Veteran Nollywood actor Nkem Owoh, widely known as Osuofia, has revealed that his journey into acting was never part of his original plan, describing his rise to stardom as an unexpected turn of events.
The celebrated comic actor explained that he initially worked behind the scenes as a scriptwriter and had no intention of appearing before the camera. However, persistent encouragement from colleagues who recognized his natural ability to entertain eventually pushed him into acting.
Speaking during a recent episode of the Selah Meditate podcast, Owoh recalled how his talent for making people laugh caught the attention of industry professionals long before he became a household name.
“My coming in front of the camera was an accident. I was a scriptwriter behind the scenes and people started telling me to start performing in front of the camera,” he said.
The actor recounted how the then ATV provided him with an opportunity to showcase his comic abilities through a short television programme in the 1980s.
“I remember ATV created a 7-minute programme for me to do stand-up comedy in the 80s. They told me to come in front of the camera because I was making people laugh behind the camera. With much pressure, I came in front of the camera. And I saw that what I was doing people were buying it so that was how my acting career began.”
What started as a reluctant step into the spotlight would eventually blossom into one of the most successful careers in Nollywood history, with Owoh becoming one of Nigeria’s most beloved actors and comedians.
Fame Came With a Price
Despite the admiration and success that accompanied his rise to prominence, the veteran actor admitted that celebrity status has had its drawbacks.
According to him, fame significantly altered his lifestyle and stripped him of the freedom he once enjoyed as an ordinary citizen.
“Fame took away my freedom. A lot of people want to be celebrities, they only know the benefits but not the downsides. When you become famous you can’t do a lot of the things you were doing freely before. You become restricted in a lot of ways,” he explained.
His comments highlight a reality often overlooked by aspiring entertainers, as public recognition frequently comes with intense scrutiny and limitations on personal privacy.
‘Real Talent Will Always Stand Out’
Owoh also weighed in on the growing debate surrounding casting practices in Nollywood, where some actors have accused filmmakers of prioritising social media popularity over genuine acting ability.
While concerns have been raised about the increasing influence of online followership in securing movie roles, the veteran actor dismissed suggestions that social media fame poses a threat to truly talented performers.
“I don’t think social-media fame is replacing real talent. It can’t. There is no way social media-fame can replace real talent,” he stated.
His remarks come amid ongoing discussions within the Nigerian film industry, with actors such as Shine Rosman, Bolaji Ogunmola and Osereme Inegbenebor recently alleging that some filmmakers now place greater emphasis on physical appearance, social media influence, complexion and popularity when selecting casts.
Although the debate continues to generate mixed reactions across the industry, Owoh remains convinced that genuine skill and dedication will ultimately outlast temporary online popularity, insisting that talent remains the foundation of lasting success in Nollywood.