I will only act again if Nigeria becomes better than America – Kenneth Okonkwo

• Kenneth Okonkwo revealed that he moved to politics to save Nigeria from destruction.
• He noted that his political activities and his other interests left him with very time for acting.

Renowned veteran Nollywood actor Kenneth Okonkwo, has made a bold statement about his future in the industry, declaring that he will only consider acting again if Nigeria surpasses America in terms of development and progress.

With more than 30 years of experience in the industry, the trained lawyer has emerged as a political figure in recent years, working as Peter Obi campaign’s spokesperson for the 2023 presidential election.

In an interview with the “Mic On podcast” on March 23, 2024, Kenneth Okonkwo stated that he entered politics to save Nigeria from destruction. He stated that his political activities and other interests has left little time for acting.

“I made a fortune as a Nollywood actor. It was just 2020 that I decided to start winding up,” he said. “I’ve made a determination for that to decrease so that my fight for a new Nigeria will increase. I’ve seen roles and turned them down, there’s no time anymore for it (acting),” he said.

Kenneth Okonkwo stressed that his withdrawal from the screen does not imply his retirement from the industry.

He stated that a part of him would always be present in Nollywood, and that he could always open a film school or work as an executive producer.

The only thing, according to him, that would ever tempt him to step back in front of the camera as an actor is “if Nigeria becomes better than America.”

He said:

“The possibility is there because we have all it takes — men, materials, money. One thing that’s lacking is the power to combine, utilise and allocate these resources optimally to produce the desired goods and services that will make us achieve our objectives.”

Hear him: