Chukwunonso Anozuma Bassey Iwuchukwu, professionally known as Nonzo (formerly Nonso Bassey), is a Nigerian singer, songwriter, actor, and model. He rose to fame as a top 8 finalist on The Voice Nigeria’s debut season and has since established himself across music and Nollywood.
Profile Summary
| Full name | Chukwunonso Anozuma Bassey Iwuchukwu |
| Date of birth | Circa 1988 (likely February 24) |
| Place of birth | Calabar, Cross River State, Nigeria |
| Nationality | Nigerian |
| State of Origin | Imo State (Igbo father) / Cross River State (Efik mother) |
| Partner | Not publicly married; has a girlfriend (keeps private as of 2020) |
| Children | None publicly known |
| Occupations | Singer, songwriter, actor, model |
| Net worth | Estimated ₦100-150 million ($60,000-$90,000 USD, 2024 rates); exact figures unavailable |
Early Life and Education
Nonzo Bassey was born in Calabar to an Igbo father from Imo State and an Efik mother from Cross River State.
He attended University of Calabar International Secondary School, graduating in 2006, then obtained a second-class upper degree in English and Literary Studies from Covenant University, followed by NYSC service in Imo State’s aviation sector.
Career
Bassey kicked off his professional music career in 2015 with a feature on “My Dream” by VJ Adams and rapper M.I, marking his entry into the industry. In 2016, he auditioned for The Voice Nigeria Season 1, delivering a standout cover of Seal’s “Kiss from a Rose” that earned a four-chair turn from judges including Waje, Timi Dakolo, TuFace, and Patoranking; he reached the top 8 live shows and signed with Universal Music Group Nigeria (later Universal Music West Africa).
His debut single “411” (2018, produced by Johnny Drille) became a highlight, praised by artists like Ric Hassani for its sweeping piano ballad style, followed by “For You” (2019).
In acting, he debuted as Dr. Emeka Kalu in the 2017 Africa Magic telenovela Battleground, earning acclaim for his on-screen chemistry with Ini Dima-Okojie. That year, he also starred in Wurukum Roundabout.
He continued with roles like Maxwell McPherson in From Lagos with Love (2018), Teacher in Tainted Canvas (2020), Olumide Sanni in The Smart Money Woman (2020 TV series), and Dejare in La Femme Anjola (2021).
In August 2022, he rebranded to Nonzo, releasing “Toyo” after a three-year music hiatus and opening for Aṣa in 2017 performances. His debut album Diary of a Lover Boy (11 tracks, December 2023) explores themes of heartbreak, frustration, anger, and love as an independent artist, solidifying his dual music-acting presence.
Personal Life
Nonzo maintains privacy around his relationships, with no public confirmation of marriage or children in recent accounts. As the only son among six siblings, he keeps a low profile on personal matters.
Net Worth
His wealth is estimated at ₦100-150 million ($60,000-$90,000 USD as of late 2024 rates) as of 2024, stemming from acting, music streams, performances, and modeling gigs, including properties like a Lagos home and luxury vehicles. Confirmed figures from major sources are not available.
Filmography
- Battleground (2017, TV) as Dr. Emeka Kalu
- Wurukum Roundabout (2017)
- From Lagos with Love (2018) as Maxwell McPherson
- Tainted Canvas (2020) as Teacher
- The Smart Money Woman (2020, TV) as Olumide Sanni
- La Femme Anjola (2021) as Dejare
- Love Like This (2022)
- Berserk (2022)
- Covenant (2022, TV)
- Usifo (2023)
- Bola’s Baggage (2023)
- Unscripted (2024, TV) as Frank
- Reckless Heart (2024)
- Under Wraps (2024)
- Princess on a Hill (2024)
- Penance (2025)
Discography
Notable releases feature the single “My Dream” (2015, feat.), “411” (2018), “For You” (2019), “Toyo” (2022), and his first album Diary of a Lover Boy (December 2023). He also opened for Aṣa in a 2017 performance.
Awards and Recognitions
Nonzo received a 2019 Headies nomination for Best Vocal Performance (Male) with “411” and a 2021 Africa Movie Academy Awards nod for Best Actor in a Leading Role in La Femme Anjola. No significant wins or updates from 2024-2026 have surfaced.
