Tayo Faniran has questioned how talent is rewarded in Nollywood, arguing that ability alone does not always determine how far an actor or filmmaker can progress in Nigeria’s film industry.
Speaking during an interview on TVC eSplash, the Nollywood actor said some of the producers regarded as major figures in the industry are not necessarily the most talented.
Faniran suggested that other factors influence who gets opportunities, recognition and career advancement in Nollywood. He said his own career would have taken a different path if talent were the main consideration in determining success.
“In Nollywood, the film producers you guys see and know as the biggest are not the most talented film producers,” Faniran said.
He went further to describe the industry as having what he called “a lot of rigging”, arguing that the system does not always reward ability on its own.
“If Nollywood were strictly about talent, I should be far beyond where I am,” he said.
His comments reflect a broader concern often raised about competition and access to opportunities within entertainment industries, where professional networks, visibility and commercial considerations can also shape who gets major roles and projects. Faniran, however, did not identify specific producers or explain in detail what he meant by “rigging” during the remarks cited.
The actor’s comments therefore amount to his personal assessment of his experience in Nollywood rather than an independently established finding about how the industry operates as a whole. His central argument is that talent, while important, does not necessarily translate directly into career success.
For Faniran, that distinction appears particularly significant when measured against his own career expectations. He believes his position in the industry would be considerably different if opportunities were allocated primarily on talent.
His remarks add to the continuing conversation around how success is measured and achieved in Nigeria’s highly competitive film industry, where thousands of actors, producers and other creative professionals compete for limited high-profile opportunities.
