Nollywood producers choose actors based on social media followers not quality – Uzor Arukwe

In an interview with Pulse, veteran actor Uzor Arukwe criticized the film industry for prioritizing social media followers over talent when casting actors for movies.

Arukwe expressed concern that producers often choose actors based on their online presence rather than their acting skills.

He acknowledged that some actors have found success by leveraging their social media following, but argued that this trend has created an unfair advantage, with talented performers being overlooked in favor of those with a larger online following.

Reflecting on his own career, Arukwe highlighted the challenges he faced as a young actor trying to break into the industry.

“I remember all so clearly when I started. It was a big problem for me,” the 40-year-old actor told Pulse in a recent interview.

“There was a time in this industry when it was mostly about Instagram and Twitter followers, and stuff like that. I didn’t understand it but knew it was something I had to be at peace with because a production house wants to hire you and they’re looking at your numbers. ‘But can he act?’ That is the question I always ask. But some people are blessed who are fantastic actors who have numbers and they’ve been doing well.”