Actress Bimbo Akintola has recounted a frightening chapter of her life, revealing that she was stalked by a man for more than nine years, receiving up to 50 phone calls a day along with persistent, disturbing messages.
In an interview with Chude Jideonwo, Akintola explained that she concealed the ordeal from her family out of concern that her mother would be overwhelmed with worry.
She described the harassment as relentless, with unsettling messages arriving daily or every other day, causing significant fear and emotional distress.
She said, “I had some guy who stalked me for a long time. It was bad. I don’t know how it ended. I just noticed one day that he had stopped sending messages. This was over 9 years. He was stalking me for over 9 years. And he would send me messages about the things that he wanted to do or the things that he would do; it was bad.
“He made me miserable. He would call 50 times a day. He would send messages, graphic, right? How he loved me and how I was for him and how he would do. I never told my parents about it because my mom would have just panicked. But it was for a long period, constant, every day or every other day.”
Actress Bimbo Akintola has opened up about her unwavering support for President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, citing bullying as the driving force behind her endorsement.
In a recent interview on With Chude, Akintola revealed that her support for Tinubu was fueled by an opposition’s supporter who bullied her over her choice of candidate.
The actress urged Nigerians to respect differing political opinions, emphasising that everyone has the right to his/her own views.
The actress also condemned the treatment of veteran actress Joke Silva, who faced harsh criticism for her support of Tinubu.
She wrote, “I supported President Bola Ahmed Tinubu during the last election because somebody annoyed me with their bullying.
“Nigerians are annoying. Don’t bully other people. We have our rights to differences of opinion. You don’t like this man [Tinubu], cool, you have the right not to like him. You prefer this person, good for you. But don’t bully others.
“They bullied aunty Joke to the point that someone wrote something that was so inhumane. So, I made a video and said, ‘I’m also supporting Tinubu, kill me, let me see if you can change my mind.’
“We need to stop bullying. We need to agree that we can never agree with everybody. That’s what makes us great and beautiful. If we are all the same, it would be a boring life. Till tomorrow, you might not agree that he was the best person for the job, but at that point, that was who I wanted, that was who I voted for. You can’t take my voice away from me; it’s mine,” she expressed.
Veteran actress Bimbo Akintola has called for Nigerians to embrace polygamy as a part of the country’s tradition.
In a recent interview with Biola Bayo, Akintola argued that polygamy was a common practice in Yoruba families, where men often have multiple wives.
She stated that the current perceived shortage of men in society makes it practical for two women to share one husband.
She said, “With the way the world is going, people should embrace polygamy. You say marriage is everything, so if we don’t have enough men according to statistics, does that not mean two women to one man?
“I also believe it is part of our tradition. Most of Generation X, Yorubas, and even our parents had two to three wives. It was something we saw while growing up. Maybe we also noticed the disadvantages, but some people say there are advantages too.
Akintola shared a personal anecdote about a woman who brought a second wife into her home to alleviate pressure from her husband’s higher sexual needs.
According to Akintola, some women may even welcome sharing a husband as a way to maintain peace in the household.
“I know some women who would rather have a second wife. I even know someone who married a second wife for her husband so that she could have peace. They didn’t have the same libido. His was higher than hers, so she thought, ‘this man will kill me, let me find support,’ and she married a wife for him”, she added.
She also advised parents who prefer monogamy to focus on raising boys with strong values, teaching them discipline and respect from a young age to prevent infidelity and promiscuity.
“All these men we are talking about, who are polygamous and cheat, were raised by someone. Raise your son to be that kind of man so that future women, your daughters, will have men like that to marry”, she added.
Seasoned actress Bimbo Akintola has revealed that she has turned down multiple marriage proposals because she hasn’t found the right partner.
Speaking in an interview, the 52-year-old said she doesn’t view her single status as a negative, emphasising that she’s waiting for the person she wants to spend her life with.
“For me not to have found my partner, the person I want to spend the rest of my life with, I don’t see it as a negative. I’ve been proposed to many times, and I’ve said no,” she said.
She warned against rushing into marriage due to societal pressure, citing Nigeria’s rising divorce rates as a consequence of hasty decisions.
“Did you just marry because people say marry? Look at divorce ratings now in Nigeria, it’s skyrocketing. Some people are married before they leave the reception if the marriage has broken up,” she added.
Akintola also stressed the importance of teaching both sons and daughters equal responsibility and accountability.
“Teach your sons that their body is the temple of God the same way you teach your daughters. As soon as you impregnate a girl, no more school for you, my dear. Go and work and raise your child,” she said.
Additionally, she advised women to focus on building relationships with hardworking men rather than those solely defined by wealth.
Seasoned actress Bimbo Akintola has claimed that cheating is a deeply ingrained habit among Nigerian men, citing polygamy and paternal influence as contributing factors.
According to Akintola in a recent interview, a staggering 90 to 99% of Nigerian men cheat, and women should be realistic about relationships rather than living in denial.
In her words: “The majority of our men cheat. Your father cheated, sir. Sorry, I’m sorry. Your grandfather did. Polygamy, polygamy. Yes, my father has two wives.
“I don’t know where this idea of fidelity came from in Africa. The reality is 90 to 99% of our men cheat, it’s ingrained in them. Some even grew up following their fathers to see girlfriends.
She referenced high-profile couples like Beyoncé and Jay-Z, stating that even they have navigated infidelity.
She added: “You leave one man because he cheated, you go to another, the same problem. Jessie cheated on Beyoncé.
“Did she leave? No. So please, let’s talk about the reality we are facing.”
Akintola’s statements have elicited mixed reactions, with some people nodding to her perspective on cultural norms and others criticising her views as enabling infidelity.
Actress Bimbo Akintola has lamented the decline of passion in Nollywood, saying the industry has shifted from being driven by creativity and hunger to a focus on glamour and materialism.
In a recent interview, she recalled the early days when actors worked tirelessly without regard for sleep, food, or long hours, driven by a desire to make a difference.
Akintola noted that the current focus is on looks and appearances, rather than content and storytelling, citing the rise of cosmetic procedures like BBL (Brazilian Butt Lift) as evidence of this shift.
She contrasted this with the passion and dedication she observes in stage actors, who prioritise delivering their best performances.
Akintola said: “The Nollywood now, The passion is gone. When we started, when we joined the industry, it was passion driven. Hunger. It was passion driven. Hunger. How much were people being paid? It wasn’t a lot of money.
“But the passion to just make a difference, to do something that you were, you felt was your reason for being in. And every person that we met was on that same level of passion. Even the old auntie Jokey, auntie Shola, all of them were so passionate about the work. You had people who would not sleep. You should sleep on set now. You would not sleep. In fact, who’s talking about food? Who’s talking about working 12 hours or 14 hours? You work till you finish. You work till the next day. Till the next day and you’re still back there to continue. Yeah, you did a lot of overnight. It wasn’t about glamour. Our work is gritty sometimes.
“It’s not just glamour, it’s gritty, it’s reality. You need to feel it. Yeah, we reflect life back at the society. I think when you do stage, you still get that passion. You still see passion driven people who just want to do their best in front of the audience. My makeup is not right for this. No, no, I can’t wear this. Are you? Is that what the film is about? I need to wear this. I need to wear that.
“I need to do this. Well, yeah, we’re more concerned about outfits. We’re more concerned about how we look. Which is why there’s a, generally, there’s a spike in BBL. Everybody’s BBLing. Because it’s now about looks and it’s not about content. It’s not about what you have. Looks will fade no matter”.
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’.
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.
Seasoned actress Bimbo Akintola has clarified misconceptions about her personal life, revealing why she is still childless at 52.
Speaking on PulseNG, Akintola stated that her single status isn’t by choice but due to circumstances as well as high value on marriage and relationships.
She revealed that she once met someone she believed she could spend forever with but he passed away and since then, she hasn’t found anyone else who fits her ideal partner.
Akintola emphasised the importance of honesty and truth in her life, stating that she wouldn’t marry someone unless she’s sure she can spend her life with them.
According to her, she wants everything to be in truthfulness and be true to herself and God.
She added that she remains open to marriage at any age if she meets the right person, believing that marriage is a sacred union that should take place in a church, surrounded by loved ones.
She said: “I don’t have children, unfortunately. Marraige is important. Marriage is simple. It’s something that you do in the house of God.
“You go to church, call everyone that love you and say those vows that you will cherish and do the the rest of your life with. I haven’t found the person I would do the rest of my life with. I did found. But he died. And I haven’t found since then.
“And I can’t lie, I don’t know how to live a lie. I want everything to be in truthfulness. I want to be true to myself and God. I don’t think I would want to marry anyone that I won’t be able to stay with them forever
“If I think I can, if I believe I can, I would do it, even if I’m 78. Why not?.Marraige is important. It doesn’t make you, women, it’s not the end and be all of your life.
“But it’s also an important thing to do especially as you get older. And everyone is going their way, children have grown they are going their way. There’s something called loneliness, so you need a companion for the later years.”
Seasoned actress Bimbo Akintola has opened up about early encounter with junior colleague, Iyabo Ojo.
In an interview on Oyinmomo TV, Bimbo said Iyabo visited her house at 19, expressing passion for acting.
Bimbo said she was impressed by Iyabo’s determination and even helped her secure a lead role in a film.
“Iyabo came to my parents house. She was very young and I asked, ‘What do you want?’ She said she wanted to act. She was 19 when we met.
“What I like is that she went the extra mile to fulfill her acting dream,” she said.
However, things took a turn when Iyabo allegedly offended Bimbo after getting the role, particularly since Bimbo had to advocate for her to get the part.
She said the situation got complicated when Iyabo got pregnant while working on the film.
“Iyabo offended me when I got her a lead role. I don’t beg for roles, but I did for her. She was pregnant,” she said.
Actress and producer Mo Bimpe has lauded seasoned actress Bimbo Akintola, who played the role of Lisabi’s mother in her movie LISABI.
Mo Bimpe revealed that Bimbo Akintola saved the day by accepting the role at the last minute, after the initial actress cancelled on them.
Bimpe said despite her tight schedule, Bimbo Akintola travelled to Oyo, underwent training, and completed her scenes within 12 hours, before catching a flight to the US.
She expressed gratitude to Akintola for saving the day and delivering a flawless performance despite the challenging circumstances.
She praised Akintola’s professionalism, dedication, and kindness, and thanked her for making the film special.
Mo Bimpe wrote: “I’ll be talking about LISABI’s mother- The legendary BIMBO AKINTOLA.
“The role was originally for someone very dear to me but at the last minute, she cancelled on me. I was devastated. This wasn’t just any role. For me,it was the most crucial part of the film and I had personally casted my fav for this role, “How do I get another perfect actor in such a short time”?. An A list actor who will bring our vision to life in some hours felt impossible. At that moment, I just went somewhere, broke down and cried my eyes out!
“My husband, however, refused to give up. He placed a call through on the spot after deep thinking to Aunty Bimbo. She wasn’t available, she was to travel out of the country the next day! but when she heard the story and how tight we were, she said YES! She made a trip down to Oyo, had her training and took her scenes all under 12 hours so she could make it back to Lagos to catch her flight to the US. She made a promise and she fulfilled her promise!
“I’ve seen some reviews that we didn’t dive deep into Lisabi’s mother, but you all didn’t realize how tough it was, we even had to cut out some intended scenes, It was literally one of the most hectic day on set for all of us! We were on our feet all day! but thankfully, Mama didn’t just deliver, she gave everything, a special delivery! Truly flawless! As you all can see!
“Here’s me saying thank you my woman @bimboakintola for making this film even more special! You will call one and ten will answer. We are truly grateful! May God bring you helpers from where you least expect because you came through for us at our lowest! I have been your fan since I was a child and glad to finally work with you on my own project Ma.
“In all you do, Please do not ever give up no matter the circumstance or challenges you face, One thing is certain, when we humans decide to be humans, God will always show up as God. I am grateful to everyone who supported me on my first massive project, you have given me your Aro, I will be happy to repay whenever you need me by Gods grace. Thank you all ! Await more stories, I have a lot to say.”
