Veteran Nollywood actor Nkem Owoh, popularly known as Osuofia, has revealed that his decades-long acting career was never part of the plan, describing his entry into on-screen performance as a complete accident.
Speaking on a recent episode of the Selah Meditate podcast, the comic icon said he spent his early years working as a scriptwriter in television production, with no intention of ever appearing on camera.
“My coming in front of the camera was an accident,” Owoh said. “I was a scriptwriter behind the scenes, and people started telling me to start performing in front of the camera.”
According to the actor, it was colleagues who first noticed his ability to make people laugh while working behind the scenes, and they began pressuring him to perform. Their persistence eventually paid off when ATV gave him a short stand-up comedy segment in the 1980s, roughly seven to eight minutes long. The audience response was strong enough to pull him permanently out from behind the scenes.
What followed is now a cornerstone of Nollywood history. Owoh went on to build one of Nigeria’s most recognisable careers, becoming a household name across Africa through a string of iconic comic roles.
The revelation came during a wide-ranging podcast conversation that also touched on the current state of the Nigerian film industry.
Owoh pushed back against growing concerns that producers are now casting based on social media popularity rather than acting ability. A debate that has gained traction in recent weeks after several Nigerian actors, including Shine Rosman, Bolaji Ogunmola, and Osereme Inegbenebor, publicly accused filmmakers of prioritising follower counts, physical appearance, and complexion over talent.
Owoh was unconvinced. “I don’t think social media fame is replacing real talent. It can’t. There is no way social media fame can replace real talent,” he said.
The interview comes weeks after the actor was honoured at the 2026 AMVCA Icons Night alongside fellow veterans Joke Silva, Patience Ozokwo, and Afeez Oyetoro, in recognition of their contributions to African screen culture over several decades.
Owoh began his career as a scriptwriter in the 1980s. He has since appeared in over 120 films and television productions.
