Veteran Nollywood actor, Kanayo O. Kanayo, has voiced sturdy issues about what he described as a disturbing development in Nigeria’s movie trade, particularly on YouTube the place casting is now pushed extra by recognition and look than real appearing capability.
Born Anayo Modestus Onyekwere, Kanayo O. Kanayo is considered considered one of Nollywood’s most iconic pioneers, having come into the limelight together with his position within the 1992 blockbuster Dwelling in Bondage.
With greater than three a long time within the trade, he has persistently positioned himself as a defender of expertise, high quality, and professionalism in filmmaking.
In a video message shared on his Instagram web page on Monday, the seasoned actor introduced a shift in his personal method, pledging to focus on working with new and under-recognized performers moderately than chasing after already standard names.
“I’ve determined to take my future in my very own palms because it pertains to my platform on YouTube,” he mentioned.
“Film making shouldn’t be about having a effective face, it’s about being a great actor, a great performer. So, with or and not using a effective face, that’s what I’ve determined to do. When you don’t prefer it, nicely, that’s fairly unlucky.”
He drew parallels with the early years of Nollywood when, in line with him, sponsors and promoters sidelined promising actors who didn’t seem marketable, thereby ending many careers prematurely.
“There was an incident a few years in the past once we had been attempting to deliver up this Nollywood enterprise, about 25 years in the past. Some sponsors awakened and began branding actors: ‘this one shouldn’t be a great one, this one doesn’t promote movies.’ They killed the careers of these guys. I can point out names, however for the sanctity of this broadcast, I received’t,” he mentioned.
Kanayo warned that the identical damaging development is now returning by means of digital platforms.
“Such a factor is starting to rear its ugly head once more. The acclaimed YouTube faces are starting to deliver up the identical factor, killing abilities within the trade,” he lamented.
He criticised what he sees because the monopolization of roles by a small group of actors who dominate YouTube-based productions, insisting that this apply stifles innovation and leaves new abilities stranded.
“A few of these guys will let you know they aren’t free from September 2025 until August 2026.’ How then can we maintain the content material you watch? How can we create magic? How can we encourage new actors to come back into the enterprise? I don’t need any producer to name me for a job as a result of I’m a promoting face on any platform. Name me as a result of I can ship,” he careworn.
The actor reaffirmed his dedication to grooming contemporary abilities by means of his YouTube channel, *Kanayo O. Kanayo TV,* whereas urging different stakeholders to worth capability over hype.
“When you’re a brand new face, come on, let’s do magic on Kanayo O. Kanayo TV on YouTube. Let’s create tales with individuals who can ship, who can act,” he urged.
He expressed frustration on the cycle of repeating errors in Nigeria’s artistic house, however remained hopeful that the present obsession with “faces” will finally fade.
“I don’t know why when issues come to Nigeria, there’s all the time a somersault, and this somersault is occurring now on YouTube. However I need to make use of my life’s philosophy to say: this too shall go.”
