Yoruba actor, Yemi Solade says Nollywood is full of prostitutes and Yahoo boys

Veteran actor, Yemi Solade says the Nigerian movie industry has been infiltrated by prostitutes and Yahoo boys.

In an interview with the Nigerian Tribune, the actor said he’s not pleased with the current trends in the movie industry, saying ‘it has become an all comers affairs.’

The 60-year-old actor also accused the core professionals in Nollywood of bringing in ‘clowns’ to the industry.

He said, “Nollywood is not there right now. The Nollywood you see is all-encompassing. It’s an uncompleted building that is not guarded and what you meet there would amaze you.

“It has become an all-comers affair, anybody can stroll in and act. All the Yahoo boy are now there, all the prostitutes that you can imagine are there.

“People can’t even discern between the core professionals and these class of clowns who have infiltrated the association. But they didn’t just fly in, people you call professionals brought them in.

“It’s just so porous that anybody can become an actor, the entry point is so porous and annoying. It’s a profession and it must be handled and treated as one.

“I am not really pleased with the state of the industry. It’s a professional body and we must portray ourselves as one that has mastered the art and craft of the profession.”

On raising funds for medical emergencies for sick and aged actors, Solade said it is important for the Actors Guild of Nigeria (AGN) to have plans for needy members.

He said, “If there were insurance schemes, and plans in place for the aged, or members of the industry, they won’t run to the social media to raise alms for their failing health conditions".