Actress Ibironke Ojo, popularly known as Ronke Oshodi-Oke, has opened up about the factors she believes have helped her remain relevant in Nollywood for more than two decades.
Speaking in an interview with Saturday Beats, the actress said discipline, professionalism and consistency are essential for anyone hoping to build a lasting career in the film industry.
Ronke also challenged the perception that many younger actors are distracted by social media, insisting that a good number of them remain dedicated to their work.
“It’s not all of them. Most of them are serious. If you are doing something and you are not serious about it, you will face the consequences. We are not joking in Nollywood. If you come and you want to pose, you want to come and play, you will face the consequence. Take Timini, for example; he is a very lovely boy and takes his job very seriously,” she said.
Speaking about her role in the film Ajosepo: The Gathering, Ronke said she approaches every character with commitment and sees each role as an opportunity to give her best.
“I see each and every role as an opportunity. 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. It’s mixed feelings,” she said.
Reflecting on her longevity in the industry, the actress attributed her success to divine grace, hard work and consistency rather than personal connections or lobbying for roles.
“I don’t do anything; it has been God all the while. How many producers will I call? How many people will I say, ‘please come and give me jobs’? It has just been God, and also hard work. Even if I am given one or two scenes, I take it seriously,” she added.
Ronke rose to prominence in the Yoruba movie industry in the late 1990s and became widely known after featuring in the film Oshodi Oke, from which she adopted her stage name. Since then, she has appeared in numerous Yoruba and English language productions, earning a reputation as one of Nollywood’s enduring performers.
Her comments come at a time when discussions about professionalism, social media influence and career longevity continue to shape conversations within Nigeria’s film industry.
