Francis Odega praises Sam Loco Efe’s mentorship, revealing how the late Nollywood legend shaped his acting career

Nollywood veteran Francis Odega has reflected on the lasting influence of late legendary actor Sam Loco Efe, describing how the film icon shaped both his acting career and personal life.

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Francis Odega made the disclosure while speaking on the Where is the Lie podcast, where the actor recounted his early years in the industry and the mentorship he received from Sam Loco Efe.

The Nollywood star explained that Sam Loco Efe had a distinctive approach to acting and often preferred to reinterpret scripts rather than follow them word for word.

According to Francis Odega, the late actor believed strongly in natural performance and creative expression.

“Sam Loco taught me a whole lot. Sam Loco no dey read script. Him go look when them write come rephrase am. He was the one who trained me,” Francis Odega said.

Francis Odega added that his determination to learn from the late actor led him to work closely with him during the early stage of his career.

The actor revealed that he once served as a personal assistant to Sam Loco Efe in order to gain practical knowledge of the craft.

“I been dey carry Sam Loco bag. I was like a PA to him just to learn, and I think I learnt well,” Francis Odega said.

Beyond professional mentorship, Francis Odega said the relationship developed into a strong family bond.

The actor recalled that Sam Loco Efe treated him like a son and warmly welcomed his wife as part of the family.

Francis Odega also shared a humorous memory, revealing that the late actor would sometimes give him money to deliver to his wife.

“That time he treated me like a son and would often call my wife his daughter. Sometimes he would give me money, like 50K to give my wife,” Francis Odega said.

The Nollywood veteran jokingly admitted that he sometimes kept part of the money before passing the rest to his wife, adding that he later confessed the story to her.

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Sam Loco Efe remains one of Nollywood’s most celebrated performers. The late actor earned widespread admiration for his commanding screen presence and remarkable comedic talent, leaving a powerful legacy that continues to influence younger actors in the Nigerian film industry.