Nollywood actress Tonto Dikeh has celebrated her former husband Olakunle Churchill’s daughter on her birthday, describing the young girl as someone who feels like the daughter she never had.

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Dikeh shared a throwback video featuring herself, her son King Andre and her former stepdaughter as she marked the birthday with an emotional message.

The actress said the celebrant has brought humour, warmth and joy into her life, adding that watching her grow into an incredible person has made her deeply proud.

“Happy birthday to my favourite girl!” Dikeh wrote in the birthday tribute.

“You bring so much humour, warmth, and joy into my life, and watching you grow into such an incredible person makes me prouder than words can say.”

Dikeh went on to express gratitude for the relationship they share, describing the bond as one of the greatest blessings in her life.

“I am so deeply grateful to have you in my life,” she wrote.

“You truly feel like the daughter I never had, and loving you is one of my greatest blessings.”

She concluded the message by wishing the celebrant a beautiful and joyful birthday.

The affectionate tribute offers another glimpse into the evolving relationship between Dikeh and Churchill’s children, particularly following a series of public family moments involving the actress and her former husband this year.

Dikeh and Churchill, who were married in 2015 and share a son, King Andre, ended their marriage in 2017. Their relationship subsequently became the subject of considerable public attention before the pair appeared to establish a more cordial relationship around their son’s family milestones.

In January 2026, Churchill said his renewed relationship with Dikeh was centred on co-parenting rather than a romantic reconciliation. The former couple have nevertheless been seen together at family occasions.

Their son Andre’s 10th birthday celebration in February also brought members of Churchill’s wider family together, including his daughter, who attended the celebration. The occasion attracted attention because of the warm interaction between the children and Dikeh.

Dikeh has continued to show an affectionate relationship with Churchill’s daughter beyond those public family occasions.

In April, the actress was pictured with Andre and her former stepdaughter at a church service, further highlighting the connection between the family members.

Churchill has also spoken publicly about the bond between his children. In April, he shared a video of his daughter and Andre spending time together and expressed his commitment to his children.

The latest birthday message from Dikeh therefore comes against a backdrop of increasingly visible family interactions after years in which her relationship with Churchill was marked by public disagreements.

Rather than focusing on the past, Dikeh’s latest message centred on affection, gratitude and the relationship she has developed with the young girl.

Her description of the celebrant as “the daughter I never had” was particularly striking, suggesting that the bond has grown beyond the conventional relationship between a former stepmother and stepdaughter.

For Dikeh, the birthday was an opportunity to celebrate that connection and acknowledge the joy the girl has brought into her life.

The actress’s message also reflects a broader change in the way her relationship with Churchill’s family has been publicly presented in recent months.

The family’s shared appearances have increasingly centred on the children, with Dikeh and Churchill demonstrating a willingness to maintain family connections despite their history as a former couple.

The latest birthday celebration adds another warm chapter to that evolving family story.

For Dikeh, however, the message was ultimately about the birthday girl herself: a young woman she says has brought happiness into her life and whom she now regards with the affection of a daughter.

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Her closing wish was simple but heartfelt, as she prayed that the celebrant would have “the most beautiful, joyful birthday” and continued to grow into the person Dikeh proudly described in her tribute.