Nollywood actor, producer and trained lawyer Femi Adebayo has explained why he walked away from legal practice for acting. He cites better pay and a stronger sense of calling.
ValidViewNetwork checks show the remarks match earlier interviews with Pulse Nigeria and Legit.ng, which are now circulating again.
Adebayo, the son of veteran actor Adebayo Salami, popularly called Oga Bello, was called to the Nigerian bar in 2003. He says he turned his passion into a full-time profession in 2005.
THE PAY GAP THAT CHANGED EVERYTHING
Adebayo said his first law salary was N20,000 a month, and acting was only a hobby then. Producers later invited him for roles and offered N50,000 for three days of work.
In another telling, he put acting pay at N40,000 to N50,000 for a few days. He said the comparison settled it. He told himself, in effect, that acting is his calling, and he chose to leave law for entertainment full time.
WHY HE STUDIED LAW IN THE FIRST PLACE
Adebayo told Legit.ng he chose law partly for prestige. His father once wanted to become a lawyer after working with Alhaji Femi Okunnu, but his family could not afford the training.
Adebayo said his father was extremely happy when he chose law. He also grew up around actors and followed his father to rehearsals and stage performances during school breaks.
A LAWYER WHO NEVER LEFT ACTING BEHIND
Born on December 31, 1976, in Ilorin, Adebayo earned a law degree and a master’s in Theatre Arts at the University of Ilorin.
He began acting in 1995 and credits Tade Ogidan’s film Owoblow with his breakthrough. He worked in property and commercial law before leaving practice. He still says he is a qualified barrister who can appear in court.
WHAT HE HAS BUILT SINCE
His films are known for Yoruba language and culture. He produced the 2022 film King of Thieves and the 2023 Netflix epic Jagun Jagun, and he won the Africa Magic Viewers’ Choice Award for Best Lead Actor.
From 2016 to 2019 he served as Special Adviser on Arts, Culture and Tourism to the Kwara State governor. This autumn he unveiled Euphoria 360 Hub, commissioned by Lagos Deputy Governor Obafemi Hamzat.
A WORD ON PLANNING
Do you want to advertise with us?
Do you need publicity for a product, service, or event?
Contact us on WhatsApp +2348033617468, +234 816 612 1513, +234 703 010 7174
or Email: validviewnetwork@gmail.com
CLICK TO JOIN OUR WHATSAPP GROUP
Adebayo also advocates retirement planning and health cover for actors, noting that many face financial insecurity later in life. He says he is on a micro-pension scheme and has enrolled his staff. ValidViewNetwork reports.