Popular Nollywood actress Bukunmi Oluwasina has publicly criticized her colleagues for their apparent lack of support for upcoming actress Jumola Bello. Bello is currently attempting to break the Guinness World Record for the longest acting performance on stage, a feat that has gone largely unnoticed by the industry’s biggest names.
As the clock struck midnight on September 28, 2024, Jumola Bello entered her fifth consecutive day on stage at the National Theatre in Lagos, Nigeria. The young actress, known for her work with Iteledicon Productions, has been performing non-stop in an attempt to secure her place in the Guinness World Records.
Despite the grueling nature of her challenge, Bello has received minimal support from the Nollywood community. This lack of acknowledgment has not gone unnoticed, particularly by industry veteran Bukunmi Oluwasina.
In a lengthy and impassioned Instagram post, Oluwasina expressed her disappointment with her fellow actors and industry figures. “I find it heartbreaking,” she wrote, her words tinged with frustration. I do not see any growth in a place where the only people we support, show up for, or show love are the only people we know we might need later.
Oluwasina’s post, which quickly went viral, highlighted a perceived culture of self-interest within Nollywood. She argued that true support should extend beyond strategic networking, emphasizing the importance of uplifting emerging talents like Bello.
According to Oluwasina, Bello had reached out to numerous industry figures before and during her world record attempt. Despite these efforts and the viral nature of her challenge, only two colleagues had shown up to offer support by the fifth day of her performance.
“And No, let’s not pretend we didn’t even know about it. We do. You do,” Oluwasina stated firmly in her post. “A lot of public figures have been tagged.”
This apparent snub has raised questions about the nature of support and community within Nollywood, one of Africa’s largest film industries.
As Bello’s attempt enters its critical final stages, concerns are growing about her well-being. Oluwasina reported that the actress “hasn’t slept and is very exhausted,” highlighting the physical and emotional toll of such an ambitious undertaking.
The lack of industry support appears to have added an extra layer of stress to Bello’s challenge. “She is in a critical stage at the moment because of the disappointment she got from her colleagues,” Oluwasina noted, urging her peers to step up before it’s too late.
Oluwasina’s post goes beyond merely criticizing her colleagues; it serves as a call to action for the entire industry. She challenges the transactional nature of relationships in Nollywood, asking, “How about loving and supporting people who can’t do Anything for you, too, ONCE IN A WHILE?
This sentiment has resonated with many fans and industry observers. Social media commentator Funmi Adebayo notes, “Oluwasina’s words have struck a chord because they speak to a broader issue of community and support in creative industries. It’s not just about Nollywood; it’s about how we treat emerging talents across all sectors.”
In her post, Oluwasina speculated that the response would have been different if a more established star had attempted the record. “If it was a celebrity that attempted this, it wouldn’t be like this,” she wrote, highlighting the disparity in treatment between established and emerging actors.
As Bello’s world record attempt nears its conclusion, Oluwasina has made a final plea to her colleagues. “Please let’s show support,” she wrote, emphasizing that “a win for one is a win for all.”
The actress urged her peers not to wait until it’s too late to show up for their colleagues. “Let’s not watch people die before we show up for them,” she implored, adding a sense of urgency to her call for support.
As news of Oluwasina’s post spreads, reactions from within Nollywood have been mixed. While some have echoed her sentiments, others have defended their absence, citing busy schedules and a lack of personal connection to Bello.
Regardless of the outcome of Bello’s world record attempt, this incident has sparked important conversations about solidarity, support, and the treatment of emerging talents within Nollywood. It remains to be seen whether this will lead to lasting changes in how the industry supports its up-and-coming members.
As Jumola Bello pushes through the final hours of her marathon performance, the spotlight has shifted to the broader Nollywood community. Bukunmi Oluwasina’s impassioned plea serves as both a critique and a call to action, challenging her peers to rethink their approach to supporting fellow artists.
