Veteran Nollywood actress Omotola Jalade-Ekeinde delivered one of the most memorable moments of the 46th Miss Nigeria Patrons & Board Dinner when she politely but firmly declined a young presenter’s request to introduce herself during a live segment.
The incident took place on Sunday at the high-profile event, which also featured the Daily Times Young Fashion Designer of the Year Award. In the now-viral video, the visibly inexperienced presenter approached the actress and said, “Alright, welcome to 2026 Miss Nigeria dinner. I am currently live with…?” clearly expecting Omotola to complete the sentence with her name.
Omotola paused, visibly surprised by the question, before responding with a mix of disbelief and amusement.
“You are here with who? I should tell you my name? You are not ready.”
When the presenter tried to clarify that he knew who she was and only wanted fans to hear it on camera, Omotola remained unmoved. “Why should I let fans know me? I am tired,” she replied before attempting to walk away from the interaction.
Fans noted that as one of Nigeria’s most recognisable faces with over three decades in the industry and more than 300 films to her credit, the request felt unnecessary to her. The presenter’s attempt to salvage the moment by saying he just wanted to introduce her properly did little to change her stance.
The video has sparked conversations about interview etiquette and the expectations placed on celebrities during public events.