Nollywood actor Lateef Adedimeji is currently one of the most prosperous performers in Nigeria. However, in a recent interview, Teju Babyface recounted how Lateef nearly left the Nollywood film industry and the acting profession to seek an office job. He explained the reasons behind this decision and what ultimately kept Lateef from giving up.
Speaking about why he almost quit acting and Nollywood, as well as what stopped him from doing it, Lateef Adedimeji explained saying:
LATEEF ADEDIMEJI: There’s a lead role I did in Ilorin for 10 days that I was given N1,000 in 2010. I spent ten days on that set and wasn’t given feeding money until day six. And even the day six, it was the PA that asked me “have you been receiving your daily feeding allowance?” and I replied in the negative, no.
He now went to speak to the producer that the fellow playing the sub-lead role says he’s not been receiving his feeding allowance. Producer then flared up that “what? is he telling stories?” and the PA now said “no he’s not, I was the one that asked him.” I thought to myself I’m in trouble now. I never asked the PA to tell the producer. What if I’m fired off this production? What hope will I have then?
So, they started giving me N300 per day for the next 4 days that I finished the set. And I held no grudges. In fact, I went to thank them. I’ve played about 98 scenes for N8,000. Out of the N8,000 I gave my bosses N1,500 each to buy recharge card. So I was left with N5,000 in Oyo, and I’m going back to Ikotun, that’s where I stay and my parents stay. And I was a graduate at this time! A graduate with dependents counting on him.
It was really a tough one. And so I decided in my mind that the certificate I said I won’t dust to go and look for office work, I think at this stage, I have to. So I called one or two I know in the industry that are so big, and told them that I am tired. I don’t think I can cope anymore.
Then I spoke to a marketer and told him I want to leave and go and look for job. And that word the marketer said to me that year was what made me stick to this job. He said “You want to quit? With all that you have in you? All that you carry? You have not used half of what God has given you as talent. If you go, you will regret it. With time, you will blow.” That was a word that the marketer told me and I say I am ready to do whatever it takes to grind the results out.
Wow! I’m so happy Lateef held on and didn’t quit, because today, he’s one of the best in the industry.