Veteran Nollywood actress Ronke Oshodi Oke has shared the principles she believes have helped her remain relevant in Nigeria’s film industry for more than two decades, emphasising that discipline, consistency, and professionalism remain the foundation of a successful acting career.
The actress, whose real name is Ibironke Ojo, made the remarks during an interview with Saturday Beats, reflecting on her journey in Nollywood and the industry’s evolving nature.
Having remained a familiar face on screens for over twenty years, Ronke said longevity in acting requires more than talent alone. According to her, commitment to one’s craft and taking every opportunity seriously are essential for survival in a highly competitive industry.
She also pushed back against the growing narrative that younger actors are more interested in social media fame than professional development.
According to the actress, while there may be a few exceptions, many of the industry’s younger stars are hardworking and focused on building lasting careers.
“It’s not all of them. Most of them are serious,” she said.
“If you are doing something and you are not serious about it, you will face the consequences. We are not joking in Nollywood.”
Ronke explained that the film industry can be unforgiving to those who fail to approach their work with dedication.
“If you come and you want to pose, you want to come and play, you will face the consequence,” she added.
To illustrate her point, she singled out popular actor Timini Egbuson as a younger performer who takes his profession seriously.
“Take Timini, for example; he is a very lovely boy and takes his job very seriously,” she said.
The actress also spoke about her experience working on Ajosepo: The Gathering, revealing that she approaches every role with the same level of commitment regardless of its size.
For Ronke, acting is not simply about appearing in films but about fully immersing herself in the character and delivering the strongest performance possible.
“I see each and every role as an opportunity,” she explained.
“So when I am acting, it is not me; it is God. When I am acting, I am always in that script. I always want to give the best.”
Reflecting on the remarkable longevity of her career, Ronke attributed her continued relevance to divine grace, hard work, and consistency rather than personal connections or lobbying for opportunities.
“I don’t do anything; it has been God all the while,” she said.
“How many producers will I call? How many people will I say, ‘please come and give me jobs’?”
The actress stressed that every role, no matter how small, deserves maximum effort.
“Even if I am given one or two scenes, I take it seriously,“ she added.
Ronke’s career story remains one of the most enduring in the Yoruba movie industry.
She rose to prominence in the late 1990s and became a household name after starring in the movie Oshodi Oke. This role became so closely associated with her that she adopted it as her professional name.
Since then, she has built an extensive filmography across both Yoruba- and English-language productions, earning respect as one of Nollywood’s most consistent performers.
Her comments arrive at a time when conversations about professionalism, social media influence, and career sustainability continue to dominate the entertainment industry in Nigeria.
For aspiring actors, Ronke’s message was clear: talent may open doors, but discipline, humility, and dedication keep them open for decades.
After more than twenty years in front of the camera, the actress believes her journey is proof that lasting success in Nollywood is earned through hard work, not shortcuts.
