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Nollywood actor Gideon Okeke has ignited a heated conversation online after openly addressing what he describes as unequal recognition between Nigeria’s music and film industries.
In a video shared on his Instagram page, the actor reflected on how creatives are celebrated in Nigeria and questioned why musicians enjoy overwhelming admiration while actors and filmmakers struggle for the same level of respect.
According to Gideon, Nigerian musicians are not only praised locally but also pushed aggressively on the global stage, with fans and fellow artists proudly endorsing labels such as the “big three” or “big five.” These titles, he argued, are embraced as cultural achievements.
In contrast, actors, directors, and producers in Nollywood rarely receive similar collective support, even though Nigerian films now stream on international platforms like Netflix, Prime Video, and Showmax.
Providing context for his frustration, Gideon suggested that Nollywood’s influence on African storytelling has been massive for decades, shaping cultural identity long before Nigerian music gained its current global dominance. Yet, despite this long-standing contribution, film practitioners are often criticised rather than celebrated, with audiences quick to dismiss their work instead of promoting improvement and growth.
He further implied that while musicians routinely uplift one another through collaborations, endorsements, and public praise, the same energy is rarely extended to Nollywood projects. This lack of cross-industry support, he argued, weakens the film sector and limits its global competitiveness.
However, Gideon’s remarks triggered a wave of mixed reactions from SOCIAL MEDIA USERS, many of whom challenged his perspective.
One omoruyishedrack97 wrote, “The hype is there, just that Nollywood is not a wealthy industry”
One ddikedioramma wrote, “Make una act Avengers or Justice League for us then we go rate una”
One ofuokwuchidi wrote, “Una dey act nonsense”
One ddikedioramma wrote, “Wetin una dey act? Unrealistic and predictable scenes”
One udu_ako_mmiri wrote, “You said a lot without saying anything, bro”
One chairman_9mm wrote, “Make I worship people wey still act “Akwaeke the Golden princess”? No nah”
One Jude_Banky wrote, “Until una give us premium movies on Netflix like South Africa”
One lampardkay wrote, “We hype them more than u think. Why do you think Funke and Toyin are selling out?”
One Kaffy_Nike wrote, “You wan chop hype?
Despite the backlash, Gideon’s comments have reopened a necessary conversation about funding, quality control, audience expectations, and how Nigerians choose which creatives deserve praise. Whether viewers agree with him or not, the debate highlights a deeper issue: the struggle for balance, respect, and sustainability within Nigeria’s creative ecosystem.
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