Veteran Nollywood actor Jide Kosoko has shared that, despite his long-standing career in the film industry, fame has not led to significant wealth for him.
During an appearance on The Honest Bunch podcast, the 71-year-old actor explained that while he is financially stable, he does not consider himself wealthy by Nigerian standards.
“I’ve been in the industry for so long, and I thank God that I can afford three square meals. But can I call myself rich by Nigerian standards? No,” he said.
Kosoko also discussed the severe impact of piracy on the Nigerian movie industry, calling for tougher laws to combat the issue. “The punishment for piracy in the copyright law isn’t strong enough in my view. Someone who has been pirating works for years is a billionaire—how much do you want to fine him?” he questioned.
“Fining him N500 million won’t be much, as he can easily pay it from his profits. But if you attach a 20-year jail sentence with no option for a fine, people will think twice before pirating,” he added.
Having started his acting career as a child actor in 1964 with the TV production Makanjuola, Jide Kosoko remains a respected figure in Nollywood and continues to advocate for better policies to protect the industry.
