Yoruba Actor Femi Akinyemi Reveals Colleagues Tried to Discourage Yewande Adekoya From Casting Him as Her Husband

Yoruba movie star Femi Akinyemi has shared how some of his fellow actors tried to prevent actress Yewande Adekoya from casting him as her on-screen husband due to his young age.

In a recent interview on Mtec TV's YouTube channel, Akinyemi said that after expressing interest in playing Yewande’s husband in a movie, the actress received backlash from industry colleagues. According to him, some told Yewande not to cast him because he was “too young” for the role. However, Yewande reportedly stood her ground and defended her decision.

Akinyemi explained:

“I told Yewande I would like to play her husband in a movie, and she was excited about it. But some actors told her not to cast me, saying I’m too young. She responded by saying, ‘He’s the one spending the money, so what’s the issue?’ She saw my passion and supported it.”

The actor also used the opportunity to compare the Yoruba Nollywood industry to the English Nollywood sector. He noted that English-speaking productions offer better treatment and inclusivity to actors, with less focus on age or hierarchy.

He added:

“In the English Nollywood industry, everyone is treated equally. People like Nadia Buari and Kenneth Nwadike call me by my name without stress. But in Yoruba Nollywood, there’s a strong emphasis on seniority and titles. Even the room I got on set in the English sector was the same kind our top Yoruba actors receive.”

Akinyemi’s revelations have sparked conversation among fans and colleagues about age bias, respect, and professionalism within Nollywood’s different sectors.