Don’t Let 9–5 Workers Insult Us, Acting Is Harder Than You Think - Etinosa Idemudia

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Nollywood actress and trained engineer, Etinosa Idemudia, has stirred conversations across social media after boldly declaring that acting is more demanding than engineering. 

The outspoken film star made the claim while speaking on the Bold Enough To Say It podcast, where she reflected on her journey from the world of engineering to the spotlight of Nollywood.

Etinosa, who graduated as an engineer before delving into acting, said her experience in both professions has given her the authority to compare the two fields. 

According to her, despite engineering being intellectually challenging, acting requires an even deeper level of emotional and mental commitment, describing it as “mad people’s work.”

“I have been an engineer and I have been an actor. No offence to my colleagues in the engineering world, but I dare say that being an actor is much more tasking. It’s a crazy kind of work. It’s a mad people’s work,” she said, defending the intensity of her chosen career.

Etinosa noted that many people outside the film industry often underestimate the demands of acting, assuming it to be a glamorous or easy profession. 

However, she argued that acting pushes individuals to their emotional limits, as it often requires transforming into different characters, embodying complex emotions, and enduring long, exhausting hours on set.

She went further to caution her fellow actors not to allow professionals from other fields to belittle their craft. In her words, “Don’t let those people that close by five PM come and be insulting us.”

 Her statement highlights the frequent societal bias where entertainment careers are perceived as less serious compared to traditional professions like engineering, medicine, or law.

Etinosa’s comments have since sparked mixed reactions among Nigerians, especially on social media. While many entertainers and fans supported her assertion, agreeing that acting is indeed emotionally draining, others criticized her comparison, arguing that engineering involves years of rigorous study, technical precision, and life-impacting responsibilities.

For Etinosa, the debate seems to be less about discrediting other professions and more about creating awareness of the depth and intensity that acting requires. 

She has long been vocal about her experiences and the challenges she has faced in Nollywood, including issues of typecasting, long working hours, and the mental toll of constantly switching between roles.

This is not the first time the actress has made headlines for outspoken opinions. Etinosa has been candid about her struggles, from her past experiences with domestic abuse to her journey toward self-acceptance and professional growth. 

Her latest statement once again reinforces her reputation as one of the few Nigerian celebrities unafraid to speak her mind.

Etinosa’s bold comparison between acting and engineering adds a new dimension to the ongoing discussion about the value of creative professions in Nigeria. While her statement may not settle the debate, it has undoubtedly drawn attention to the psychological and emotional labor that comes with the art of performance.

At the core of her message, Etinosa emphasizes respect  urging society to view actors as professionals who dedicate themselves just as rigorously as those in more conventional careers. 

For her, acting is not merely entertainment; it is demanding work that requires discipline, talent, and an unshakeable commitment to storytelling.

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