'Aki Carry Pot, Pawpaw Carry Kettle': Aki's Wife Reveals How Nollywood Duo Shared Property After Living Together

Nollywood actress Stephanie Promise Ikedieze, wife of veteran actor Chinedu Ikedieze, popularly known as Aki, has offered fans a rare and humorous glimpse into the humble beginnings of her husband's decades-long partnership with Osita Iheme, better known as Pawpaw, revealing how the two friends divided their household belongings after they stopped living together as bachelors.

In a video shared online on September 10, Stephanie recalled that Aki and Pawpaw had lived under the same roof before they eventually went their separate ways, and when the time came to part, they approached the separation with the same comedic practicality that has defined their on-screen chemistry for over two decades. "Him and Pawpaw dey stay together before, as them wan pack comot, everybody dey share property. Aki carry pot, Pawpaw carry kettle," she said, sparking laughter as Aki sat nearby while his wife recounted the story.

The revelation painted a vivid picture of the duo's early years together, when they were rising through the ranks of Nollywood and sharing not just screen time but also the everyday realities of bachelor life. According to Stephanie, the items they shared included everyday essentials such as cooking utensils, furniture and other household items. "Before him and Osi (PawPaw) were living together as bachelors, as they were about to move out, they started sharing. One took pot, another took chair, another bed, another kettle, another spoon, even table," she recounted.

The video also shed light on Aki's personal habits away from the cameras. Stephanie described her husband as a man who is fond of keeping old household items and rarely agrees to buy new ones, noting that some of the items in their home have been with them for more than 13 years. "My husband no dey gree buy new things. Una legend, this man sabi save things. Some things in this house have been for over 13 years," she said, adding a layer of humour to the already entertaining revelation about his frugal nature.

The story of Aki and Pawpaw's shared living arrangement has long been a subject of fascination for fans of the iconic Nollywood duo. The pair, whose real names are Chinedu Ikedieze and Osita Iheme, rose to fame in the early 2000s with their breakout film *Aki na Ukwa*, which established them as one of the most bankable comedy partnerships in West African cinema. They went on to star together in over 50 movies, including hits such as *2 Rats*, *Baby Police*, and *Back from America*, becoming household names across the continent and beyond.

Their decision to stop living together came around the time Aki got married in 2011, a development that marked a natural transition in their personal lives. In a 2014 interview with Tribune, Aki addressed the separation, explaining that it was not the result of any conflict between the two friends. "There was no clash between us. Then, the owner of the property wanted to use it, so we both had to vacate the apartment. The truth must be told," he said, putting to rest rumours of a feud that had circulated in the media at the time. The clarification, however, did not stop fans from speculating about the nature of their relationship, making the latest revelation from Stephanie all the more satisfying for those who have followed their journey from the beginning.

The video has since sparked a wave of nostalgic reactions across social media, with fans celebrating the authenticity and simplicity of the duo's early days. For many Nigerians, Aki and Pawpaw represent more than just a comedy partnership; they are a cultural institution, a symbol of the golden era of Nollywood that continues to resonate with audiences of all ages. Their recent reunion for the 2021 remake of Aki & PawPaw and the upcoming cinema release of a new instalment in December 2026 have only deepened the affection that fans hold for the pair, who have remained close friends despite the physical distance that now separates their households.

The story of the pot and the kettle is, in many ways, a microcosm of the Aki and Pawpaw phenomenon itself—rooted in humility, defined by shared experience, and delivered with an irresistible dose of humour. It is a reminder that the most enduring partnerships are built not on grand gestures but on the everyday moments that bind people together, whether on a movie set or in a modest bachelor apartment where two friends divided their belongings and went their separate ways, carrying with them not just pots and kettles, but a bond that would stand the test of time.