Veteran Nollywood actor Lateef Babatunde Bamgbose, popularly known as Baba Fokoko, has expressed concern over the decline of stage plays in Nigeria, blaming social media for promoting what he described as unprofessional actors and actresses at the expense of trained performers.
Speaking on issues affecting the entertainment industry and national development, Bamgbose said religion and acting should be separated, stressing that despite coming from a family rooted in Sango worship, he remains a committed Muslim and avoids roles that conflict with his faith.
“Religion and profession are two different things. I am a staunch Muslim. I am from a Sango worshipping family. I will not be given a traditional role that will affect me. Any work that has to do with incantation, I don’t take because I am not a traditional worshipper,” he said.
The actor lamented the disappearance of stage plays, which he described as the foundation of professional acting in Nigeria.
“I am not happy that we are not doing stage play again. I wish stage play can come back. Social media has destroyed acting. Those who are making it now are unprofessional actors and actresses who did not learn the job. They are making it on social media because they have followership and so they are the ones being invited to act,” Bamgbose stated.
He also criticised government neglect of the creative industry, saying actors are not adequately supported despite the sector’s potential to generate revenue for the country.
“The government doesn’t value us. They were supposed to provide funds for us to work. If the government funds acting very well, they will also generate revenue from us,” he said.
On national issues, Bamgbose said President Bola Ahmed Tinubu was making efforts to address the country’s economic challenges, particularly after the removal of fuel subsidy.
“Tinubu is trying. After fuel subsidy, the allocations to the states increased tremendously. The question is whether our states justify the money or allocations they are collecting and whether they spend it in a way that the masses will benefit from it,” he said.
The actor also raised concerns over insecurity in the country, questioning how state governors utilise security votes amid persistent attacks by bandits and terrorists.
“We have insecurity in Nigeria. Are the state governors spending the security vote rightly, particularly for the eradication of bandits and terrorists? Why are we deceiving ourselves? People should ask questions about how governors are spending security votes,” he added.
Bamgbose further compared present-day politicians with late nationalist leader Obafemi Awolowo, whom he praised for prioritising the welfare of the people through policies such as free education.
“During Awolowo’s time, the Western Region was being emulated by other regions because he was doing well. Why are current politicians not learning from Awolowo? They call themselves political children of Awolowo but they are not doing what he did. They didn’t serve the people the way Awolowo served the people,” he said.
He recalled benefiting from Awolowo’s free education programme, lamenting that public funds meant for the masses are now allegedly diverted by those in government.
