Popular Nigerian actor and comedian Saka has spoken candidly about the reasons behind his late entry into marriage.
Saka, whose real name is Afeez Oyetoro, in a recent interview with media personality Chude Jideonwo on the With Chude podcast, the beloved actor shared personal details about his life, career journey, and the challenges he faced before settling down.
Saka shares reasons
Saka, who also serves as a theatre arts lecturer at the Lagos State University of Education, revealed that he didn’t get married until the age of 40. He attributed the delay to a mix of personal insecurities and financial instability.
“I lacked confidence,” he admitted. “I’m a very reserved person. I got married late because of two major reasons: myself and my profession.”
No money in theatre arts
The veteran actor explained that, at the time he was building his career, theatre arts was not a lucrative profession. While many pursued it out of passion, there was little to no recognition or financial reward.
“There was no money in theatre arts back then. Nobody even recognised the artistes. We were just doing it for the love of art,” he said. “And to make things worse, we were only taught how to act, not how to make money from acting.”
Saka recounted that he finished school without owning a single car or any valuable possessions. His lack of material success made it difficult for him to attract a life partner.
The actor shared a painful memory involving a woman he once considered marrying. According to him, she dismissed his career and mocked his prospects.
“One lady told me outright that I was wasting my life. She said I should leave the theatre and find something more relevant to do,” he recalled. “Another woman insisted I must own two cars before she could marry me. At that moment, something in me said, ‘This is not your wife.’”
Despite these setbacks, Saka remained committed to his craft. His love for acting kept him going even when the rewards were not visible.
How Saka found true love
Eventually, Saka met and married his wife, Olaide Oyetoro, in 2003. The couple has since been blessed with three children. Reflecting on his journey, he expressed gratitude for how things eventually turned out.
“Today, I’m paying school fees with grey hair,” he said with a laugh, showing appreciation for how far he has come despite the odds.
