Nollywood actress Jaiye Kuti has passionately called out the deep lack of genuine unity and support in the Nigerian film industry, revealing how colleagues failed to stand by her during a major career crisis while they eagerly celebrate superficial milestones like birthdays.
Speaking on the Oyinmomo podcast, the veteran actress lamented the crumbling relationships among practitioners, accusing many of “acting” like everything is fine despite shared struggles.
“Our relationship is gradually breaking down… Everybody is just acting like it’s okay. How is it okay?” she fumed.
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Jaiye Kuti highlighted the financial pressures of film production and cinema distribution, noting that many outsiders do not understand the heavy investments required for producers to break even. She questioned the public’s obsession with celebrities, asking:
“The people you’re emulating and looking at as an example, do you really want to know them? The people you call celebrities and follow on social media.”
The actress recounted her painful experience when cinemas removed her movie, leaving her to fight alone.
“Not one actor went to those cinemas or even supported me, despite the fact that we’re all going through the same thing,” she said.
She contrasted this silence with the industry’s quickness to send birthday wishes, revealing she has stopped the practice entirely.
“But if I celebrate my birthday the next day, they’d wish me a happy birthday. So I stopped wishing people a happy birthday because I don’t want anyone to wish me on my birthday. Please don’t,” Jaiye Kuti declared.
Her outburst has resonated deeply with many in and outside the industry, sparking conversations about fake friendships, selective solidarity, and the harsh realities behind the glamour of Nollywood. While some defend the “every man for himself” culture as survival in a tough business, others agree that true unity is missing when it matters most.