“The Pay Was Nonsense” – Nollywood Star Deyemi Okanlawon Reveals Why He Quit Acting

Prominent Nollywood actor Deyemi Okanlawon has opened up about a lesser-known phase of his career, disclosing that he stepped away from acting in 2019 due to poor remuneration and a deep sense of dissatisfaction with the kind of work he was being offered.

Speaking during an appearance on the CreativiTea Podcast, the Nigerian film star explained that his decision to quit acting at the time was driven by frustration over low pay and what he described as substandard productions within the industry.

According to him, the situation made him feel unfulfilled and made him question his purpose in the profession.

“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 a 9-to-5 job to come and do mediocre work,” he said.

Okanlawon further explained that the daily struggle of waking up to work that did not inspire him became emotionally draining. He noted that despite his passion for acting, the lack of satisfaction eventually pushed him to step away and return to regular 9-to-5 employment for a period.

“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.

Beyond his personal experience, the actor also used the platform to address the wider challenges faced by celebrities in the entertainment industry. He criticised the constant judgment public figures receive on social media, saying many critics do not understand the pressures that come with fame.

He stressed that celebrities are also human beings dealing with real-life struggles, just like everyone else, and deserve more empathy from the public.

Okanlawon also took issue with the growing use of the term “eyebrities,” describing it as disrespectful and harmful. He warned that such labels unfairly diminish the efforts of people in the creative industry and contribute to a culture of negativity that can hinder personal and professional success.