Actress Bukunmi Oluwasina has said the popular slogan “women supporting women” is a scam in Nollywood.
In an interview with BBC Pidgin, the Citation actress said most of the support among women in the industry is fake and short-lived.
“You know say women supporting women for Nollywood na scam,” she said. “E no dey always long. Even if they support each other, we know how e dey, but we dey see the men and dem dey do am. Everybody know say woman enemy na fellow woman.
“No be only for Nollywood. Women supporting women at some point, you go just see am. Even if dem talk say e dey happen, you go feel am say na scam. E no dey happen, and even if e happen, sometimes e no dey genuine.”
The actress, known for her emotional roles in Yoruba films, added that some women in the industry find it easier to help men financially than to assist their fellow women.
“If you follow one woman talk, you go hear them talk say dem fit borrow man money make e start business, but to borrow fellow woman money make she start business e dey always hard. I no know how the thing dey like that. I no fault anybody, but e just dey,” she added.
Bukunmi, who graduated from Obafemi Awolowo University with a degree in Theatre Arts, also addressed the perception that female actors rely on sponsors to succeed.
“Women dey industry wey no get sponsor, dem dey do the work, the work dey show, we know dem, we see dem and their work. But na other people wey dey under their shadow dey use am run their thing, dey water down those women effort, making it look like everybody get sponsor,” she said.
Bukunmi made her acting debut in 2015 with the movie Ayomi, which she also produced and wrote. The film launched her career and earned her several award nominations.
