Actor and filmmaker Jide Awobona has advised upcoming actors not to view acting as a shortcut to wealth, stressing that success in Nollywood comes through patience, consistency, and a genuine passion for the craft.
In an interview with Sunday Scoop, the Jenifa’s Diary star noted that although acting can become financially rewarding over time, those who join the industry solely for money may end up frustrated.
He said, “Fulfilling and lucrative are like two parallel lines. No passionate actor like me starts with the primary aim of making money. However, one may be fortunate to strike deals or get acting gigs that make you smile all the way to the bank. This usually comes to actors who are diligent, consistent, passionate, and exceptionally good. That is not to say that those who lack those qualities don’t get lucky, too.”
According to Awobona, the Nigerian movie industry has only recently begun to show significant financial potential, thanks to the involvement of streaming platforms that now purchase local content.
“The Nigerian movie industry only recently began to show strong financial promise, and that is largely because streaming platforms now acquire our content. This has given more investors the confidence to put money into productions without the fear of running at a loss. So we are gradually getting there. But anyone thinking of becoming rich overnight shouldn’t consider acting. You must be passionate first, learn and study the profession, then decide,” he added.
Awobona also reflected on the personal sacrifices actors often have to make, pointing out that the profession can be physically and emotionally demanding.
He said, “I have made several sacrifices. It is hard to point to one as the greatest because they come with the job. There are times I have had to cut family vacations short. I have paid extra money to change flight tickets immediately just to make it to set. I recently did this when we had to return to Nigeria on the next available flight and go straight to Oyo to film Lisabi by Lateef Adedimeji.”
Sharing how health challenges sometimes affect his work, the actor revealed that he has had to endure difficult situations on set due to his ulcer.
“My ulcer usually makes fasting difficult for me, and I only fast during Ramadan. But there was a time I had to fast on set and break with just water because of the production schedule. These are parts of what we deal with quietly, because at the end of the day, the work must be done,” he said.
