Nollywood actor Gabriel Afolayan has explained why Yoruba-language films are attracting more attention from audiences.

According to the actor, the growing success of Yoruba films is the result of years of hard work by filmmakers and actors who have remained committed to their craft.

Hard Work Is Paying Off

Speaking on the increasing popularity of Yoruba movies, Afolayan said the recognition did not come as a surprise because industry professionals have put in the effort over the years.

“There is nothing strange about it because we have put in the work. If one works hard, one should reap the dividends. If we are seeing the feedback, it’s worth it. So there is nothing strange about it because we have put in the work,” he said.

Meaning Behind His Nickname

The actor also shared the meaning of his nickname, Gabbylucciii, saying it reflects his personality and ambitions.

“Lucci means leader, Luciano, boss…someone at the top. And Gabby is coined from my name, Gabriel,” he explained.

Approach to Acting

Afolayan said he views every role as a learning experience. He noted that each character requires a different mindset, level of research, and preparation.

“All the roles stretch me. Maybe I don’t take things to heart too much. I see it for what it is and do it for what it should be. I am a student of the art, and I am still learning as well, so for me, everything is quite challenging. Different roles have different landscapes of approach. The thoughts, the mindset, the research; they are always on different levels. So you can’t really say this is above the other. I put myself through everything I have to go through to achieve every role,” he said.

Advice for Creatives

The actor encouraged fellow creatives to focus on doing their best work instead of seeking approval from others.

“Just love what you do, you can’t be scheming. Understand what you are supposed to do and do it. Let the audience give you the feedback. Yours is to get into the character, give it what it needs and let the audience feed you back on that,” he added.

Gabriel Afolayan is the son of the late filmmaker Adeyemi Afolayan, popularly known as Ade Love, and the younger brother of filmmaker Kunle Afolayan. He is known for films such as ‘Hoodrush’, ‘Aramotu’, ‘Coming from Insanity’, and ‘Citation’. He has also built a music career with songs including ‘Awelewa’ and ‘Kokoro Ife’