Veteran Nollywood actor, Prince Jide Kosoko, has stated that not all cases of sex-for-roles in the film industry are instigated by filmmakers.
According to him, some women intentionally enter the industry with the mindset of using sexual relationships as a means to achieve fame.
Kosoko, who has spent over five decades in the entertainment industry, made this revelation during an episode of The Honest Bunch podcast on Monday.
He said, “If I said I need you to come and warm my bed so that I can give you this role, and you said, no, you don’t want to, they cannot force you to do it.”
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Kosoko further explained that while there are indeed cases where certain individuals in the industry exploit young women, there are also aspiring actresses who arrive with the intention of offering sexual favours in exchange for movie roles.
In his words: “I know some ladies that equally come into the industry with the determination that, by the time ‘I sleep with this and sleep with that, I will get my name.’”
Kosoko’s statement adds a new layer to the long-standing conversation around sexual exploitation in Nollywood.
For years, many have blamed producers and directors for preying on upcoming actresses. However, the actor’s comments suggest the situation may, at times, be more complicated.
In 2021, comedian and actor Debo Adebayo, popularly known as Mr Macaroni, also raised an alarm over the way sex-for-roles had quietly become a norm in Nollywood.
In a series of tweets, he called out industry players who refuse to help new talents unless they offer sex or money.
“This is a perfect time to speak and appeal to the conscience of those in the industry who will never give opportunity to upcoming artists until they sleep with them or collect money from them. Make una dey fear God!!!” he tweeted.
He continued: “Open your paynt…. those before you did it ooo. If you want to help your career.. come and suck me” Where is our humanity? This has gone on for so long and it has even become a norm. You will see great Talents struggling simply because they refused to “suck.”
In another post, he reminded everyone that this kind of exploitation is not limited to Nollywood.
“This isn’t peculiar to the entertainment industry alone. Schools, Banks, Hospitals… these acts are common everywhere. It is totally unfair and wicked. Stop taking advantage of people who are only trying to fulfill their dreams. Have some decency!!! We must do better!!!” he said.
Even before then, the signs were there.
In 2020, actresses Sharon Jatto and Oshevire Divine publicly accused producer Victor Okpala of requesting sexual favours in exchange for roles.
Jatto posted screenshots showing the filmmaker allegedly trying to convince her that sex-for-role was normal practice, even after she revealed she was underage.
Divine shared a similar story, explaining that she was told talent alone wasn’t enough.
With a career that began in the 1960s, Jide Kosoko is regarded as one of Nollywood’s most respected and influential figures.
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He has featured in over 200 films, spanning both Yoruba and English-language productions. He is also a former President of the Association of Nigerian Theatre Arts Practitioners (ANTP).
Beyond his professional life, Kosoko is the father of two actresses, Bidemi Kosoko and Shola Kosoko, who have continued his legacy in the film industry.
