Nigerian actor Deyemi Okanlawon has revealed that he walked away from acting in 2019 because he was dissatisfied with both the quality of work and the financial rewards the profession offered at the time.
The Nollywood star made the disclosure during a recent appearance on the CreativiTea Podcast, where he reflected on his career journey and the challenges that led him to temporarily leave the movie industry.
According to Okanlawon, despite his passion for acting, he found it increasingly difficult to remain committed to a profession that neither fulfilled him creatively nor rewarded him financially.
“So, I quit acting in 2019. 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,” he said.
The actor explained that the lack of fulfillment made it difficult for him to stay motivated, prompting him to return to a conventional office job.
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“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? So I quit and then went back to 9-to-5 work,” he added.
Although Okanlawon did not elaborate on what eventually drew him back to acting, he has since re-established himself as one of Nollywood’s leading actors, starring in numerous critically acclaimed films and television productions.
Widely regarded for his versatility and commanding screen presence, the actor has built a successful career featuring in blockbuster productions while also becoming one of the industry’s most sought-after performers.
His revelation has sparked conversations about remuneration, working conditions and career sustainability within Nigeria’s film industry, with many creatives continuing to advocate for improved welfare and better compensation for actors and other industry professionals.