The Actors Guild of Nigeria (AGN) has elected a new president, marking a significant shift in the association’s leadership as Abubakar Yakubu emerged victorious in a closely contested race against actress Regina Daniels’ mother, Rita Daniels. The election took place on Saturday during the Guild’s annual general meeting in Benin, Edo State, drawing notable attention from industry observers.
Yakubu, previously the AGN National Secretary, won by a slim margin, securing 116 votes against Rita Daniels’ 113, while three ballots were declared invalid. His victory positions him as the first actor from Northern Nigeria to head the Guild since its formation in the early 1990s—an outcome many members describe as historic for the organisation’s regional representation.
The leadership transition follows Emeka Rollas’ completion of his tenure as AGN president. Rollas had recently made headlines after commenting on Regina Daniels’ personal well-being, advising Rita Daniels to focus more on her daughter rather than the presidential contest—a remark that stirred conversation within Nollywood circles.
Despite the intense campaign and narrow defeat, members say the election underscores growing engagement within the Guild and heightened expectations for Yakubu as he steps into the role. Industry stakeholders are now watching to see how his administration will address long-standing concerns, strengthen welfare structures, and unify practitioners across the country.
Yakubu is expected to outline his vision for the Guild in the coming days as the transition process begins.