Nollywood actor Kunle Omisore has spoken candidly about his journey in Nigeria’s film industry, shedding light on the complex realities behind the scenes and the persistent culture of gatekeeping that many actors face.
Describing his path as a necessary learning curve, Omisore noted that despite Nollywood’s growth in visibility and output, access to opportunities often remains tightly controlled.
He stressed that the gatekeeping culture affects both emerging and established actors, shaping their experiences within the industry.
“Everyone has different experiences, like I said earlier, it’s a learning curve,” Omisore said. “There are always gatekeepers in every industry. They either help you or cheat you.”
Sharing a personal anecdote, he recounted an early encounter with a film marketer who failed to pay the full amount for a movie project. Despite agreeing on ₦850,000, Omisore said he was paid only ₦450,000.
“A marketer once paid me ₦450,000 instead of ₦850,000 that we agreed on,” he said. “But he used my picture on the movie poster in a very visible manner. You can’t buy publicity; the marketers at that time were the ones who could give you publicity. So, to him, he gave me publicity and I became known.”
Rather than dwell on the setback, Omisore said he viewed the incident as part of his professional evolution, recognizing that recognition in the industry often comes at personal cost.
“I still see the marketer till date and we joke about it all,” he added. “I can’t call him out because it wasn’t a fight between us. There’s always a cabal.”
