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Enioluwa Explains Why Nollywood Relies on the Same Faces in Films

On November 11, 2024, Nigerian actor and social media influencer Enioluwa took to X (formerly Twitter) to address the ongoing criticism of Nollywood’s casting choices, particularly the frequent use of the same actors in films.

The conversation was sparked when actress Jemima Osunde posted about the new YouTube film Fame and Fury.

A user criticized the Nigerian film industry for overusing the same faces, stating, “I’m sincerely tired of seeing the same faces in this damn industry.”

Osunde responded sharply to the comment, defending the industry’s actors, saying, “We’re tired of seeing your face too in your office. Damn! I hope they sack you.”

Enioluwa then stepped in to explain why Nollywood often casts familiar faces in films.

He explained that unlike Hollywood, which can afford to pay actors millions, Nollywood operates on a much smaller budget.

“People often say they’re tired of seeing the same faces in Nigerian films, but actors in Nigeria can’t afford to do just one film a year,” he stated.

He emphasized that the financial constraints of the industry mean that many actors in Nollywood must take on multiple projects to make ends meet.

He added, “The industry currently can’t support as many newcomers as people might expect because many of them wouldn’t be able to meet their basic needs.”

Enioluwa also pointed out the vast difference between Nollywood and Hollywood.

He explained, “We don’t have the buying power yet; it’s growing because streaming platforms have come in and people have made more records at the box office.

But you can’t compare it to Hollywood. An Avengers film that made over $2 billion can pay its actors millions of dollars and still have enough profit.”

When asked by another user for solutions to this issue, Enioluwa admitted that the Nigerian film industry is still in its developmental stages.

While Nollywood is expanding and attracting more attention through streaming platforms, it is not yet at the financial level of Hollywood, making it difficult to diversify casting as much as some critics would like.

He concluded, “We don’t have the buying power yet, but things are improving.”

Enioluwa’s comments highlight the struggle many actors and filmmakers face in Nollywood, balancing creative desires with financial limitations.

As the industry continues to grow, it remains to be seen how it will address the demand for new talent while still sustaining the careers of the industry’s most established faces.

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