Veteran Yoruba actor Dele Odule has admitted that many early Nollywood actors—including himself—missed out on substantial earnings due to poor business understanding at the height of their fame.
Odule explained that when “Toluwani” premiered, he was among the highest-paid actors in the industry, yet failed to capitalize financially. He attributes this to a widespread industry mindset that prioritized fame over financial planning and business savvy. At the time, his ability to speak English and his youthful energy gave him notoriety—but not wealth.
He said bluntly: “Not involving the business into our craft affected all of us, including myself.” Despite being a top earner then, he lacks clarity today on the financial outcomes of that success.
Beyond acting, Odule confessed he has produced about ten films—but he’s unsure if any were profitable or even knows where their master copies are. “I’m not good at producing. I’ve never been a good producer… A good producer must know how to manage money, and I don’t know how to do that.” He added that production is a commercial venture requiring skillful financial oversight—something he does not possess—and prefers acting because that is where his strengths lie.
Still, Odule expressed openness to producing again—if a credible opportunity for cinema or streaming like Netflix arose, he would welcome it, so long as he could deliver quality.
He also revealed that he was blacklisted from acting for two years, a period he believes stemmed from industry politics. He said some players perceived him as a threat and took steps to marginalize him through covert means.
Odule’s candid reflections highlight deep challenges in Nollywood’s early growth—where lack of business training and internal discord often undercut star power and professional integrity.
