Award-winning actress Ivie Okujaye has returned to the spotlight with the new film Osamede, a role that demanded her to portray the authority of a young queen.
In a candid chat with The Cable, she opened up about the realities of being a woman in Nollywood, the challenges of motherhood, and why age and body-shaming remain unfair hurdles for female actors.
Reflecting on her journey from winning the Amstel Malta Box Office reality TV show to starring in international projects and Netflix productions, Ivie described her career as “eventful and balanced.” She said, “I have basically experienced a lot of the industry, and it has been beautiful.”
The actress, who took a break from acting to focus on her family, explained that the hiatus was intentional. “I wanted to have my kids at a relatively young age, and I’m happy I made the decision.” She added that the time away helped her grow personally, saying, “I have learnt patience, how to handle humans, and how to be more strategic in my thinking.”
Her break, however, coincided with the rise of social media as a major casting tool. “Social media was determining who was getting work,” she said. She admitted she could have used her platforms more effectively. “I didn’t realise YouTube was taking over,” she noted, revealing she has had a channel since 2014 but never used it meaningfully.
Speaking about how she landed the lead role in Osamede, Okujaye said, “I actually have no idea how I got the role… I was just chilling the day James Omokwe called me to tell me that the first time he and the executive producer discussed the actress to play the lead, my name was what everyone mentioned at the same time.”
Although she initially worried about the language requirement, she said, “I knew I wanted to do it.” Playing a young queen, she explained, meant embodying authority and boldness.
ivie, who has also ventured into directing, described the experience as empowering. “There is something so empowering about being a director,” she said. Though directing does not yet pay as much as acting, she intends to balance both while giving opportunities to younger talent.
The actress spoke extensively about how women experience Nollywood differently depending on their age. “The major challenge women in Nollywood have is different across age groups. Women in their 20s and 30s don’t have many struggles in terms of relevance, but they still face challenges with opportunities. I’m happy the industry is at a point where anyone can create a space for themselves, not like before when marketers were needed.”
But she said viewers are harsher on older actresses. “For women transitioning from their late 20s to their late 40s, I would say viewers are a bit harsh on them. There is an unrealistic expectation, like saying someone in her 40s is getting old, and you see things like age shaming and body shaming. It’s almost like women are not allowed to age, and it’s unfair.”
She added that many fans judge women harshly once they no longer look as youthful.
Ivie has also managed to avoid scandals despite the industry’s love for controversy. She credited her stability to her long-term relationship with her husband, whom she met at 18 and describes as her first and only boyfriend.
