Nollywood actor Sunday Afolabi has opened up about a difficult period in his life, revealing that a lack of acting jobs forced him to sell his car and take up other jobs to support himself and his family.

Afolabi shared his experience while appearing as a guest on actress Biola Adebayo’s talk show, where he became emotional while recounting the financial struggles he faced after relocating to Badagry.

“I wasn’t ready to beg for food. I would rather do any legitimate job,” the actor said.

Relocation affected acting career

Afolabi explained that he moved to Badagry because he wanted to build and own a house, but the decision affected his acting career and reduced his access to jobs.

“I actually relocated to Badagry because I wanted to have a building of my own. It has really affected my career. It has caused a lot of setback, especially for my major profession, which is acting,” he said.

The actor disclosed that he owned a Nissan Quest but could no longer afford to repair it after the vehicle developed a problem with its shock absorber.

“I lost my Nissan Quest. I couldn’t afford to fix the shock absorber. It was there for almost two years. I wasn’t getting acting jobs,” he said.

Afolabi also ventured into photography during the period but said he struggled to secure jobs before his camera eventually stopped working.

He later sold the Nissan Quest for N180,000 and used the proceeds to buy a fairly used motorcycle.

“I actually sold my Nissan Quest to buy a fairly used motorcycle. The money was not enough to buy a new one,” he said.

He admitted that adjusting to riding a motorcycle was difficult because he was not accustomed to it.

“I wasn’t used to a motorcycle. I just kept falling,” he said.

Actor recalls impact on family

Afolabi became emotional while recalling how the financial difficulties affected his wife and children.

“Whenever I remember what my wife and children had gone through with me…” he said before breaking down in tears.

The actor also recalled an encounter with a man who recognised him as a television actor but questioned why he was experiencing hardship.

According to Afolabi, the man told him that he knew him as a television star and advised him to return to Lagos if he could not find something to do in his new environment.

Afolabi said he arrived in Lagos in 1970 and began his theatre career with Adelove, where he worked as a drummer.

He later joined the Nigerian Television Authority and became known to viewers through productions including Owo Blow, Tales by Moonlight, The Village Headmaster, Super Story and Nowhere to be Found.

Willing to take any legitimate job

Despite his long career in entertainment, Afolabi said he had explored several other professions whenever acting did not provide sufficient income.

“I tried to be a tailor, it didn’t work. I learned how to fix solar,” he said.

He also revealed that he had been using a minibus to transport passengers, but the vehicle had developed an engine problem.

“The engine is worn out and needs to be changed. I am ready to do any kind of job. If I have a good car, I will use it for Uber,” he said.

Afolabi stressed that he would rather engage in legitimate work than beg for food.

“What I hate most in my life is to beg for food. I would rather do any legitimate job,” he said.

Biola Adebayo appeals for support

Following the actor’s emotional account, Adebayo appealed to members of the public to support him.

“I need help for Mr Afolabi. If you have a car that you’re not using, I’ll drop his account details,” she said.

Adebayo said the aim was to help the actor secure better accommodation in the city and obtain a vehicle that could provide him with a means of earning a living.

“Please, we can get him a Corolla, get him a better accommodation in a city, get him a car for Uber,” she said.

She added that similar interventions had previously been carried out through her Talk to B platform.

“We have done it before on Talk to B, we will do it again. And God will take all the glory,” Adebayo said.