Bimbo Akintola has been in the Nigerian film industry for almost three decades after landing a role in Tade Ogidan’s classic, ‘Owo Blow.’ However, her face became synonymous with the English title, ‘Out of Bounds,’ which also featured Richard Mofe Damijo, amongst other stars. The complete and accomplished thespian is known for her fierce talent, bold characters, and unwavering professionalism. From her very first movie roles to her recent work, she’s managed to remain a powerful and respected voice in the industry, admired by both her peers and a new generation of fans. She once pulled off the role of Dr Ameyo Adadevoh in the critically acclaimed film ’93 Days,’ which chronicled the happenings that led to curbing the spread of Ebola in Nigeria. In this interview with ENTERTAINMENT EDITOR, GBENGA BADA, Akintola opens up about her journey, the importance of integrity, and more.
Your recent role in Kemi Adetiba’s ‘To Kill A Monkey’ is currently making waves. How did you get your role?
They sent me a script, I read it, then I got a call from Kemi Adetiba, and when I read it, I liked Inspector Mo. I empathise with her, and I said, if it’s this lady, I will do it, and if she’s not, I won’t. I liked the character, understood her from just reading it.
Tell us about your first movie.
My first movie was ‘Owoblow’, but ‘Out of Bounds’ came out before ‘Owoblow’.
How have you been able to, unlike most actresses, cut across generations?
First and foremost, I must be truthful; it’s been God, without God’s Grace, you can’t achieve anything. Also, professionalism, the fact that I’m a professional. I don’t play with my work; I hate the idea of mediocrity. I don’t believe that anybody should be mediocre, whatever you are doing; if you are not in the first ten, why are you doing it? I always think that no matter what I do, I must excel. Going to the University of Ibadan (UI), the first thing you are taught is that professionalism is key. The show must go on, you must be there on time, and you must study your character, the director… so I consider them all when I’m at work.
Do you scrutinise the kind of roles that you accept?
Apart from when I first started, and it was about putting my face out there and doing anything, there are some films that I do regret. But I learnt from them. Anything to do with women, the girl child, progress, anything to do with changing norms that are not working for us, I’m all for it.
Have you had reasons to turn down a script beyond financial?
Poorly written scripts, I can’t stand those. Obviously, if you’ve worked with them and you know they are not professionals, and you don’t want them to paint you in a bad image, even if the money is huge, I will say ‘no’. There are certain things we have to say no to. There has to be integrity; it is key. Everything is not money, that’s how we were raised; they told us that money is not the end of life. Money is important; it’s key to a lot of things, but it doesn’t make you. You must also protect your integrity, your name forever.
Did you study theatre arts?
Yes, I fought for it, I studied theatre art deliberately, it was what I wanted to do, though my dad wanted me to study something else. I understood what he was saying, but I just wanted to determine what I wanted to do. I knew I wouldn’t be happy doing anything else. My dad was right, because at that time actors didn’t have a great reputation, they weren’t making the money, and he was thinking of how I would take care of the family, kids and how to sustain myself doing things that nobody takes seriously. And I said to myself that I know that’s what I’m passionate about, and there will be a way. I just knew that somehow I would be fine. The first year, I made it to the University of Jos to study Performing Arts, and my father said never. He said I would stay home to write another JAMB, so I collected the second JAMB fee, but I used it for something else, and when the result came out, I said I didn’t pass; I collected the second JAMB and deliberately picked wrong answers. My dad was ashamed because he had been boasting about my results since I finished school, and people were asking why this your brilliant child was not passing JAMB. One day, he went to the University of Ibadan, got me the diploma form in Theatre Art, and was like, ‘take it and just go’.
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How do you handle the unprofessionalism that currently exists in the film industry?
I’m focused on what I’m there to do, because there’s such a huge difference in the way I was trained, what we used to do, and what is obtainable now. There are some people who are still very professional, Kate Henshaw, Femi Jacobs, I mean, the old school actors. Maybe the new ones know about me, so when they work with me, I never had an issue with any of them; they are usually on their best behaviour. I think they just know that they should not do it because I give lectures even when you are not doing right, you just have to take me, I will advise you whether you want it or not, I think people know that about me, so they are on their best behaviour.
Out of all the new generation actors you’ve worked with, which ones do you think are exceptional?
A lot of them, I have many children, Zara Ejoh, Iyabo Ojo, Toyin Abraham, Dayo Amusa, there’s a lot of them that are quite outstanding, there’s talent in this industry.
A lot of people complain that Nollywood has a bad entry point, that anybody can be an actor. What is your take on this?
It’s the same thing worldwide, musicians cross over, celebrities crossover, TikTok sensations cross over, it’s just about money, it’s a money game. They want to make their money. If you are popular and you have a lot of followers, they will put you in a film and see how it goes, and if you can act, it is better.
Why have you not tried producing?
I have, I don’t just make noise about it, there’s one on television which was ‘Circle of 3,’ it was my production, and a few films on Africa Magic.
Are you planning to start a YouTube channel?
Very soon, but what I’m doing now is that I want to build my library, because I don’t like to be in one place, so I don’t want a situation where I start something and then it’s lagging. So I want to build a library for about eight months. I want to see what I can come up with.
What do you say about the pay gap that some producers create between actors and celebrities who star in movies but are not actors?
I don’t think they get paid more than the top actors. At the end of the day, it’s your negotiation, and you have your manager. So if you negotiate low, that’s what you get.
In all the years in Nollywood, are there things that you have regretted?
I don’t like to regret stuff; I like to believe that I learned, and I’ve learned from quite a few things.
Can you tell us a few things?
Women are the devil. Why do women engage in unnecessary rivalry, and what does it mean? I’ve never in my own heart been anyone’s rival, and I never will. Some people also overdo things. You don’t call someone for acting, and say ‘Come and do it for me for free, except you are giving it back somehow. You have to pay them what makes sense. Like when I shot a film four years ago, Iyabo was in it, and she didn’t collect a kobo. But it was not because I didn’t offer the money, she just refused and was like you are my mummy, I won’t take it. But we must always understand when we are asking for a favour. A lot of women are only pretending; they are the devil. They see other women, and instantly, they are checking them out from head to toe. Some people assess everything. If you put Shakespeare in front of me, I can quote for you, but I can’t assess anything. But that is society’s standard of how much you have achieved in life.
What’s your idea of marriage?
Finding the person you want to spend the rest of your life with, that person who can get you, your person.
In one of your interviews, you said you had not gotten married because the person you wanted to get married to died. Can you shed more light on this with us?
That was not how I phrased it. I said my person died; it’s taken me so long to find somebody who was my person. I’m very particular about what I want, and I want someone who will love me the way I want to be loved, a God fearing person who will love me for who I am.
It is believed that a lot of people believe that actresses find it difficult to get married and keep marriages. What is your take on this?
It’s a big fat lie; it’s in every industry. Unfortunately, we are in a little box, so everybody is staring at us, looking at what we are doing, so that’s what it looks like. But it’s happening to everybody; it’s happening everywhere in Nigeria. Look at statistics, it’s everywhere. We started it by not accepting what our mother accepted, saying, ‘I will not stay with the man if I’m not happy’, it’s all trauma-based. You lived the experience with your parents, and you don’t know the good time from the bad time because you carry the trauma. I tell people that when you become an adult, you have to look back at your parents with adult eyes, so you can see their feelings, flaws and still love them.
What movies are the pipeline people should look out for?
I have one we just shot, but it’s going to the festival first, so I think that it would take like two years before it comes out at the cinema. If you’ve not seen ‘To Kill a Monkey,’ please go and watch it; it’s a conversation starter. Though people hated me, it shows that Nigerians are all armed robbers.
What would you be telling young girls who walk up to you that they want to act?
They will always want mentorship, but it will be hard for me to mentor people now. But what I always tell people to do is go for an audition, follow the right person, the directors; they will always put up audition notices. If you are good, they will surely give you a role; nobody will ask you to do anything weird. This industry is led by a majority of women, after marketers. So you won’t find people telling you to come and meet me in the hotel, go for more auditions, or go to a school. There are so many avenues for you to do that, do something on social media, do a little act, if it’s a trend, some people will call you, but if you have talent, you might as well be called.
