Actor Gideon Okeke Calls Out Davido, Burna Boy, Wizkid, Others For ‘Not Supporting’ Nollywood

Nigerian actor Gideon Okeke, has challenged Afrobeats megastars, accusing them of failing to use their global platforms to promote the Nigerian film industry.

In a recent Instagram post, the 43-year-old Nollywood star highlighted a perceived one-sided relationship between the two entertainment sectors.

He argued that while Nollywood personalities consistently celebrate the success of Nigerian musicians on the world stage, that enthusiasm is rarely reciprocated.

Okeke contended that top artistes like Wizkid, Burna Boy, Davido, and Rema possess the influence to actively champion Nigerian cinema and secure international opportunities for its creators.

“You know how we carry our Afrobeats music on our heads? We say big three, big five, big this; we have almost idolised ourselves,” he said.

“I ask myself a question that imagine your big three, big five, big one — Burna Boy, Wizkid, Davido, Rema, all of them, don’t you watch Nigerian films? Since Netflix came to this country, haven’t you watched any Nigerian films?

“Have you not seen any actor you can actively promote? Can you not use your mouth to speak well of exceptional talents?”

He criticised a trend where musicians “try to sneak into the cracks of Nollywood” by taking on roles like executive producers, suggesting their support could be more impactful elsewhere.

“You are beginning to act as executive producers. You are sneaking into the cracks. What will happen if you use your mouth and endorse a producer, actor, actress, or cameraman?” Okeke asked.

“Publish your own 2025 baddest Nollywood films, baddest Nollywood actors and actresses, baddest Nollywood producers—publish your own the way Obama publishes you every year. The way you make the cuts to Obama also drives traffic for other people; you don’t want to take all the glory.

“But when you travel overseas, and you encounter a foreigner, why not say, ‘My Gee, our actors over there are bad. They can compete with Hollywood.

“We are all cousins. We are all together. Our actresses know you.”