“The Screens Have Missed Me”: Actress Peju Ogunmola Returns Stronger After Heartbreaking Loss of Her Only Son

Nollywood actress Peju Ogunmola has broken her silence for the first time since the painful loss of her only son, opening up her heart to fans and colleagues in an emotional message that has touched thousands across Nigeria’s entertainment industry. The veteran actress, who has been off the screen for several months, returned to social media with words that reflected grief, gratitude, and a renewed sense of purpose.

On her official Instagram page, @official_pejuogunmola, she shared a heartfelt post that read: “A new month, a new dawn. The past months have been heavy, but your love, prayers, and condolences have carried me through the storm. Today I rise, stronger, grateful, and ready to embrace my passion again. The screens have missed me… and I’m back, doing what I love most.”

The message, simple yet deeply powerful, marked the actress’s first public statement since tragedy struck her family. For fans who have followed her career spanning over three decades, the news of her son’s passing had been a devastating blow, and her silence since then left many worried about her emotional state. Now, her words signal not just a comeback, but a testimony of strength in the face of unimaginable pain.

Within hours of her post, tributes and words of encouragement flooded her comment section. Fellow actors, producers, and loyal fans expressed their love and admiration for her resilience. One fan wrote, “Mama, you have always been a strong woman. Welcome back, we missed your magic on screen.” Another added, “No mother should ever go through that pain, but you came out shining. God bless you for your strength.”

The loss of a child is often described as one of life’s greatest sorrows — a pain that never truly fades. For Peju Ogunmola, the period following her son’s death was a test of faith, resilience, and love. Known for her radiant smile and motherly presence both on and off-screen, she had to navigate one of the darkest moments of her life while away from the spotlight. Friends close to the actress revealed that she chose to retreat from public life to heal privately, surrounded by family, prayer, and reflection.

Her return now feels like a symbolic sunrise after a long stormy night — a reminder that grief may bend but not break the spirit of those who choose to live again. Peju’s message, “The screens have missed me,” resonated not only with her colleagues in Nollywood but also with many who have faced personal losses and found solace in her words.

In the comment section, notable industry figures such as Femi Adebayo, Toyin Abraham, and Funke Etti left heartwarming messages. Toyin Abraham wrote, “Welcome back, mummy! We love you and we celebrate your strength. God will continue to heal you.” Another colleague, Femi Adebayo, commented, “We have missed your presence, ma. The industry is not the same without your grace and energy.”

It is not the first time Peju Ogunmola has shown resilience in the face of personal challenges. Born into the legendary Ogunmola theatre family, she has lived through several phases of Nigeria’s entertainment evolution — from stage to screen — carrying with her the legacy of her father, the late Kola Ogunmola, and her husband, the renowned actor and director Sunday Omobolanle, popularly known as “Papi Luwe.”

Her journey has never been without trials, but through it all, she has embodied the quiet strength that defines many of Nollywood’s pioneers. Her ability to transform personal pain into creative energy has inspired younger generations of actors who see her as both mentor and mother figure.

In her emotional note, Peju did not dwell on the details of her son’s passing but instead chose to focus on gratitude. The phrase “your love, prayers, and condolences have carried me through the storm” suggests that she found comfort in the outpouring of support from fans and friends. For months, people had sent her messages of love, visited her home, and lifted her in prayer. That communal support, she said, helped her to rise again.

The timing of her message — shared at the beginning of a new month — seems deliberate, symbolizing renewal and hope. For many who read her post, it wasn’t just a celebrity announcement; it was a message of rebirth. Her words “A new dawn” reminded fans that healing is not the absence of pain but the courage to live through it.

In the Nigerian entertainment landscape, where fame often hides private struggles, Peju Ogunmola’s openness felt refreshingly human. She didn’t announce her return with glitz or drama, but with humility and gratitude. That authenticity struck a deep chord with fans who have always connected to her natural charm and motherly grace.

As she returns to her craft, expectations are high. Producers and directors who have long admired her skill are already hinting at upcoming projects that could feature her. Her presence on screen has always been magnetic — the kind that draws audiences in with warmth and sincerity. Many are eagerly waiting to see her bring that same emotional depth, perhaps even richer now, after all she has endured.

Her fans, especially those from the Yoruba film industry where she is most celebrated, say her comeback feels like a piece of Nollywood’s heart being restored. She represents an era of genuine storytelling, where passion and cultural authenticity defined every performance. Her reappearance signals not just her personal healing but also a revitalization of that nostalgic spirit in the industry.

For Peju Ogunmola, returning to the screen is more than just a career move — it’s an act of faith. Her post echoes a woman who has fought through grief and found meaning again in her art. By choosing to embrace her passion once more, she reminds everyone that creativity can be a powerful path to healing.

As one fan poetically wrote under her post, “Your pain gave birth to new strength, and your silence gave birth to a louder message — that no matter how dark the night, the dawn will come.”

Indeed, Peju’s dawn has come. Her message radiates hope, strength, and gratitude — a testament that even after life’s deepest losses, love and purpose can still thrive. As she steps back into the lights, it is clear that the screens may have missed her, but she is returning brighter than ever — a phoenix rising from the ashes, ready to tell new stories, to laugh again, and to remind everyone that even broken hearts can still create beauty.

Her fans, her colleagues, and an entire generation that grew up watching her timeless performances will be waiting — not just to see her act again, but to witness her new chapter unfold. Because in Peju Ogunmola’s story, pain didn’t have the final word — strength did. And as she said so simply yet powerfully, “The screens have missed me… and I’m back.”