Nigerian actor Chinedu Ikedieze, popularly known as Aki, has opened up about the challenges he faced while growing up after being diagnosed with stunted growth.

In an interview with popular media personality, Chude Jideonwo, the actor said he became disturbed after he heard the doctor announce his condition to his mother.

He noted that he thought of ending his life when he was bullied by other children because he was not growing normally.

Narrating his story, Ikedieze said: "Something happened when I was nine years and six months old. I remember the doctor saying to my mum; ‘Madam, what he has is stunted growth."

“That was when I started hearing the words, stunted and retarded growth. I cried several times because I was bullied in school and even at home because I wasn’t growing properly. It got bad, there were times I thought of ending it all. Thank God I no grow for Lagos because Third Mainland Bridge no far o [sic].”

The celebrated actor said he was grateful to his mum for standing by him through those hard times.