Nigerian actor Deyemi Okanlawon has opened up about the moment he decided to step away from Nollywood, revealing that poor pay, creative dissatisfaction, and a lack of fulfillment pushed him to quit the industry in 2019.
The actor made the confession during a recent appearance on the CreativiTea podcast, where he spoke candidly about his career path, the realities of working as an actor in Nigeria, and why he temporarily returned to a 9-to-5 job.
Speaking on the podcast, Okanlawon said the decision to leave acting was not made overnight, but it became unavoidable when he realized the work was no longer serving him.
“So, I quit acting in 2019,” he said. “I quit because the pay was nonsense, the work was nonsense. And I just felt like I didn’t leave 9-to-5 work to come and do mediocre work.”
For Okanlawon, the frustration was twofold. On one side was the financial reality. On the other was a deeper creative problem: the sense that he was putting energy into projects that did not challenge him or reflect the standard he wanted for his career.
“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,” he explained. “So I quit and then went back to 9-to-5 work.”
Okanlawon’s story is one many Nigerian creatives can relate to. Like several of his colleagues, he left a conventional job to pursue acting full-time, betting on passion and long-term growth.
But after years in the industry, the gap between expectation and reality became too wide to ignore. The roles available were not always meaningful, the compensation was inconsistent, and the overall experience left him drained rather than inspired.
Returning to formal employment was not a step backward in his view, but a reset. It gave him financial stability and mental space to reassess what he wanted from his career.
While Okanlawon did not name specific productions or individuals, his comments reflect a conversation that has been ongoing in Nollywood for years.
Many actors, especially those who are not A-list or tied to major box-office projects, have spoken about irregular pay, delayed compensation, and budgets that do not reflect the demands of the job. For mid-career actors, the challenge is often balancing artistic ambition with economic survival.
Okanlawon’s phrase “the pay was nonsense” stood out because it was direct. It highlighted a key reason why talented performers sometimes leave the industry, even at the height of their visibility.
Despite how final it sounded at the time, Okanlawon’s break from acting did not mark the end of his career. He has since returned to the screen and remains one of Nollywood’s most recognizable faces, known for roles in films and series across drama, romance, and thriller genres.
His decision to speak about the 2019 exit now suggests a willingness to be transparent about the less glamorous parts of the profession. It also frames his comeback as a deliberate choice rather than a default one.
By stepping away, he gained perspective. By returning, he did so on his own terms, with a clearer idea of the kind of work and environment he wants to be part of
Acting is often portrayed as a dream job, but the financial instability can be harsh. For actors with families or long-term goals, inconsistent pay makes it hard to sustain a career without other income
Money is one factor, but purpose is another. Okanlawon’s reference to “mediocre work” points to a need for better scripts, stronger direction, and projects that challenge actors creatively.
His decision to return to a 9-to-5 job challenges the idea that leaving a conventional career for the arts has to be permanent. It shows that pivoting between paths can be a form of self-preservation.
Today, Okanlawon continues to act, produce, and engage with audiences across film and digital platforms. He has also spoken in other interviews about fatherhood, marriage, and personal growth, presenting himself as an actor who values balance.
His 2019 exit is now part of his story, not the end of it. By sharing it openly, he adds to the conversation about what it takes to build a sustainable career in Nollywood.
For upcoming actors, his experience is a reminder: passion matters, but so do pay, respect, and creative satisfaction. Without those,
