Nigerian actress and filmmaker Ruth Kadiri has shared valuable advice with her colleagues in Nollywood, urging them not to succumb to the pressure of unrealistic expectations when it comes to viewership numbers. Kadiri, known for her candid approach, took to social media to address what she sees as a growing obsession among actors and producers with achieving high view counts, particularly on platforms like YouTube.
In a post directed at Nollywood actors, Kadiri stated that it is unrealistic and misguided to demand one million views in a single day. She emphasized that a successful production goes beyond just the appearance of an actor and that relying on view counts to measure success is flawed. “ANY PRODUCER WHO REQUIRES ONE MILLION VIEWS FROM YOU IN ONE DAY HAS FAILED! A GOOD PRODUCTION REQUIRES MORE THAN YOUR FACE!” Kadiri wrote, urging her fellow actors to focus on the art of acting rather than fixating on the numbers.
Kadiri’s advice highlights a critical issue in the Nigerian film industry, where many actors and producers are placing undue importance on the immediate success of their projects based on online viewership. She called on actors to focus on honing their craft, rather than being distracted by external pressures or comparisons. “SO MUCH Y’ALL DON’T KNOW ABOUT YOUTUBE. DON’T LET THEIR IGNORANCE RUB YOU OF YOUR JOY!” she added, suggesting that many of the expectations placed on actors are driven by a lack of understanding of the complexities of online platforms.
The actress also discussed the importance of self-worth in the industry. Kadiri pointed out that the number of views should not be seen as a measure of an actor’s value or the quality of their work. “ONE MILLION VIEWS IS NOT A STANDARD OF SUCCESS NOR FAILURE,” she stressed, reminding actors that their talents and contributions to a production are not defined solely by viewership numbers.
She further criticized individuals in the industry who, according to her, are quick to judge others without offering support. “The ones who never invest in anyone are the ones with the most NONSENSE to say about others!” Kadiri said, calling out those who criticize others without contributing to the growth or success of the industry themselves.
