In an emotional revelation that has sparked widespread conversation across the Nigerian entertainment industry, actor and comedian Ijoba Lande has spoken out about what he described as one of the most disappointing moments of his acting career—receiving just ₦90,000 after spending nearly a month on set for a movie project spearheaded by top Nollywood filmmaker Funke Akindele.
According to Lande, who shared his experience in a now-viral video interview, he was on set at Amen Estate for a month, dedicated to his role and believing the opportunity would be worth the time invested. However, he explained that he failed to negotiate his pay before the job began—an oversight he now regrets. “When I got the alert, it was ₦90,000,” he said, visibly pained. “After all the time and energy I spent… it was heartbreaking.”
Despite the emotional toll, the actor made it clear that he harbors no ill will toward Funke Akindele personally. He acknowledged her success and contributions to Nollywood but used the platform to encourage better treatment for junior actors and production assistants who often work under tough conditions for little pay or recognition.
The story has stirred mixed reactions. While some fans have criticized Akindele for what they perceive as exploitation, others have placed the blame on Lande himself for not securing a clear contract. Nonetheless, the situation has brought to the fore an uncomfortable reality within Nollywood: that many up-and-coming creatives are often underpaid and undervalued, even by some of the industry's biggest names.