Why I Quit Acting in 2019 – Actor Deyemi Okanlawon Opens Up

Popular Nollywood actor, Deyemi Okanlawon, has revealed that he stepped away from acting in 2019 due to poor remuneration, unfulfilling roles and frustration with what he described as a lack of excellence in parts of the film industry.

The actor said he reached a point where he was no longer excited by the projects he was getting and could not justify the financial rewards that came with his work.

“I was tired. I wasn’t getting roles that excited me, nor the kind of pay I could take home to my family,” he said.

According to Okanlawon, he also became disillusioned by an environment where he felt that efforts to pursue higher standards and professionalism were often misunderstood.

“Most importantly, I felt like I was working in an environment where people weren’t trying to be excellent. If you questioned anything, you were seen as doing too much,” he stated.

The actor disclosed that he decided to leave the industry in 2019 and return to the corporate world, where he had previously built a career in sales and marketing.

“I quit acting. I dusted my resume and went back to work,” he said, adding that he was subsequently hired as the Head of Marketing for Silverbird Film Distribution, a position he held between 2019 and 2021.

However, his break from acting proved temporary. According to him, the outbreak of the COVID-19 pandemic and his role in the blockbuster movie, Omo Ghetto: The Saga, reignited his acting career and opened the door to new opportunities.

The actor said that following the film’s success, he began receiving offers for major projects and eventually returned to full-time acting.

Okanlawon’s revelation has reignited conversations about remuneration, working conditions and professionalism in Nollywood, with many industry stakeholders continuing to advocate better compensation and improved standards for actors and filmmakers.