The Nollywood actor says some industry gatekeepers fear mentoring Igbo entertainers because they could quickly master the craft and become formidable competitors
Nollywood actor Zuby Michael has criticised what he described as inadequate support for Igbo entertainers within Nigeria’s film industry, alleging that some gatekeepers and executives deliberately hesitate to mentor emerging talents because they fear being outshone.
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Zuby made the claim during an interview with Broadway TV, where he discussed what he sees as a longstanding challenge facing aspiring Igbo entertainers seeking opportunities and mentorship in Nollywood.
According to the actor, some industry figures become wary when they mentor Igbo talents because of their ability to learn quickly and eventually establish themselves independently.
“Igbo people are fast learners and they are capable of making it big with just a little,” Zuby said.
He argued that a mentee could acquire in a relatively short period skills that took a mentor years to develop, potentially transforming the student into a competitor.
“You might decide to mentor an Igbo person and what took you 10 years to learn, he will learn it in one year and six months,” he said.
Zuby suggested that the fear of creating future competition could discourage some executives from investing time, resources and connections in young entertainers.
“And if you don’t treat him well, he will leave you and start doing the same business you taught him and become your competition. So, people are scared of that,” he said.
The actor further alleged that the reluctance was not limited to people from outside the Igbo community, claiming that some Igbo industry executives also shared similar concerns.
“Industry executives, including some Igbos, don’t like supporting Igbos because they feel like they will get betrayed by their mentee outshining them,” Zuby said.
His comments have opened a wider conversation about mentorship, competition and access to opportunities within Nollywood, an industry where relationships and professional networks can play an important role in determining the trajectory of emerging performers.
Mentorship has traditionally been an important route into Nigeria’s entertainment industry, with established actors, producers, directors and executives often providing younger talents with practical knowledge, introductions and opportunities to build their careers.
However, Zuby’s argument suggests that the relationship can become complicated when a talented mentee develops rapidly and begins to compete within the same professional space.
The actor’s remarks also touch on a broader concern frequently raised across creative industries: whether established professionals should view emerging talent primarily as potential competition or as an opportunity to strengthen the next generation.
While Zuby presented his observations as an explanation for what he perceives as limited support for Igbo entertainers, his comments do not establish that industry executives generally discriminate against Igbo talents.
Nollywood remains a highly diverse industry, drawing performers, filmmakers and other creative professionals from communities across Nigeria.
Igbo actors and filmmakers have also built prominent careers and played significant roles in the development of the Nigerian film industry.
Zuby Michael, known for his roles in Nigerian films, has himself become a recognisable figure in Nollywood and is known for his outspoken comments on the entertainment industry.
His latest remarks are therefore likely to fuel further debate about how established figures can create meaningful pathways for emerging talent without allowing competition, insecurity or concerns about succession to undermine mentorship.
At the heart of the discussion is a simple but consequential question: whether the success of a talented mentee should be regarded as a threat to the mentor or as evidence that the mentorship has achieved its purpose.
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For aspiring entertainers, particularly those seeking their first major opportunity, that distinction can shape whether talent receives the support needed to flourish or is left to navigate the industry alone.
Oreoluwa is an accountant and a brand writer with a flair for journalism.
