Veteran Nollywood actor Sunday Afolabi, best known for his role in the Yoruba classic Owo Blow, broke down in tears during an emotional interview on the Talk to B show, revealing the severe financial hardships that forced him to sell his car and take up driving commercial minibuses.
From Screen Star to Commercial Bus Driver
Afolabi, who sat with actress Biola Bayo on her show, shared that he relocated from Lagos to Badagry in search of stability, a move that he says set back his acting career. "I relocated to Badagry because I wanted to have a building of my own. It has affected my career. It has caused a lot of setback especially for my major profession which is acting," he told Bayo.
With acting roles drying up and his photography business stalling, Afolabi found himself unable to maintain his Nissan Quest. A broken shock absorber remained unfixed for nearly two years before he eventually sold the vehicle for N180,000—an amount insufficient to purchase a new motorcycle. "I sold my Nissan Quest to buy a fairly used motorcycle. The money was not enough to buy a new one," he explained.
Earlier in 2026, footage of Afolabi calling out passenger destinations from Lagos commercial minibuses circulated widely online, drawing concern from the public. He acknowledged the video but insisted his actions were born of dignity, not despair. "What I hate most in my life is to beg for food. I would rather do any legitimate job," he said firmly.
Emotional Reunion with Painful Memories
The interview took an emotional turn when Afolabi recounted a painful encounter with a stranger who recognised him. "A man saw me and insulted me," he shared, before composing himself. He revealed that thinking about what his wife and children had endured alongside him was enough to reduce him to tears mid-sentence.
Afolabi's career spans decades, beginning in 1970s Lagos as a theatre drummer before transitioning to television during the ANTPC era. He appeared in productions including Village Headmaster, Super Story, Trace by Moonlight, and Nowhere to be Found.
By the end of the interview, host Biola Bayo made a direct appeal to viewers, calling for donations of a working car and better accommodation for the actor so he could potentially work with Uber.
Fans Rally Behind Sunday Afolabi
The clip stirred strong emotions online, with many fans recalling the impact of his performances. @shuga_8 commented: "Omo if they wan run gofundme for this guy, I'll gladly drop my hard earned money, I can never forget his role in owo blow." @papumatic wrote: "He is one of the best actors from Nigeria. He delivered his role so well. I'm a fan."
@dupsonproperties shared: "It is well ooo… this man and his word in owo blow still echo till date… 'shey e mi ni bros, baba e ni bros, ilalaye e ni bros, gbogbo ile yin ni bros'. I pray the universe be kind to him. Amen." @realtalk_with_mummy_j reacted: "How did we get here? He was a very good actor o for both English and Yoruba o." @_toye40 said: "May the universe comes through for him. He was a fantastic actor."
Broader Context of Nollywood Struggles
Earlier, Legit.ng reported that veteran Nollywood actor Roy De Nani shared the heartbreaking tragedy that shaped his life during his darkest moments. The movie star revealed on a podcast that he lost his son and daughter because he could not afford to pay for their urgent blood transfusions. He lamented that his colleagues in the entertainment industry abandoned him during his grief, though he remains dedicated to his filmmaking career today.
Afolabi's story highlights the precarious financial reality facing many veteran actors, and the public response suggests a growing willingness to support those who have entertained audiences for decades.
