Nollywood actor Zubby Michael has offered his perspective on what he believes is one of the reasons some Igbo talents receive limited support from established figures in Nigeria’s entertainment industry.
Michael made the comments during an interview with Broadway TV while discussing mentorship, career development and the challenges faced by emerging entertainers.
According to the actor, some industry executives are reluctant to mentor or support Igbo talents because they fear the younger professionals could quickly acquire their skills, become successful and eventually turn into competitors.
“Igbo people are fast learners and they are capable of making it big with just a little,” Michael said.
He explained that an established professional could spend years developing a particular skill, while a talented mentee might learn the same craft within a relatively short period.
“You might decide to mentor an Igbo person and what took you 10 years to learn, he will learn it in one year and six months,” he stated.
Michael further argued that the situation could become more complicated when a mentee leaves to establish an independent career or business.
“And if you don’t treat him well, he will leave you and start doing the same business you taught him and become your competition. So, people are scared of that,” he added.
The actor also claimed that the reluctance is not restricted to executives from other ethnic groups. He alleged that some Igbo industry leaders are similarly hesitant to support upcoming Igbo talents because they fear being surpassed by those they mentor.
“Industry executives, including some Igbos, don’t like supporting Igbos because they feel like they will get betrayed by their mentee outshining them,” Michael said.
His comments have added another dimension to ongoing discussions about mentorship, representation and investment in Nigeria’s entertainment industry. The remarks come shortly after veteran actor Francis Duru called for greater investment in Igbo stories and cultural productions.
While Michael’s claims reflect his personal assessment, they have sparked debate about whether established entertainers should view emerging talents as potential rivals or invest in them as the next generation of industry professionals.
Zubby Michael remains a prominent Nollywood actor, known for his roles in numerous Nigerian films. His latest comments have renewed conversations about opportunities and support for emerging talents across the country.
