Agbolade Omowole urges Nollywood to prioritise longevity

By Ayo Onikoyi

Nigerian author and researcher, Agbolade Omowole, has called on Nollywood to make longevity education and the wellbeing of its practitioners a priority, following a string of deaths involving members of the film industry.

Omowole, who researches healthy longevity in Africa, said the demanding nature of filmmaking makes it important for actors and other industry professionals to pay greater attention to their health and overall wellbeing.

“I’m not here to criticize Nollywood. I’m here to help it stop losing legends before their time. Reach out. Let’s build a healthier industry – together,” he said.

His call comes against the backdrop of several high-profile deaths that have shaken the Nigerian film industry in recent years.

Omowole, who is featured in Healthy Longevity: Policies and Practices, a 2026 volume published by Springer Nature, said his research into healthy ageing in Africa has reinforced the need for greater awareness of longevity.

“Our actors work under intense pressure—long shoots, irregular sleep, poor diet, lack of health insurance, and financial instability,” he said.

According to him, the absence of adequate education around healthy living could continue to put practitioners at risk.

“Without education on healthy longevity, the entertainment industry will keep losing its brightest talents in their 40s, 50s, and even 30s,” Omowole added.

He stressed that addressing the problem should go beyond individual responsibility, arguing that the industry needs stronger structures that support the physical and financial wellbeing of its practitioners.

For Omowole, the goal is not to criticise Nollywood but to encourage stakeholders to build an industry where actors can sustain their careers while also enjoying longer and healthier lives.

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