Actor Tayo Faniran has alleged that favouritism and nepotism have made Nollywood’s award system unfair, with recognition often based on personal connections rather than talent.

Speaking with TVC, Faniran, who rose to fame after winning Big Brother Africa before becoming an actor, said his views were based on his experience in the industry.

“Some people made their own impression of me when I was younger and in Big Brother Africa,” he said.

Faniran argued that personal opinions can affect the opportunities given to actors. He also alleged that awards do not always reflect the quality of the work being recognised.

Faniran alleges favouritism in Nollywood

The actor claimed that some of the industry’s biggest names did not rise solely because of their talent.

“The film producers that you guys see and you know as the biggest are not the most talented. Same with directors. Same with actors,” he said.

Faniran cited The Fire and the Moth as a project he believes deserved more recognition. He said the film’s director, cinematographer and sound team should have received acknowledgement for their work.

He also accused some people in Nollywood of deliberately frustrating the careers of others.

“There are also, you know, people who are in the industry that, not that they know much or they have a lot to contribute, but theirs is just to sabotage people,” he said.

Faniran described some practices among the industry’s top players as “magomago”. He also pointed to nepotism and clique-based favouritism.

Actor compares Nollywood with Afrobeats

Faniran compared Nollywood with the Nigerian music industry. He said Afrobeats appears more open to emerging talent and new ideas.

According to him, Nollywood opportunities often remain within a smaller circle of established gatekeepers. He said this makes it harder for new talent to break into the industry.

Rather than wait for the system to change, Faniran said he has chosen to create his own opportunities.

He referenced his 2020 film Man Like Jimmy and his four-part series Bodija. Faniran said he personally funded the latter with more than N100 million.

“All that we need is just a fair hearing or a fair submission,” he said.

Faniran stressed that his criticism was not directed at any particular person. Instead, he described it as a wider problem within Nollywood.

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