Tonto Dikeh Embraces ‘Evangelist’ Title, Drops ‘King Tonto’ After Eight Years

Tonto Dikeh Embraces ‘Evangelist’ Title, Drops ‘King Tonto’ After Eight Years

Nollywood actress Tonto Dikeh has officially dropped the name “King Tonto,” eight years after adopting the title, announcing that she now prefers to be addressed as Evangelist Tonto Dikeh and other faith-inspired names.

The actress made the declaration in a recent Instagram video, describing the decision as part of a spiritual realignment and obedience to what she called divine instruction.

Dikeh had stunned fans in 2018 when, months after her separation from her former husband, Olakunle Churchill, she announced that she had changed her name to King Tonto. At the time, she even shared a photo of her voter’s card reflecting the new name and wrote that she was “opting for greatness.”

Now, nearly a decade later, the actress says she is moving in a different direction.

“It gladdens my heart that I can do this on the first day of March; it just aligns with the prophecy of God upon my life that He’s marching me away from everything that is old and into the prophecies that are new every morning,” she said in the video.

She added that she would no longer be addressed as King Tonto, stressing that the decision was made “on the instructions of the Holy Spirit” and in alignment with God’s purpose for her life.

According to her, she is comfortable being called Woman of God, Evangelist Tonto, Tonto Dikeh, Aunty Tonto, or even Big T  but not King Tonto.

The development is widely seen as another step in what the 40-year-old actress has described as a deep spiritual rebirth. In recent months, Dikeh has spoken openly about her renewed faith and personal transformation, including reconciling with her former husband after years of public disputes.

In February, she announced her graduation from a discipleship programme at Streams of Joy International, led by Jerry Eze. She shared her certificate online; notably still bearing the name King Tonto Dikeh and described the programme as life-changing.

“My mornings are filled with tears of gratitude. God has been rebuilding me from the inside out,” she said, reflecting on what she called a profound emotional and spiritual restoration after years of controversy and personal struggles.

Dikeh also disclosed that she has joined the church’s Temple Keepers Department full-time, committing herself to voluntary service within the congregation.

Thanking her fans for standing by her “from a mess to a message,” the actress said the name change represents not just a shift in title, but a new chapter in her journey of faith and purpose.