Popular talent manager Olakunle Adediwura Oni, widely known as Lakunle, has opened up about the realities of managing Nollywood stars, comparing the relationship to marriage and highlighting the challenges posed by social media.
From Production to Talent Management
Lakunle began his career as an associate producer at Goldmyne TV, where he noticed gaps in the Nollywood industry. While musicians often had structured management, actors typically relied on personal assistants who later became managers. This inspired him to pursue professional talent management.
He landed his first major client, actress Ronke Odusanya (Flakky), around 2013 or 2014. Since then, he has worked with stars like Ruth Kadiri, Femi Adebayo, and others, building a reputation for fostering long-term career growth.
Managing Talents Is Like Marriage
Lakunle emphasized that the manager-talent relationship mirrors marriage, involving disagreements but requiring resolution for the show to go on. He stated: "We basically just have this understanding that the relationship between a talent manager and a talent is that of a husband and wife. We quarrel, we fight, but we resolve it."
He noted that one of the most rewarding aspects is witnessing talents flourish, citing Ruth Kadiri's success with her film "Alaye" on Prime Video.
Social Media Pressure Remains a Major Challenge
Despite successes, Lakunle admitted that managing public perception and online criticism is extremely difficult. False stories and attacks can emotionally affect celebrities and harm brand relationships. He explained: "Social media can add a very huge jab to the talent. Managing that aspect is a lot because fans don't know that these things affect our talents."
He added that managers often know the truth behind rumors but cannot respond to every allegation, which transfers emotional burden to them.
Why Stars Need Professional Managers
Lakunle stressed that actors and musicians cannot build lasting careers alone. Using Michael Jackson's documentary as an example, he argued that every successful talent requires a strong team for planning and projection. He said: "To build and have a structure for a long time requires a lot of planning and projection. You cannot do it on your own."
He advised Nollywood talents seeking consistency to assemble a trusted professional team.
Emotional Tribute to Late Alexx Ekubo
Lakunle also reflected on his relationship with the late actor Alexx Ekubo, describing him as cheerful and scandal-free. He expressed heartbreak over his passing and urged people to check on loved ones, noting that Nollywood would deeply miss him.
Femi Adebayo on His Father's Influence
In related news, actor Femi Adebayo credited his father, Adebayo Salami, for shaping his career. He initially studied law but fell in love with acting after accompanying his father to movie sets during school breaks.
