Concerns over limited opportunities for new actors in Nollywood have resurfaced, as industry professionals highlight ongoing challenges facing emerging talent.
Speaking during a HipTV vox pop, Nollywood actor Lucky Alex pointed to the influence of cliques and a preference for familiar faces in casting decisions.
“We are still struggling, we have too many cliques. They believe in faces, not actors, even when unknown faces can make better movies,” he said.
Call For Intentional Star Development
Lucky Alex urged producers to be intentional about creating new stars by offering lead roles to fresh actors.
“They can make new stars, make a new person to play the lead role and let the star follow along,” he added.
Merit-Based Opportunities Emphasised
Nollywood actress Sharon Benson Adora also stressed the need for broader access and merit-based opportunities within the industry.
“I believe there are so many talented people in Nollywood the audience want to see. We need more room to allow talent to thrive; it should be based on talent,” she said.
Strengthening Nollywood’s Future
Both speakers agreed that while Nollywood continues to expand, greater emphasis should be placed on recognising and nurturing talent beyond established names.
Industry observers note that giving emerging actors more prominent roles could strengthen diversity and support the long-term growth of the sector.
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