Veteran actor and filmmaker Kunle Afod has responded firmly to recent allegations of sexual exploitation in Nollywood, urging accusers to stop making generalized claims and instead name specific individuals.
Speaking on Nollywood on Radio, Afod emphasized that sweeping accusations tarnish the reputation of the entire industry without offering any path toward resolution or justice.
“One thing I tell people, bring out those that said they raped them in the industry,” he said. “If you’re going to accuse someone, do it with facts and names. Don’t hide behind vague stories.”
Afod acknowledged that romantic advances occur in Nollywood but pointed out that such interactions aren’t unique to the film industry.
According to him, workplace flirtations or relationships are a common part of adult life across many sectors. “We are adults. There is consent,” he said. “If you attend school, they will likely ask you out. If you are a nurse, doctors might ask you out. Patients might ask you out. If you like, you agree.”
He extended the analogy to other professions, adding, “We have bankers who are looking for targets. If the man you’re going to meet asks you out and you like him, you agree. And you meet your target. It’s the same thing. It’s not their problem.”
He drew a comparison between Nollywood and competitive sports, illustrating how people often rely on different tactics to succeed in high-stakes environments. “If I am a coach, I have 21 players. And I am going to use 11,” Afod explained.
“Probably, I might have 14 good players. If you want to get your way, you will use what you have to get your way. That is what the girls always say. Use what you have to get what you want.
Not all the girls.” He was quick to clarify that he does not support exploitation, but rather points out the complexity of consent and agency within adult interactions.
Highlighting the importance of genuine skill and hard work, Afod stressed that talent remains the most vital factor in building a lasting career in Nollywood. He rejected the notion that anyone can rise solely by exchanging sexual favors.
“But see, let me tell you the truth,” he said, “your talent will always be ahead in everything. If you are not good and you sell your body, you are just wasting your time. Because they will not use you. But if you are good and you insist that you are not going to lay on anybody’s bed, that talent will still put you on that spot.”
Afod encouraged women in the industry to seize control of their careers by investing in their own productions, asserting that financial independence can help sidestep many of the gatekeeping issues in Nollywood.
“Let everybody have their own money and produce their own movies. It is as simple as that,” he said. “Everybody can produce. That’s Nigerian style. Everybody can produce movies. Everybody can. You can.”
His message was a call to action for aspiring creatives to shape their own narratives rather than wait for validation or approval.
His comments echo those of fellow veteran actor Jide Kosoko, who in March stated that “no individual can be coerced into engaging in sexual activities in exchange for roles.”
As debates around sexual misconduct in Nollywood continue to stir public and industry conversations, Afod’s remarks have sparked renewed discourse on personal responsibility, the power dynamics at play, and the need for transparency and accountability from all parties involved.
