Entertainment
Jide Kosoko says that after 60 years of working in Nollywood, he is still not a rich man.
Veteran Nollywood actor, Jide Kosoko, recently offered a sobering perspective on the financial realities within the Nigerian film industry. In an interview on The Honest Bunch podcast, Mr. Kosoko, boasting over 60 years of experience, revealed that despite his extensive career and widespread fame, he doesn’t consider himself wealthy by Nigerian standards.
While acknowledging his comfortable living, the 71-year-old highlighted the devastating impact of piracy on the industry’s economic landscape. He specifically called for stricter penalties within the copyright law, arguing that current fines are insufficient deterrents for those profiting from the illegal distribution of films. Mr. Kosoko advocated for lengthy prison sentences without the option of fines as a more effective measure to combat this pervasive issue.
Mr. Kosoko’s candid assessment underscores the challenges facing even seasoned professionals in Nollywood and reinforces the urgent need for stronger intellectual property protections to ensure the industry’s sustainable growth and prosperity.