Award-winning Nollywood actor and filmmaker Femi Adebayo has opened up about his decision to dump a legal career for the big screen.
In a recent chat with Pulse Nigeria, the Jagun Jagun star, who holds a law degree from the University of Ilorin and a master’s in law from the University of Ibadan, revealed that financial survival was a major reason he chose acting over law. He recalled:
“Honestly speaking, that was when I started working as a lawyer. My salary then was just N20,000 on a monthly basis.”
“Then they invited me for acting roles, and they were ready to pay me N50,000 for three days. And as a lawyer, I was getting N20,000 for one month. I said, Femi, this acting is your calling.”
At the time, Femi had just completed law school and was trying to find his feet in Nigeria’s legal space. But when Nollywood came knocking, it didn’t take long for him to choose passion and prosperity over the courtroom. He added:
“I chose to pursue acting as a career when it paid more than my N20K lawyer job.”
While many might assume his transition was purely passion-driven, Femi clarified that financial sustainability played a key role in the shift.
As the son of veteran Yoruba actor Adebayo Salami aka Oga Bello, Femi’s foundation in the arts started early. He revealed that his father’s influence played a major part in shaping his interest in entertainment, even though he once dreamt of the prestige of legal practice. Femi said:
“When I told him I wanted to become a lawyer, he was extremely happy. He once wanted to be a lawyer too. He worked closely with Alhaji Femi Okunnu back in the day, but his parents couldn’t afford it,”
He added:
“My interest in law was about the ‘May it please your Lordship,’ the gown, the courtroom swag. Nothing more,”
Femi began acting in 1985 and, according to him, unknowingly started honing his craft by following his father to rehearsals and theatre performances during school breaks. He revealed:
“Whether I had a role or not, I had to be on set every day. He trained me without me knowing.”
Today, Femi Adebayo is one of Nollywood’s most respected actors and filmmakers, known for hit films like Owo Blow, Sonto Alapata, King of Thieves (Agesinkole), Jagun Jagun, and Seven Doors.
He won Best Actor in a Drama at the 2025 Africa Magic Viewers’ Choice Awards (AMVCA) and currently serves as the Special Adviser to the Kwara State Governor on Arts, Culture and Tourism.
With a career that balances blockbuster filmmaking and public service, it’s clear that Femi Adebayo made the right call when he chose lights, camera, action over courtroom drama.
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