Veteran Nollywood actor Kanayo O. Kanayo has expressed concerns about the increasing tendency in the Nigerian film industry—particularly in YouTube productions—to prioritize “marketable faces” over genuine acting talent.
Kanayo O. Kanayo, whose real name is Anayo Modestus Onyekwere, is a celebrated Nollywood pioneer, widely recognised for his iconic performance in the 1992 classic Living in Bondage.
Having spent more than 30 years in the industry, he stands as a figurehead of its golden period and consistently speaks out in support of its progress.
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On Monday, the actor shared a video on Instagram revealing his plan to concentrate on mentoring and partnering with skilled but under-the-radar actors.
“I have decided to take my destiny in my own hands as it pertains to my platform on YouTube,” he said.
“Movie making is not about having a fine face, it’s about being a good actor, a good performer. So, with or without a fine face, that’s what I’ve decided to do. If you don’t like it, well, that’s quite unfortunate.”
He cautioned against a long-standing practice in Nollywood, dating back to its early years, where sponsors and promoters reportedly sidelined talented actors for not being seen as commercially attractive.
“There was an incident many years ago when we were trying to bring up this Nollywood business, about 25 years ago. Some sponsors woke up and started branding actors: ‘this one is not a good one, this one does not sell films.’ They killed the careers of those guys. I can mention names, but for the sanctity of this broadcast, I won’t,” he said.
Kanayo voiced concern that this same attitude is reemerging on contemporary platforms, “Such a thing is beginning to rear its ugly head again. The acclaimed YouTube faces are beginning to bring up the same thing, killing talents in the industry,” he lamented.
He condemned the obsession with a handful of ‘popular faces’ dominating the streaming scene, cautioning that it suppresses creativity and discourages emerging actors from entering the industry.
“Some of these guys will tell you they are not free from September 2025 till August 2026.’ How then do we sustain the content you watch? How do we create magic? How do we encourage new actors to come into the business? I don’t want any producer to call me for a job because I’m a selling face on any platform. Call me because I can deliver,” he emphasised.
Kanayo reiterated his dedication to opening doors for rising talents and urged industry stakeholders to prioritize inclusivity rather than mere popularity.
“If you’re a new face, come on, let’s do magic on Kanayo O. Kanayo TV on YouTube. Let’s create stories with people who can deliver, who can act,” he urged.
In closing, he conveyed a mix of frustration and hope, “I don’t know why when things come to Nigeria, there’s always a somersault, and this somersault is happening now on YouTube. But I want to employ my life’s philosophy to say: this too shall pass.”
