LAGOS — Renowned Nollywood actor Deyemi Okanlawon has opened up about a pivotal moment in his career, revealing that he walked away from acting in 2019 due to deep-seated frustrations regarding remuneration and the overall quality of projects.
In the often-glamorized world of Nigerian cinema, where success is frequently measured by red carpet appearances and box office milestones, a recent revelation from one of Nollywood’s most recognizable faces has sparked a necessary conversation about the realities of the industry. Deyemi Okanlawon, a stalwart of contemporary Nigerian film, recently shared the deeply personal and professional struggle that led him to walk away from his acting career entirely in 2019.
A Quest for Professional Fulfillment
The actor’s admission came during an introspective episode of the CreativiTea podcast, which has resonated with audiences across digital platforms this week. Okanlawon’s decision to exit the industry was not born of impulsivity, but rather a profound sense of disillusionment regarding the remuneration models and the creative quality of the projects being produced at the time.
For an actor who had famously left a lucrative and stable corporate position to pursue his passion for the performing arts, the realization that his professional standards were not being met was particularly jarring. He described a scenario where the romanticized vision of the screen life collided with the harsh realities of a production landscape that he felt was failing both the artist and the audience.
"I quit acting in 2019," Okanlawon stated candidly during the podcast. "I quit because the pay was nonsense, the work was nonsense. And I just felt like I didn’t leave 9-to-5 work to come and do mediocre work."
The Struggle for Motivation and Creative Integrity
Okanlawon’s narrative highlights a critical issue often overlooked in discussions about the entertainment sector: the psychological toll of creative stagnation. He elaborated that the lack of professional satisfaction made it increasingly difficult to remain committed to his craft. For him, the inherent passion that initially drew him into the industry was no longer sufficient to sustain his mental or professional well-being in an environment he perceived as stagnant.
"It was difficult to wake up in the morning and go to work, and what is the point of being passionate about something and then not being fulfilled by it?" he added.
This sentiment points to a deeper systemic issue within Nollywood: the struggle for consistency in compensation and the pressure on actors to participate in projects that lack narrative depth or technical quality. For many, the choice is between staying in a high-volume, low-quality cycle or risking financial instability by setting higher creative boundaries.
From Screen to Corporate: Regaining Professional Footing
Following his departure from the acting circuit, Okanlawon took the bold step of returning to a traditional corporate 9-to-5 career. This transition allowed him to regain his professional footing, providing the financial stability and structural rigor he felt was missing from his artistic endeavors. This return to the corporate world was not an abandonment of his talent, but rather a strategic decision to prioritize his mental health and professional standards.
The actor’s revelation is more than just a headline; it is a candid reminder of the volatility inherent in the entertainment industry. It illuminates the tough, often invisible choices that successful professionals must make to preserve their well-being and maintain their creative integrity.
The Broader Impact on Nollywood
Okanlawon’s story serves as a catalyst for a broader dialogue regarding the health of the Nigerian film industry. As Nollywood continues to scale globally, attracting significant international investment and attention, his experience underscores the necessity for:
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Standardized Remuneration: Establishing fair pay structures that respect the professional expertise of actors.
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Investment in Quality: Moving beyond high-volume production to emphasize storytelling, technical excellence, and artistic development.
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Professional Support: Acknowledging the mental and financial pressures faced by creatives who are often forced to choose between passion and survival.
By sharing his journey, Deyemi Okanlawon has provided a valuable, humanizing look behind the curtain of stardom. His honesty offers a blueprint for other professionals—showing that growth often requires the courage to walk away from a situation that no longer serves one’s professional identity. Ultimately, his return to the screen suggests that when the industry evolves to meet the standards of its most dedicated contributors, the resulting art is inevitably more impactful.
