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Former Big Brother Naija housemate and actor, Saga Adeoluwa, has opened up on the intense preparation and dedication that went into his role in the latest instalment of Kunle Afolayan’s epic series, Anikulapo. The reality TV star disclosed that he had to employ a Yoruba language coach and undergo rigorous training to sharpen his fluency before stepping into character.
Saga features in the Netflix five-part mini-series as Aderoju, a royal prince, in the third chapter of the Anikulapo franchise. The historical drama, set during the peak of the old Oyo Empire’s influence in south-west Nigeria, is renowned for its deep cultural themes, traditional language use, and detailed portrayal of Yoruba heritage. For Saga, who admitted he was not naturally fluent in Yoruba, landing such a role was both a major opportunity and a daunting challenge.
In an interview with Channels Television, the actor recounted how he surprisingly secured the role, despite his limited ability to communicate fluently in Yoruba. According to him, acclaimed filmmaker Kunle Afolayan reached out after watching several of his acting skits and short videos online, particularly the popular “Couple Chronicles” series he creates alongside fellow entertainer Liquorose.
“When Kunle Afolayan called me, I was dumbfounded. He said he reached out because of the ‘Couple Chronicles’ videos I do with Liquorose. He thought I was the one speaking Yoruba in the videos, but I was only lip-syncing,” Saga revealed.
The misunderstanding, however, quickly came to light during their first physical meeting.
“When I met him in person, he asked me to speak Yoruba, and after I did, he told me I needed to improve,” he added.
Despite recognising Saga’s language limitations, Afolayan still believed in his potential and offered him the role. The actor described this as a life-changing moment that pushed him to challenge himself beyond his comfort zone.
“I will forever be grateful to him because he gave me the opportunity and believed in me, even though I couldn’t speak the language well and didn’t fully have the charisma for the character at the time,” he said.
Determined to deliver an authentic and convincing performance, Saga immediately committed himself to intense preparation. He disclosed that he suspended all other engagements for a full month to focus solely on studying the script, understanding the character, and improving his command of Yoruba.
“After receiving the script, I cleared my schedule for a month to study my lines and get into character,” he explained.
To accelerate his learning, Saga hired a professional Yoruba language coach who worked with him daily. In addition, he immersed himself in Yoruba culture by watching traditional television programmes and listening to radio broadcasts in the language.
“I also hired a Yoruba coach who taught me every day, and I began watching Yoruba programmes and listening to radio broadcasts,” he said.
The process, he admitted, was far from easy. Mastering pronunciation, intonation, and emotional expression in a language he wasn’t fully comfortable with required patience, discipline, and resilience.
“It wasn’t easy, but my co-stars helped me on set by correcting me,” he added.
Saga praised his fellow cast members for their support, describing the film set as a collaborative environment where learning and growth were encouraged. According to him, the experience not only improved his language skills but also deepened his appreciation for indigenous storytelling and cultural representation in Nollywood.
The actor’s journey highlights the level of commitment required to thrive in historical and culturally rich productions such as Anikulapo. His story also serves as inspiration to young actors, showing that dedication, humility, and hard work can open doors to greater opportunities, even in the face of initial limitations.
As the Anikulapo threequel continues to generate excitement among fans of epic Nollywood storytelling, Saga Adeoluwa’s transformation and determination stand out as one of the behind-the-scenes stories that define the depth of effort invested in bringing the series to life.
Watch him speak below…
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