Kunle Afod Opens Up on His Ibadan Roots, Nollywood Journey, and the Future of Nigerian Theatre by Temilade Aloko. -

Veteran Nollywood actor Kunle Afod has spoken extensively on this episode of Okebadan with Temilade Aloko. Many people do not know that Afod is a native of Ibadan. He opened up about how much he loves his hometown. He hails from Asukuna Compound in Oke Are, Ibadan, while his mother is from Ondo State. Though he was very close to his mother’s side while growing up, he remains extremely proud of his hometown.

Many people wonder why he bears the name Afod, as it is not a typical Yoruba name. He explained that he inherited the name and that many have been curious about its origin. He is also proud of himself for promoting his family name.

Afod is very proud of Ibadan for being accommodating to various tribes. According to him, Ibadan is a town loved by God and remains the largest city in Nigeria. He emphasized that great men and women grew up in Ibadan, and the city is home to many historical monuments. He believes Ibadan is the center of politics in Nigeria and cannot be overlooked.

However, he is of the opinion that people should see themselves as Nigerians first. He believes that wherever one has lived for at least ten years should be considered home.

Kunle Afod started his education at School 7 in Festac Town, where he studied up to Primary 3 before completing his primary education at Demonstration Primary School, Owo, in Ondo State. He later attended Command Secondary School in Jos. Since then, he has been actively involved in theatre. He learned theatre from various gurus in the field.

For seven years, he trained under Oga Bello of Awada Kerikeri. He also learned from notable figures like Ben Tomoloju, Jide Ogungbade, German Anikulapo, and the late Yomi Ogunmoni. Afod shared his experiences working with these mentors and how he gained knowledge in different aspects of theatre, including marketing, lighting, acting, and scriptwriting.

He reminisced about his deep passion for theatre and how he began his journey as a child by acting in church before following actors like Dele Odule. Though his mother wanted him to pursue further studies, his passion for theatre was undeniable. She tried to convince him otherwise, but her efforts were unsuccessful.

Eventually, he started his own group called Dream of Tomorrow, where he learned how to write stories and trained himself and others in various aspects of theatre.

Afod also spoke about how much easier it is to enter the industry today compared to the past, thanks to social media. However, he believes social media has reduced professionalism in the industry. According to him, the abnormal has now become the norm in Nollywood.

He recalled how, in the past, people joined the industry out of passion. Despite the challenges they faced, they remained dedicated. Unlike today, where many actors leave for foreign countries as soon as they achieve little success, complaining about the stress in the industry.

Speaking on mentorship, Afod described his training style, stating that he adopts different approaches with his students. He maintains a close relationship with them because training in this era requires a delicate approach.

He urged the government to regulate the use of social media to maintain societal values. He also emphasized the need for professionalism in the industry and encouraged veterans to adapt to changing times by creating their own space as they age to remain relevant.

Afod expressed his admiration for the progress female colleagues have made in the industry. He highlighted the groundbreaking achievements of Funke Akindele, Kemi Adetiba, Toyin Abraham, Wumi Toriola, and Mercy Aigbe. He noted that Funke Akindele has particularly challenged the male actors in the industry. However, rather than seeing it as competition, male actors should use it as motivation. He also mentioned Seven Doors by Femi Adebayo as another significant achievement in Nollywood.

On the issue of scandals in the industry, Kunle Afod dismissed the allegations against male actors. He advised aspiring female actors who feel uncomfortable working with male mentors to seek guidance from established female actors instead. He argued that as long as one is not forced or coerced, it is not a scandal. He also pointed out that many young women join the industry with the primary aim of dating their favorite actors.

Afod spoke about his vision for veterans who have been neglected by society. He explained what motivated him to start highlighting their struggles on social media and the success stories that have emerged from his efforts. He strongly believes that humanity is the best religion and values giving back to society.

Regarding the role of associations in supporting veterans, he acknowledged that Nollywood has many associations. The one he belongs to is AMBASSADOR, led by Saheed Balogun. While he sees nothing wrong with having multiple associations, he believes there should be a central governing body, suggesting NANTAP for this role.

Finally, he encouraged his colleagues to see industry developments as healthy competition rather than trying to bring each other down. He also urged the Oyo State government to invest in tourism as a lucrative sector that can generate revenue and make Ibadan a more conducive place for artists to thrive, as it was once known to be.

you catch the full interview via this link