In a motivational mic drop that’s resonating across Nigeria’s bustling entertainment scene, controversial yet charismatic actor Yul Edochie has schooled aspiring thespians on the art of overdelivering, insisting that true stars don’t let slim paychecks dim their dazzle. “If you collect ₦10k role, give $100m performance,” the 43-year-old screen icon proclaimed in a viral social media sermon, blending street-smart wisdom with a call to elevate the craft amid Nollywood’s perennial budget blues.
The advice, dropped like a plot twist in one of his own flicks, surfaced during a casual Instagram Live session on Friday evening, where Edochie fielded questions from fans about breaking into the industry. Dressed in his signature agbada flair, the actor – fresh off roles in hits like My Wife and I and his directorial debut The Throne – didn’t hold back on the realities of low-paying gigs. “No matter how small the money, pour your soul into it. That’s how you build legend status,” he emphasized, drawing from his two-decade hustle from bit parts to blockbuster leads. The clip, which has since exploded to over 1.2 million views, features Edochie gesturing animatedly: “₦10,000 today could lead to ₦10 million tomorrow – but only if your talent screams louder than your salary slip.”
Edochie’s words strike a chord in an industry where actors often lament peanuts for passion projects. With Nollywood churning out over 2,500 films annually on shoestring budgets, many talents juggle side hustles just to stay afloat. “It’s not about the naira; it’s about the narrative you create,” he added, shading half-hearted performers who “phone it in” for quick cash. The post comes amid his own glow-up: After weathering personal storms like his polygamy announcement and family feuds, Edochie has pivoted to motivational content, amassing 4.7 million Instagram followers who devour his blend of Igbo proverbs and Hollywood hustle tips.
The internet’s abuzz, with netizens hailing it as “Edochie’s best script yet.” “Uncle Yul just fixed half of Nollywood’s wahala,” tweeted one fan, while another quipped, “$100m performance for ₦10k? That’s inflation-proof advice!” Emerging stars like Nancy Isime and Timini Egbuson echoed the sentiment in reposts, with Isime adding, “Preach! Talent tax is real.” But not everyone’s buying the sermon – critics, still salty from Edochie’s 2023 AMVCA shade-throwing, called it “easy talk from a nepo baby.” (Edochie, son of veteran Pete Edochie, has long defended his grind against dynasty digs.)
This isn’t Yul’s first foray into actor advocacy; he’s previously roasted “lazy” scripts and championed mental health breaks for overworked casts. As Nollywood eyes global streams via Netflix deals, his message could be the spark for a new wave of committed creatives. Will it end the era of “pay me my dough” rants? One thing’s sure: In Edochie’s playbook, every role’s a redemption arc. Aspiring actors, take notes – and overact accordingly. Naija’s silver screen just got a performance boost. Stay tuned for the encore.