Jaiye Kuti Criticises Nollywood Over “Fake Love” in Industry

Jaiye Kuti criticises Nollywood colleagues over fake love and lack of support, saying industry relationships lack genuine care beyond birthdays

Nollywood actress Jaiye Kuti, also known as Jayeola Monje, has publicly criticised colleagues in the Nigerian film industry, accusing them of showing “fake love” and failing to offer genuine support when it matters most.

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The actress made the comments during an interview on Oyinmomo TV on Saturday, 5 July 2026, where she reflected on her experiences within the industry and the nature of professional relationships among actors and filmmakers.

Jaiye Kuti said many Nollywood practitioners appear supportive on the surface but fail to stand by one another during difficult moments, describing the behaviour as inconsistent and discouraging.

According to her, the lack of unity has weakened industry relationships, especially as many creatives face similar challenges but rarely speak out collectively.

She recalled a personal experience in which she received little or no support from colleagues after publicly complaining that one of her films was removed from cinemas, a situation she said highlighted the absence of real solidarity in the industry.

The criticism reflects broader concerns within the entertainment sector about distribution challenges and the financial pressure faced by filmmakers in producing and promoting films.

Jaiye said some colleagues had faced similar setbacks but chose silence instead of collective advocacy, leaving individuals to handle industry challenges alone.

She also criticised what she described as “surface-level affection” among actors, saying many people only show public gestures of goodwill, particularly on birthdays, without offering meaningful support when needed.

“So I stopped wishing people happy birthday because I don’t want anyone to wish me one. Please don’t,” she said.

The actress further highlighted the financial strain of filmmaking in Nigeria, noting that producers invest heavily in movie production but often struggle to recover costs due to weak distribution systems and limited structural support.

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Her remarks add to ongoing conversations about sustainability and collaboration within Nollywood, where practitioners continue to call for improved systems and stronger industry cohesion.