I Kept Praying NYSC Would Post Me To The East, Because I’m The Only Girl My Father Has – Dada

Nollywood actress Omowunmi Dada has recounted how she worried about her safety after she was posted to Jigawa State for her National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) programme in 2011, revealing that she had hoped to serve in eastern Nigeria instead.

According to a video posted on Chude Podcast on Saturday, October 10, 2026, Dada shared the experience while reflecting on her participation in the mandatory national service scheme and the concerns she had when she received her deployment letter.

The actress explained that she had continued praying to be posted to the eastern part of the country because she was apprehensive about serving in Jigawa State at the time. Her concerns were linked to the security situation in northern Nigeria, particularly the activities of Boko Haram, which had raised fears about travelling to certain parts of the region.

Dada recalled that receiving the posting was difficult for her because she had not anticipated being deployed to a state where she felt uncertain about her safety. She explained that her preference for eastern Nigeria was influenced by her desire to complete the programme in an environment where she would feel more comfortable.

The actress also disclosed that her family circumstances played an important role in how she viewed the situation. Being her father’s only daughter made her particularly conscious of the risks associated with travelling to an unfamiliar location amid security concerns.

According to Dada, she understood that her safety was important to her family and believed that taking unnecessary risks was not something she could afford to do.

Recalling her reaction to the posting, the actress said she had hoped that the NYSC authorities would assign her to a state in eastern Nigeria, but she eventually had to confront the reality of her deployment to Jigawa.

In her words, Dada said, “But you know after I still had to, I’m the only girl my father has. You cannot be taking risks.”

Her account highlights the anxiety some prospective corps members experienced when they received postings to locations they considered unsafe, particularly during periods of heightened security concerns in parts of the country.

For Dada, the uncertainty surrounding her deployment was not simply about leaving home or adjusting to a new environment. It was also connected to concerns about the potential dangers she associated with the destination and the responsibility she felt towards her family.

Watch the video from 30:22 to 30:30 minutes.

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