Veteran Nollywood actor Sunday Afolabi has opened up about the difficult circumstances that have affected his acting career, revealing how he took on several jobs to survive after losing regular acting opportunities.
The actor, widely remembered for his role in the Yoruba classic Owo Blow, became emotional while recounting his struggles during an interview with actress Biola Bayo on her Talk to B show, shared on Instagram on August 11, 2026.
Afolabi revealed that he relocated to Badagry in a bid to build a house of his own, but said the decision eventually affected his career because of the distance from the industry’s activities.
“I relocated to Badagry because I wanted to have a building of my own. It has affected my career. It has caused a lot of setbacks, especially for my main profession, which is acting,” he said.
The actor also recalled how a video of him working as a commercial bus driver went viral in 2026, explaining that he took the job because he was determined to provide for himself rather than depend on others.
“When that video of me working as a driver went viral, I didn’t want to beg to eat; that was why I was working as a driver,” he said.
According to Afolabi, his Nissan Quest vehicle later developed a fault and was abandoned for almost two years. With acting jobs becoming increasingly difficult to secure, he turned to other means of earning a living.
“I wasn’t getting acting jobs again. I even started photography, but I wasn’t getting jobs; my camera ended up going bad,” he said.
He eventually sold his vehicle and used the money to purchase a fairly used motorcycle, which he used for commercial transportation.
“I started working as a bike man, but because I wasn’t used to it, I kept having accidents and falling down,” he recalled.
The actor also recounted an encounter with a man who recognised him as a television actor but mocked him for working as a commercial motorcyclist.
“I was a TV star. If I don’t know what to do with my life, I should go back to my people,” Afolabi recalled the man telling him.
Despite the setbacks, the actor said he continued learning different skills in an effort to remain financially independent. He revealed that he learnt tailoring and solar installation, describing himself as a “jack of all trades”.
Afolabi said his biggest concern has never been doing a particular type of work but being unable to afford food.
“What I hate most is begging for food. Even if I can get a car so I can use it for Uber, I don’t mind. I just don’t want to beg to eat,” he said.
His story has since drawn sympathy from Nigerians, particularly those who remember his contribution to the Yoruba film industry and his memorable role in Owo Blow.
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