Lilian Afegbai Speaks On Being Sidelined With Minor Roles By Nollywood Friends
Nollywood actress Lilian Afegbai has shared her struggles in the Nigerian film industry, revealing how some of her friends in the business repeatedly gave her only minor roles despite her acting skills.
The 33-year-old star, best known for her performance in the Netflix crime thriller To Kill a Monkey, said she often found herself being cast as an extra in big productions, even by people she considered friends. She explained that while taking a cameo role is normal for any actor, it became frustrating when it happened repeatedly and her talent was overlooked.
According to Afegbai, whenever she reminded them that she was a professional actress capable of taking on more significant roles, they would still insist on assigning her background parts. She said this made her feel sidelined and undervalued in the industry she has worked hard to be part of.
“People that I know, friends in the production industry, casting me as an extra and not an actor. It’s different when you play a cameo, but when it becomes the norm and your friends forget you are an actor, then tell you to come and play extra, it’s hurtful,” she explained.
Despite these challenges, Afegbai’s recent role as Idia in To Kill a Monkey became a turning point in her career. The series, directed by award-winning filmmaker Kemi Adetiba, explores themes of cybercrime, betrayal, and survival, featuring an impressive cast that includes Stella Damasus, Bucci Franklin, and Chidi Mokeme.
Her performance in the series allowed her to show depth, strength, and emotional range, which earned her praise from viewers and critics. Many fans see it as proof of her ability to handle complex characters if given the right opportunity.
Afegbai’s story sheds light on the struggles many talented actors face in Nollywood, where relationships in the industry can sometimes overshadow skill and dedication. Her experience has sparked conversations among fans about the need for fair casting that recognises true talent.
For Afegbai, this chapter in her career has only strengthened her determination to pursue bigger roles and make a lasting mark in the Nigerian film industry.
