Veteran Nollywood actor, Chiwetalu Agu, has opened up about the challenges actors faced in the earlier days of Nigeria’s film industry, revealing that despite their popularity, they were underpaid.
Agu, known for his iconic roles and witty parables in movies, shared his experiences in a recent statement, saying actors of his generation were often addressed with lofty titles like “Nnanyi,” “Dede,” or “Elder,” yet received as little as ₦10,000 to ₦15,000 for their performances.
“These younger generations will not understand how lucky they are at this time, where their talent can be appreciated by anyone, without anybody trying to act like a demi-god in their career,” Agu remarked.
He recalled that while actors of his time enjoyed fame, their financial rewards were often disappointing.
“Sometimes they will even owe you, and you will just forget about the money after numerous pleas for you to be paid.”
The Nollywood star expressed astonishment at how times have changed, recounting how his son showed him earnings generated from his Facebook page.
“I was very excited because some years back, I would have to stress and speak plenty of parables for ₦15,000.”
Agu’s reflections highlight the significant evolution in Nollywood, where actors and content creators now have better opportunities for financial growth and global recognition.