Actress Jaiye Kuti has raised concerns over what she described as a weakening sense of unity in the Nigerian film industry, saying practitioners no longer support one another during tough times.
Speaking on the Oyinmomo podcast, Kuti noted that many actors and filmmakers deal with similar challenges but prefer to keep quiet rather than speak up or stand together.
She said the trend affects relationships in the industry and makes collaboration more difficult.
According to her, filmmaking requires a huge financial commitment, yet many people do not understand the pressure producers face to recover investments from cinema releases and distribution.
Kuti also pointed out that the public often sees only the glamorous side of celebrities on social media, without knowing the struggles behind those images.
She shared her own experience after some cinemas pulled her movie from their schedules.
She said she raised the issue publicly but got no backing from colleagues, even though many of them have gone through the same situation.
The actress added that she has now stopped marking birthdays publicly because she does not want empty gestures from people who fail to show support when it matters.
She said, “Our relationship is gradually breaking down… Everybody is just acting like it’s okay. How is it okay? 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.
“Not one actor stood by me or went those cinemas or even supported me, despite the fact that we’re all going through the same thing.
“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.”
