Many pioneers of Nigeria’s film industry face a harsh reality after the spotlight fades. Instead of a peaceful retirement, they often struggle with debt and illness.

Guardian life highlights some yesterday’s star who eventually went broke

Abiodun Ayoyinka

Famous for playing Papa Ajasco. In March 2026, he moved many to tears in an interview with Lucky Udu where he claimed he has “no house and no car” despite decades of entertaining Africa. He explained that because his character is trademarked by his boss, Wale Adenuga, he cannot use the fame to get other jobs easily.

However, Wale Adenuga quickly fired back, in a statement that was released calling the claims “misleading.” Adenuga stated that the actor has been given several cars in the past and even owns a house in Ogun State.

 

Uche Odupata

In 2007, Uche Oduputa was arrested for trafficking drugs and was jailed for two years and three weeks.

In an interview with Broadway TV, the actor revealed that his financial situation led him into trafficking.

According to him, he thought it would change his condition since he wasn’t getting any substantial movie roles at the time and couldn’t afford to feed or house his family.

Since his release from jail, the actor has featured in successful productions such as “Husbands of Lagos,” “Last Flight to Abuja,” among others.

 

Olusegun Akinremi

Popularly known as Chief Kanran. For decades, he was a star of Yoruba cinema, his face synonymous with authority and artistic excellence. Yet, behind the scenes, a series of tragedies dismantled his world. After a devastating fire in 2017 razed his home and studio destroying equipment and four cars—the veteran was left homeless.

Reports emerged of the actor seeking refuge in a church, a far cry from the luxury many assumed he enjoyed.

From the video shared online, the veteran actor was a guest on a programme hosted by popular Yoruba radio talk show host, Kola Olootu.

According to him, he is not begging for the money to feed but for some money to start his work again as an artiste again.

Seven years ago, things got bad for me. I was not ill and whatever will make me ill and people will start contributing for me, I thank God that it did not happen to me. However, what is currently happening to me is more than being ill. In 2017, my home got burnt from top to down and my wife and children deserted me.”

“My studio, where all my equipment are, also got burnt. Since the incident happened over a year ago, I have been sleeping in my church as I don’t have money to rent an apartment. Feeding has also been difficult for me. All my four cars are no longer with me. I sold one to feed, one got burnt, another one got knocked,” he said.

However, Nigerians were already supporting the veteran actor by sending money to his account number while some also promised to come to his aid before his passing in late 2025.

 

Halima Abubakar

Halima Abubakar suffered a harrowing health and financial instability. In early 2026, the actress made a desperate public appeal for N25 million to fund a life-saving brain tumor surgery.

Having depleted her savings on her mother’s medical bills and her own prolonged treatment,in an Instagram live session with Odogwu Kiwi, she said that she has been diagnosed with a brain tumour and is presently facing eviction.

“I have just been evicted from my house. I have been diagnosed with a brain tumour. Yesterday, my caretaker came to tell me to leave the house. The money contributed for my health, which I wanted to use to pay my rent, was rejected by my landlady.

“Do they want me to kill myself? From one situation to another, I have packed all my belongings, and I have nowhere to go. I do not want to kill myself. Yahaya Bello, VDM, Seyi Tinubu, everyone, I need your help. I have nobody. I cannot even reach any celebrities; none of them is answering my calls. I called Don Jazzy, but there was no response,” she stated.

 

Moses Olaiya

The legendary Baba Sala, a veteran comedian and actor, recently requested financial help from Nigerians for his health.

Sala, who is popular for movies such as “Orun Mooru,””Aare Agbaye,” “Diamond” and “Ana” needed a lot of money for his medical treatment abroad.

His first son, Reverend Dele Adejumo,said that all business investments of the aged veteran have been ruined by circumstances and poor management.

“I need help. Nigerians should help me. I am not dead yet, they should not let me die suffering,” he said during a press conference.

 

Dejumo Lewis

In 2015, Veteran actor, Dejumo Lewis, who is known for his role as Kabiyesi in “The Village Headmaster” classic TV soap, said he was broke.

During an interview with Punch, the actor said that despite the ‘legend’ and ‘icon’ label, he was one of the poorest paid actors in Nollywood.

“I had to struggle to pay my rent and my staff. I must admit that right now, I am indebted to the management of the hotel that I am staying. I also owe two of my staff more than three months salary. They have been so loyal and committed to me,” he said in 2015.

Lewis has starred in critically acclaimed movies such as “Dazzling Mirage,” “October 1,” “When Love Happens” and “Invasion 1897.”