Actress Damilola Oni alleges career sabotage by senior colleague

Actress Damilola Oni has revealed that a senior colleague once attempted to derail her career by refusing to work with her, resulting in her being reassigned from a lead role to a minor part. Speaking on Oyinmomo TV, Oni said the incident occurred during a production where she was initially billed as the lead.

“I had waited for five, six, and even eight hours, and no one had attended to me. Later, the producer explained that the person we were supposed to act with issued an ultimatum, saying they could not work on the same set with me,” Oni said. Despite the setback, she chose to stay and accept a smaller role, expressing determination to succeed in the industry. “Leaving would mean allowing the person to crush me. The sky is big enough for everyone to fly,” she added.

Oni also spoke on challenges faced by women in the entertainment industry, including online harassment and explicit messages from men. She stressed that being single does not mean accepting unwanted advances.

The actress further criticized the industry’s emphasis on hype over talent, noting that self-promotion often outweighs actual skill. “From time immemorial, the person with hype mostly excels over the talented ones,” she said.

Oni’s comments highlight both the personal and systemic challenges female actors face in Nigeria’s entertainment sector, while reinforcing her resolve to carve out a successful career despite obstacles.