Femi Adebayo reflects on his Nollywood journey, Netflix success, family collaborations, and preserving his legendary father’s theatre legacy through cinema

Femi Adebayo on legacy and the weight of heritage in Nollywood reflects a rare blend of pride, purpose and professionalism. Speaking candidly about his journey, the lawyer-turned-actor credits much of his growth to his legendary father, Adebayo Salami, popularly known as Oga Bello.

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Describing their bond as more than just familial, Femi said, “He’s my guy, 100 per cent. I’ve never met a father as understanding and accommodating as he is.”

Their connection goes beyond the personal, as Oga Bello remains a constant presence on set, even when not cast. “If we are on set for six weeks, he would be there every single day as my supervisory director,” Femi shared.

Though originally trained as a lawyer, Femi found his true calling in film. After earning a modest salary as a young legal practitioner, he realised acting paid better, even for shorter engagements.

“I wasn’t earning much—about N20,000 monthly. Meanwhile, acting jobs paid N40,000 to N50,000 in just a few days,” he said, noting how the shift from law to acting felt inevitable.

Femi admits the pressure of living up to his father’s legacy was intense. “When I started, I silently challenged myself to produce films that would surpass his,” he said.

Yet he continued to lean on his father’s wisdom throughout, adding, “If you’ve seen my successful films, just know he’s a big part of that success.”

The actor’s decision to embrace streaming over cinemas with films like Diamonds in the Sky and Jagun Jagun was largely strategic. “As both a businessman and creative, I needed to recoup my investment quickly,” he explained.

“The cinema-distribution structure isn’t always favourable to producers.” Despite this, his new film Her Excellence, honouring his father’s 60 years on stage, will premiere in cinemas first.

The movie, a remake of Oga Bello’s classic Agbara Obirin, is co-directed by Tope Adebayo and Adebayo Tijani, with a powerful ensemble cast including Sola Sobowale, Odunlade Adekola, Bimbo Ademoye and others.

Many actors featured worked for free in tribute to the elder Adebayo’s contributions to the industry.

Though creative clashes occasionally occur on set—especially between father and sons—the family thrives on mutual respect. “Sometimes we argue over execution, but it’s always respectful,” Femi noted.

On the growing trend of social media-based film promotion, Femi believes creators should stick to what suits them. “My dad and I cannot dance, but we’ll promote our film in our own way,” he said, encouraging authenticity over trend-following.

Speaking on unity in storytelling, Femi cited his casting of Chioma Chukwuka in Seven Doors, which won at the Africa Magic Viewers Choice Awards. “All my movies push for peaceful resolutions. Chioma embodies that,” he said.

Beyond performance, Femi’s commitment to legacy preservation is visible through his theatre school, which has trained talents for over 15 years. His entire family is involved in the industry, from directing and editing to part-time acting.

Aware of the financial insecurity many actors face later in life, he advocates retirement planning and healthcare coverage. “I always advocate for proper planning. I am on a micro-pension scheme and I’ve enrolled my staff,” he said.

Handling fame and its fallout with grace, Femi distinguishes between helpful feedback and online noise. “Constructive criticism is welcome. But I ignore the baseless drama online,” he said, choosing instead to focus on craft and longevity.

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To critics who downplay his achievements as the result of his father’s name, Femi had a simple answer. “Your surname might open the door, but it won’t keep you in the room. My work speaks for itself.”