Tayo Faniran Nollywood politics claims spark debate as the actor alleges favouritism and rigging influence success, casting and awards in the industry

Nollywood actor Tayo Faniran has criticised what he described as pervasive politics, favouritism and alleged rigging in Nigeria’s film industry, during an appearance on TVC Entertainment News on Wednesday, September 30, 2026.

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Faniran said the internal politics of Nollywood were, in his view, considerably worse than the political challenges Nigerians face in government, arguing that talent alone does not determine career progression in the industry.

“When you talk about the politics of our country, like government and all of that, and what we are complaining about today as citizens, in Nollywood we’re facing times ten of that,” Faniran said.

The actor also reflected on his own career, suggesting that his professional standing would have been different if success in Nollywood were determined strictly by ability.

“Someone like me, if Nollywood were to be strictly about talent, I should be far beyond where I am now,” he said.

Faniran went on to allege that some prominent producers, directors and actors owe their positions to factors other than talent.

He extended the allegation to industry awards, although he did not provide specific evidence or identify particular individuals or award organisations.

“Another thing is that there’s a lot of rigging going on. In the industry right now, the film producers that you guys see and you know as the biggest are not the most talented film producers. Same with directors, same with actors. Awards are rigged too,” he alleged.

His comments have opened up a broader conversation about how actors and filmmakers secure opportunities in Nollywood, where visibility, established relationships, commercial appeal and social media influence can intersect with professional ability.

Faniran’s remarks also drew reactions online, with some commenters supporting his assessment of his acting ability while others argued that talent is only one factor in building a successful career in the entertainment industry.

One social media user described Faniran as a talented actor and cited his performance in a recent film featuring Wunmi Toriola as evidence of his ability.

Another commenter argued that talent alone is rarely sufficient in any industry, while a separate reaction questioned Nollywood’s reliance on already popular personalities, including reality television and social media stars, for film roles.

Faniran’s comments are ultimately his personal assessment of the industry, and his allegations about rigged awards and career opportunities have not been independently established in the information available.

The discussion nevertheless touches on a longstanding question within Nigeria’s entertainment sector: how much professional success should be determined by talent, and how much is believes Nollywood’s internal politics can overshadow merit, leaving talented performers without the opportunities they might otherwise receive influenced by commercial considerations, networks, audience reach and industry relationships.

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For Faniran, the answer is clear. He believes Nollywood’s internal politics can overshadow merit, leaving talented performers without the opportunities they might otherwise receive.