origins and meanings of his name.

“I found out my surname had connections to some deity. I was like, what does that mean? I’m a Christian. I wanted a name that aligned with my faith and purpose.”

The decision didn’t come easily. IK described a four-year struggle to get his father’s approval for the name change. With quiet support from his mother and sustained prayer, he eventually adopted the name Osakioduwa.

Breaking down the meaning of the name, he said, “I know ‘Osa’ is God. ‘Ioduwa’ means God opens the door to wealth. Now that’s a name.”

According to him, the change was more than symbolic—it was transformative. “That name literally changed my life. My door to wealth opened,” he said with a smile.

Since then, IK Osakioduwa has become a household name, known for his charisma on radio, television, and major events across Africa. For him, the surname shift wasn’t just about branding—it was a declaration of purpose.