Deyemi Okanlawon Reveals Why He Quit Acting in 2019: “The Pay Was Nonsense”

Nollywood star Deyemi Okanlawon has revealed that he stepped away from acting in 2019 after becoming frustrated with poor pay and a lack of fulfilment in the profession.

The actor made the disclosure during a recent interview on the CreativiTea Podcast, where he reflected on his career journey and explained why he temporarily abandoned the movie industry.

According to Deyemi, despite his passion for acting, the financial rewards and the quality of work at the time left him feeling disappointed. He said the situation made him question whether pursuing a career in film was worth the sacrifice.

“I quit acting in 2019. I quit because the pay was nonsense, the work was nonsense. And I just felt like I didn’t leave 9-to-5 work to come and do mediocre work,” he said.

The actor explained that waking up every day for a job that no longer inspired him became increasingly difficult. He noted that passion alone was no longer enough when he felt unfulfilled professionally.

“It was difficult to wake up in the morning and go to work, and what is the point of being passionate about something and then not being fulfilled by it? So I quit and then went back to 9-to-5 work,” he added.

Although Deyemi returned to regular employment after leaving acting, he eventually found his way back to Nollywood and has since become one of the industry’s most recognisable faces, featuring in several blockbuster films and television productions.

His revelation has sparked fresh conversations about remuneration, working conditions and career sustainability in Nigeria’s entertainment industry, with many creatives continuing to advocate for better welfare and compensation for actors and other professionals.