How a marketer words discouraged me from quitting Nollywoood – Lateef Adedimeji

• Lateef Adedimeji has opened up on how he almost quit the Nigerian movie industry, many years back.
• The renowned actor cum filmmaker made the remarks on a recent interview while speaking on difficulties he faced on the job at the beginning of his career.
• Lateef Adedimeji also narrated how a marketer discouraged him against quitting when he made up his mind to get an office job.

Famous Nigerian actor Lateef Adedimeji is one of the most successful thespians in Nigeria today. But in a new interview with Teju Babyface, the actor narrated how he almost quit acting to go and find an office work.

Dwelling on his humble beginnings, Lateef Adedimeji recounted how he was treated on a movie set in 2010 where he barely made sufficient money despite playing a major role as the sub-lead actor.

This experience amongst many made him want to quit but a marketer’s words discouraged him from going ahead.

Lateef Adedimeji recounted:

“There’s a lead role I did in Ilorin for 10 days that I was given N1,000 in 2010. I spent ten days on that set and wasn’t given feeding money until day six. And even the day six, it was the PA that asked me “have you been receiving your daily feeding allowance?” and I replied in the negative, no. He now went to speak to the producer that the fellow playing the sub-lead role says he’s not been receiving his feeding allowance. Producer then flared up that “what? is he telling stories?” and the PA now said “no he’s not, I was the one that asked him.” I thought to myself I’m in trouble now. I never asked the PA to tell the producer. What if I’m fired off this production? What hope will I have then?

So, they started giving me N300 per day for the next 4 days that I finished the set. And I held no grudges. In fact, I went to thank them. I’ve played about 98 scenes for N8,000. Out of the N8,000 I gave my bosses N1,500 each to buy recharge card. So I was left with N5,000 in Oyo, and I’m going back to Ikotun, that’s where I stay and my parents stay. And I was a graduate at this time! A graduate with dependents counting on him.

It was really a tough one. And so I decided in my mind that the certificate I said I won’t dust to go and look for office work, I think at this stage, I have to. So I called one or two I know in the industry that are so big, and told them that I am tired. I don’t think I can cope anymore.

Then I spoke to a marketer and told him I want to leave and go and look for job. And that word the marketer said to me that year was what made me stick to this job. He said “You want to quit? With all that you have in you? All that you carry? You have not used half of what God has given you as talent. If you go, you will regret it. With time, you will blow.” That was a word that the marketer told me and I say I am ready to do whatever it takes to grind the results out.”