Veteran actor Richard Mofe-Damijo, also widely known across Nigeria and beyond simply as RMD, sat down with Morayo Afolabi-Brown on The Morayo Show recently and delivered one of the most candid and wide-ranging conversations he has given in years. He discussed purpose, legacy, love, loss, fatherhood, and what comes next for a man who has spent decades as one of Nigeria’s most recognisable faces.
A New Chapter at 65
RMD is approaching 65, but the significance of that number doesn’t seem to weigh heavily on him as it might for someone who has stopped pushing forward. He described this phase of his life as not a countdown but as a blessing, what he called ‘extra time.’
The reasoning behind this outlook is personal, as neither of his parents lived to see 65. This awareness, he said, motivates him to stay mentally sharp, physically active, and present. He spoke about refusing to ‘let the old person in’; a phrase that captures both his philosophy and daily discipline. 
18 Years as a Sunday School Teacher
One of the most surprising revelations during the conversation was the depth of RMD’s dedication to teaching outside his public career.
He shared that he served as a Sunday school teacher for 18 years; a role he describes as fundamental to who he is. He believes he was ‘born to teach’ and that if his life had taken a different path, education would have been his vocation. His long-term commitment to this role stems from a genuine desire to contribute to others’ growth rather than any sense of obligation.
Marriage, Trust, and Love Languages
RMD spoke warmly and in detail about his wife and the nature of their partnership.
He mentioned that her love language is gifts, and he makes a point of spoiling her with ‘the biggest things’ he can so she never has to ask for anything. He recounted a story that illustrates this clearly. When he received a major payment of 100 million naira, he instructed his manager to hand the entire sum over to his wife and let her do with it whatever she wished. For him, it wasn’t just generosity but a gesture of deep financial trust and a statement about their partnership.
The couple have been empty nesters for 15 years. RMD said his wife has maintained much of her privacy but has promised that one day she may start a podcast to share her side of the story, including what it’s like to be married to him.
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A Father Watching His Son Forge His Own Path
One of the more emotional aspects of the discussion centred on his son Tega and their collaboration on a project called Revelations.
RMD spoke with evident pride about watching Tega grow as an artist in his own right. He described this experience as a pivotal internal shift; the moment he had to stop being a protective father and instead become a supportive professional mentor. To him, the distinction is important. One role involves holding on, the other involves letting go. He said learning to embrace the latter has been a journey he hadn’t fully anticipated.
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Back to the Stage with Joke Silva
Looking ahead, RMD announced he is returning to his first love: theatre.
He and legendary actress Joke Silva are preparing a new theatrical production, with a two-month run planned alongside a tour that will take the show across Nigeria, the United States, and the United Kingdom.
RMD framed this as evidence that his passion for the craft remains alive, and that the screen, for all it has offered him, was always part of a broader story that began on stage.
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