Veteran Actor Opens Up on Depression, Industry Struggles and Why Some Nollywood Stars Fail After Comebacks

A veteran Nollywood actor has opened up about battling severe frustration during the early stages of his career, revealing that he once considered buying his own coffin after struggling with poverty, rejection and unpaid earnings.

Speaking in a recent interview, the actor recounted how financial hardship and public criticism pushed him to the brink in his late 20s.

According to him, he could barely afford a meal a day at the time, while many people branded him lazy for leaving the teaching profession to pursue acting.

“I was ferociously frustrated. I thought the only thing I could do was to get rid of myself,” he said.

The actor disclosed that veteran theatre practitioner, Pa Olatunbosun Odunsi, intervened after learning about his emotional state. He revealed that the late-night counselling session with his mentor became a turning point in his life and career.

He also recalled how unpaid allowances from his television programme at NTA 12 worsened his struggles, noting that despite earning just N500 per episode, he was often denied full payment for completed jobs.

Determined to survive, the actor said he eventually accepted roles he would normally reject and began pushing harder for opportunities, a journey that later led to his breakthrough in the industry.

Reflecting on the current state of Nollywood, the veteran argued that many entertainers focus too heavily on fame instead of discovering their true talents within other aspects of theatre and filmmaking.

“Everybody wants to act, even those who cannot act,” he said, adding that excellence and consistency remain the key to longevity in the entertainment industry.

He also weighed in on the recurring complaints by veteran actors over poor pay, lack of respect and limited opportunities, insisting that some actors who left the industry for years cannot expect to return and displace those who remained active.

“For those trying to come back now, it’s like starting all over again,” he stated.

According to him, many returning actors wrongly claim decades of industry experience despite spending long periods away from the profession.

The actor advised entertainers to maximise opportunities while they are relevant and avoid staying too long in careers that are no longer yielding results.

“Entertainment is not something you can monopolise. People come and go,” he added.