Afeez Oyetoro, popularly known as Saka, is a comic actor born August 20th, 1963 in Adegbola town, Iseyin Local Government Area of Oyo State, Nigeria. The famous Nollywood comic actor is equally a lecturer in the Department of Theatre Arts at the Lagos State University of Education. (LASUED),Otto -ijanikin,Lagos. He is many things rolled into one, due to other ventures he engages in. A master of ceremony, a model, a stand-up comedian, a television personality, and currently, an MTN ambassador.
Oyetoro obtained his Bachelor’s and master’s degrees in Theatre Art from Obafemi Awolowo University (OAU) and the University of Ibadan (UI), where he is presently pursuing his Ph.D. He became famous for his clown role in Nollywood movies, and he was featured as the main character in a 2013 MTN advert where he carved a niche for himself with “I don port o”, which went viral. Some of his movies included: Taxi Driver, Ojukokoro, The Wedding Party, The Call, Small Chops, Shadow Parties, and The Miracle Centre.
In this interview, Saka shares his thoughts and concerns for the Nigerian movie industry.
Q. You have been in the industry for years, how would you compare the quality of movie productions and content in years back to what we have presently?
These are two different eras, and you can’t compare the movie content back then to what we have now because in the 70s and 80s, movie productions were full of morals, philosophies, and values, but presently, movie productions are more concerned with aesthetic and commercial value rather than morals. Though not all productions are bad these days, a lot of them are good, interesting, and entertaining just that there is more aesthetics and commercial value. Technologically they are advanced, they have good cameras, and many things are injected into the production. In terms of dramatic techniques and cinematography, they are a lot better than what we had before.
Q. We noticed that you are not frequent on screens like before. Could there be a reason for this?
Actually, I have been working on a few sets, and don’t forget that I am a lecturer, and I am equally running my Ph.D. programme, which by God’s grace I will be rounding up shortly. I am still involved with the entertainment industry, but I am not in public space at the moment.
Q. There is a trending argument that those who studied Theatre Art perform better than those who see the profession as a side hustle or just stumble into it. What is your take on this?
Stage acting and performance are the mother of all acting. You cannot compare someone who learned how to drive manually to a person who learned to drive automatically. Everything on stage is done manually. You study your lines and the handouts unlike in movies where they just cut and continue. Stage acting is the best. It is the mother of all acting. A lot of people who are just into films will not have the patience to cope with the stage because they don’t know the rudiment, on set, they just act a little and get paid heavily but in a stage production, with all the stress of studying your lines, getting the right blocking and stage movement that can sometimes take about four weeks to perfect the techniques you get paid little. But the fulfillment about the stage is that your audience is fulfilled, and you can tell from their facial expressions. Moreso, one truth is that any stage actor can act on any medium be it radio or television, but those without stage knowledge and experience can’t do that.
Q. Which of these forms of acting do you find more comfortable, stage or screen/film?
As a trained actor, I find the stage more fulfilling than any amount you can offer me. The satisfaction could be measured by my payment and effort used on the stage. But in terms of good pay, I think working on a normal movie set will help one pay the bills a lot more.
Q. Let’s talk about the cinema culture, what is your opinion and how would you rate the Nigerian experience?
Cinema viewings in Nigeria, need improvement. Although many people have embraced the cinema culture by taking their good works for screening. The truth is when you have a good film in the cinema, other mediums like Netflix, Prime, and Showmax will be interested in your content. Also, every filmmaker must work hard and must not be carried away by the commercial value, whether Netflix or not. Some people prefer sitting down in their homes and watching movies and you can’t blame them because of the security issues we have in our nation. Despite having theatre around them. However, for instance, If someone is living in Badagry and can’t drive to the nearest cinema, he watches from home. If the cinema houses are open plenty of people will watch. People want to watch and share comments. That makes it very interesting.
Q. There is this notion that women are sexual symbols in Nollywood. What do you feel about this?
Anyway, I am a trained actor and not a producer. I am not in any position to cajole someone to take a role. If you go into the film industry, you will see bodies. I am trained so I can go into any movie or location, but the women should not be picked after sex. If you are good your talent and work will sell you. Very few ladies do all these things that we are talking about. We respect people in the industry who work and do not sell their bodies for roles. I am against the act and condemn it. The idea of offering your body or sex for a movie role is unethical and unprofessional. If you are talented your gift will make way for you. What you need is hard work, more effort, and trusting God. You don’t need to compromise before giving people roles. One truth also is that those ladies who claim to have been sexually harassed by directors are often ladies who are lazy and want to be superstars overnight. As a professional, I stand on the opinion that when you are hardworking and your acting skills are good and commendable, you will progress in the industry and every filmmaker will want you to be in their production.
Sadly, in the industry today, women are the ones harassing men, about 90 percent of women harass men by bringing themselves and offering to do anything and a man who cannot control himself will fall in. Desperate female filmmakers do it with men who are not disciplined and lack self-control. A good director will pick a good talent without having sex with the person. As such, everyone needs to be careful. I have never done that, and I will not. Recently, a veteran called out filmmakers on the need to pay attention to their work, citing an example of a female actor who is presumed to be sleeping at night still with full makeup on That is where professionalism comes in. I blame the directors, where did they train? There are so many gatecrashers in this industry, that people can go in and come out. We try to have associations, but it is not working. I believe by the time we have an association, actors, and actresses will start behaving normally and there will be discipline.
Q. Some veterans have taken to social media to solicit assistance and Nigerians have accused the Actors’ Guild of abandoning ailing actors. What is your take on this?
For me, they are not begging. They are only allowing meaningful Nigerians to know their current state. Truth be told, most of these veterans have been neglected and they don’t have food or houses or cars. They will be running around to get to locations. They have been forgotten by the industry and we do not know about them until they come out to express themselves. If people want to help them, let them do so. Anybody making it in theatre will not believe that some producers will not pay artists. I don’t want to talk in that area. Let the veterans come out because the association cannot do it alone.
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