Manny Ita
In a pointed critique that has ignited a firestorm across the Nigerian entertainment landscape this week, veteran actor Gideon Okeke has publicly called out the nation’s top musical exports for failing to support the domestic film industry. Taking to his social media platforms on Sunday, January 25, 2026, the Slum King star specifically addressed the “Big Three” and “Big Five” of the Afrobeats world—including global icons Wizkid, Burna Boy, and Davido—accusing them of maintaining a one-sided relationship with the creative community. Okeke argued that while Nollywood actors and filmmakers are consistently the loudest voices celebrating the international milestones of music stars, that energy is rarely reciprocated to help elevate Nigerian cinema.
The actor’s frustration centered on the lack of visibility music stars provide to local talent, questioning why global chart-toppers do not leverage their massive influence to spotlight high-quality acting and production. “What’s going to happen if your Big Three or Big Five… come down to look around and say, ‘Ah, you see that bros over that side? He’s bad. That babe, bad’?” Okeke asked, emphasizing that a simple endorsement from a major artist could provide more international traction than traditional marketing budgets. He further highlighted the disparity in cultural promotion by referencing former US President Barack Obama’s annual lists, wondering why Nigerian music legends do not release similar rankings of their favorite local films or actors to boost the industry’s prestige.
The critique also touched upon the growing trend of musicians venturing into film as executive producers. Okeke suggested that many are “sneaking” into Nollywood for the prestige of the title rather than authentically championing the craft or the people behind it. This intervention comes at a sensitive time for the Nigerian creative economy, which is projected to generate $14.8 billion in 2026. While Nollywood currently holds a record 49.4% of the West African cinema market share, Okeke’s comments reflect a deeper sentiment among actors that the film industry is still fighting for the same global respect and “cultural capital” that Afrobeats has already secured.
Industry reaction to Okeke’s statement has been sharply divided. While many Nollywood veterans have rallied behind him, citing a need for a unified “Team Nigeria” front on the global stage, critics and music fans have countered that the music industry is a separate business entity with no formal obligation to promote other sectors. As the debate continues to trend across social media platforms, it has reopened long-standing conversations about the synergy—or lack thereof—between Nigeria’s two most powerful cultural exports.
