Veteran Nollywood actor and filmmaker Yul Edochie has called on Nigerian actors to prioritise professionalism and excellence over the size of their pay cheque.
The outspoken star took to Instagram to share a powerful message about the importance of dedication to craft, regardless of the fee attached to a role.
According to Edochie, an actor who accepts a modest payment, even as low as ₦10,000, should strive to give a world-class performance, describing it as the path to greatness in the industry.
“As an actor, if you accept a 10k fee for a movie role, you must give a 100 million dollar performance,” he wrote. “Don’t give a 10k performance because you were paid 10k. That’s your road to failure.
Even if you agree to do the job for free, you must give a 100-million-dollar performance. That’s what the acting profession demands. That’s your road to greatness.”
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Edochie’s message comes at a time when Nollywood continues to expand its influence on the global stage, with Nigerian movies gaining recognition at international film festivals and streaming platforms.
Industry experts argue that for Nollywood to compete globally, there must be a sustained commitment to quality acting, production values, and storytelling.
He warned against mediocrity, saying that compromising on performance because of low pay ultimately limits an actor’s growth and harms their reputation.
