Veteran Nollywood actor Kanayo O. Kanayo has raised concerns about what he sees as a worrisome trend in the Nigerian film industry’s growing YouTube space.
The legendary actor, known for his decades-long impact on Nollywood, cautioned that the platform’s rising “star system” could endanger the craft of storytelling and acting if left unchecked.
Speaking about the direction of his personal YouTube channel, Kanayo made it clear that he would prioritize quality storytelling and strong performances over the industry’s fixation with glamour and popularity.
“I have decided to take my destiny into my own hands as it pertains to my channel on YouTube. I have decided to tell a good story. It doesn’t have to be with a fine face. Movie-making is not about being a fine face. It’s about being a good actor, a good performer. If you don’t like it, that’s unfortunate,” he said.
Kanayo, fondly called KOK by fans, drew parallels to Nollywood’s earlier years when sponsors sidelined gifted actors who were not deemed commercially appealing. He warned that the same mindset was beginning to resurface, this time driven by YouTube producers and viewers gravitating to a select group of so-called “acclaimed YouTube faces.”
“What happened years ago, where some sponsors killed the career of talented actors whom they believed could not sell films, is beginning to rear its ugly head,” Kanayo explained.
Highlighting the potential dangers, he continued:
“The acclaimed YouTube faces are beginning to bring up the same thing: killing the talents in the industry. Some of these guys will tell you they are not free from September 2025 till August 2026. How do we sustain the content of what you watch? How then do we create magic? How do we create stories or encourage new actors to come into the business if it’s only the self-acclaimed faces on YouTube? It’s not good for the industry.”
While acknowledging that YouTube has opened new opportunities for Nollywood from wider global reach to new revenue streams Kanayo warned that prioritizing popularity over craft risks stifling innovation and killing the dreams of aspiring actors.
For him, the solution is simple: return to the basics of Nollywood, good stories, strong acting, and opportunities for fresh talent. He insists that his channel will remain committed to showcasing performers who can carry roles with skill and authenticity, not just “fine faces.”
As Nollywood continues to expand its presence on streaming platforms and digital spaces, Kanayo’s words serve as a sharp reminder that commercial success must never come at the cost of creativity and originality.
