Renowned Nigerian actress, Bimbo Akintola, recently opened up about the financial difficulties faced by women in Nigeria, especially those in the entertainment industry.
During an interview on NollywoodHardcore with fellow actor Emmanuel Ehumadu, popularly known as Emma Labista, Bimbo highlighted the realities of finances in Nollywood and how the lavish lifestyles of some actresses raise questions about the source of their wealth.
In the interview, Akintola candidly said, “People always come up to me and say, ‘Look at actresses, they are so rich.’ I tell them, ‘I don’t know about that, because I’m not rich.’ We all know what the industry is about; we know how much people earn. So, if you see someone living large, you have to ask, where is the money coming from?”
Akintola explained that although platforms like Netflix and cinema films have boosted actors’ earnings, the money actors make is still not enough to explain some of the extravagant lifestyles seen on social media.
“We know how much we make in this industry. For instance, a whole film sells for about four million naira. Africa Magic had reduced payments at one point to just 1.2 million. So, unless you come from a rich family or have other businesses, the wealth we see in some places can’t all come from acting alone,” she added.
She also addressed rumors about actresses being linked with wealthy politicians. “Yes, we’ve heard stories about actresses dating politicians and getting paid for it. But it’s not just actresses; many women in Nigeria do this because poverty is so high. People do what they must to survive.”
Akintola emphasized that the financial struggles and pressures are not limited to actresses but extend to many Nigerian women, who feel the need to make ends meet by any means necessary. “A lot of women in Nigeria are doing whatever it takes to sustain themselves and their families. That’s the reality.”
She also expressed concern over the lack of unity in Nollywood, noting that this disunity among actors allows for unfair treatment and lower earnings. “In the music industry, artists are united, and they all get paid fairly. In Nollywood, it’s different. One person can ask for two naira, and another person will do the same job for one naira. That’s how the system works, and it’s hurting us.”
When asked if there was anything wrong with actresses dating rich men, Akintola responded, “If you’re married, of course there’s a lot wrong with it. But even if you’re single, and it’s with several people, there’s still a lot wrong. Forget about morals for a moment; think about the health risks. We all know that in Nigeria, after a few months in a relationship, people stop using protection.”
Akintola also urged young women to value themselves and avoid the pressure to use their bodies for financial gain. “I want young girls to understand that they are special. You can make it without a man. It might be hard, but it’s possible. You don’t need to lower yourself just to survive.”
She also offerred encouragement to women, saying, “You don’t need to do ‘ashawo’ to make it. You can succeed by using your talents and brains. Girls, I hope you’re listening—this is from your mentor.”
