After many years in Nollywood, I’m still not a rich man – Jide Kosoko

Renowned Nollywood actor Jide Kosoko has revealed that despite his long-standing career in the Nigerian film industry, fame has not necessarily translated into financial wealth.

Speaking on The Honest Bunch podcast, the 71-year-old actor stated that while he is financially stable, he does not consider himself wealthy by Nigerian standards.

“I have been in this [movie] industry for this long. I thank God that I can eat three square meals. But can I claim to be a rich man by Nigerian standards? No,” he said.

Kosoko also addressed the ongoing issue of piracy in Nollywood, calling for harsher penalties to deter offenders. He argued that the current copyright laws impose fines that wealthy pirates can easily afford, making the punishments ineffective.

“The punishment in the copyright law for piracy is still not strong enough as far as I am concerned. Somebody who has been pirating people’s works for years is a billionaire, so how much do you want to fine him?" he questioned.

He suggested that a 20-year jail sentence with no option of a fine would serve as a stronger deterrent.

Jide Kosoko, who began his acting journey as a child actor in 1964 with the television production Makanjuola, continues to be a respected voice in Nollywood, advocating for policies that better protect the industry.