Veteran Nollywood actor Bob-Manuel Udokwu has shared his perspective on why male actors in Nigeria often face greater financial challenges than their female colleagues.
According to him, male actors tend to shoulder more financial responsibilities, making it more difficult for them to attain the same level of financial stability as actresses.
He further argued that, in general, women have an easier time navigating life than men.
Speaking in a recent interview with Udala, Udokwu said he was angered by Nigerians who were asking what late actor John Okafor did with his earnings from the movie industry when he was soliciting for funds for hospital bills.
He explained that actors’ earnings from movies can’t give them financial freedom because of daunting responsibilities.
He said, “Life is generally easier for women than it is for men. It’s not that Nollywood doesn’t pay, but actors have a lot of bills to settle.
“It pained me when John Okafor fell ill before he eventually passed away. While we were trying to raise funds for his treatment, some people on social media kept asking, ‘Where is all the money he made from acting?’
“They didn’t understand the realities of the profession. I didn’t even know he had married more than one wife then.”
