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Talks About Her Success Story In The Movie Industry
Her name is BIG in the movie industry. Star Actress Bimbo Akintola stands today as one of the most influential and enduring actresses in her industry. She is a performer whose remarkable journey has shaped the direction of modern Nigerian cinema for nearly thirty years. Emerging in the 1990s with a bold and distinctive voice, she developed a reputation for versatility, emotional depth and an approach to storytelling driven by instinct, intelligence and conviction.
Trained in Theatre Arts at the University of Ibadan, she has built a career defined by thoughtful choices and a fierce dedication to meaningful roles. Her latest performance in the critically acclaimed film ‘To Kill A Monkey’ has once again placed her at the centre of national conversation.
In an exclusive interview with City People, a few days back, this amazing, loving and charismatic actor was asked about her life, her beliefs, the evolving creative space and the deeper reasons behind her decision to take the detective role that has gripped audiences across Nigeria. She began the interaction with her characteristic warmth, greeting the interviewer with excitement. When teased about winning an award that day, she laughed gently and mentioned that she had actually received one the previous day.
From those opening moments, the conversation naturally drifted into the values, passions and perspectives that keep her rooted.
One subject that quickly stood out was her advocacy for Nigerian fashion designers and artisans. Akintola revealed that nearly all the bags she uses are made in Nigeria. She explained that she has always felt a responsibility to uplift creators within her own country. According to her, supporting homegrown talent is not a trend but a principle she lives by. She believes that Nigerians must hold their own in high esteem for others to do the same. She spoke with pride as she displayed the craftsmanship of the handbag she carried, noting that her journey into embracing indigenous products began with supporting young female entrepreneurs. That early interest exposed her to the extraordinary creativity of local designers and inspired her to make it a consistent personal mission. Beyond handbags, she also wears locally made clothes and has begun collecting Nigerian footwear, explaining that these items reflect the resilience and artistic brilliance of the country’s skilled creators.
Her commitment to intentional living extends beyond fashion and into her views about privacy. When asked why she maintains a minimal presence on social media despite her long standing fame, she answered simply that she enjoys her privacy. She understands the usefulness of online platforms for promotion and communication but prefers a life that is not dictated by constant public attention. For her, acting is the heart of her profession and she wants to keep her energy focused on her craft. Even when told that she had been tagged in videos earlier that day, she brushed it aside with laughter, explaining that she had not checked. The digital world, she said, is not a place she frequents.
The interview then moved to a subject that has become increasingly important in global entertainment: Artificial (AI) intelligence. Akintola admitted that she only recently discovered how little she actually understood about AI until colleagues enlightened her. That realisation surprised her deeply. She pointed out that older generations believe strongly in direct human connection while younger Nigerians are naturally more comfortable in digital spaces. She stressed that AI is already embedded in the future of the industry and cannot be ignored. Her concern lies not in the technology itself but in how it may be misused. She spoke strongly about the dangers of manipulation, including faked voice recordings and edited videos. She insisted on the need for strict laws that protect creatives because without regulation, actors might one day find themselves blamed for actions or statements generated artificially. She joked that if people ever see her speaking online, it might actually be an artificial system imitating her.
When the conversation returned to To Kill A Monkey, City People asked her about her portrayal of a woman navigating trauma, grief and the subtle unraveling of her emotional stability. Akintola’s connection to the character became immediately clear. She revealed that the moment she read the script, she was drawn to that particular role above every other. The emotional weight of the story stayed with her from the first reading. She explained that Nigeria rarely confronts the reality of mental health and she saw this character as a chance to shed light on an issue many prefer to ignore. The film never labels her character explicitly yet viewers can clearly see the behaviours associated with psychological distress. For Akintola, the story offered a realistic portrayal of individuals who live among us, carrying silent burdens that society often fails to recognise. She felt compelled to bring authenticity and empathy into the performance, hoping it would spark conversations about support, awareness and understanding.
She also shared her thoughts about Nigerian youths and the criticisms often directed at them. She dismissed claims that young people are lazy. She argued that older generations misjudge them because their work takes place in digital environments that some are unfamiliar with. Many young Nigerians, she emphasized, earn legitimate income through online platforms and creative digital work. Instead of dismissing them, she encouraged society to recognise their creativity, their resilience and the new possibilities they are building for themselves.
Throughout the interview, Akintola returned repeatedly to the theme of supporting Nigerian creativity. She insisted that no nation grows without believing in the value of its own people and products. She wants Nigerians to consciously uplift local talent and prioritise homegrown originality. She believes that if Nigerians themselves refuse to acknowledge the importance of what they produce, no one else will.
As the discussion expanded to reflect her broader career, it became clear that her dedication to meaningful storytelling has shaped every important decision she has made. Since her early breakthrough in Owo Blow and her celebrated performance in Out of Bounds, she has been known for choosing roles that demand depth and sincerity. She has never been the type to accept a script simply because it is offered. Every project must hold emotional or intellectual value. She described her acting philosophy as one rooted in truth and purpose. Her choices across the decades reflect a desire to engage audiences with stories that matter and characters that reveal something essential about human experience.
In To Kill A Monkey, that philosophy guided her once again. She recognised a story that went beyond entertainment, touching on loss, psychological struggle and the quiet battles people fight behind closed doors. For her, the film was an opportunity to present a mirror to society, urging viewers to pay attention to the emotional realities of those around them. She believes the film offers only a glimpse of what many people endure every day, and she hopes audiences will take the message to heart.
When asked whether fans should expect a continuation of the story, she smiled and deferred the decision to director Kemi Adetiba. Her playful response has sparked curiosity among viewers who hope the film will one day receive a sequel. Whether or not that happens, Akintola’s performance has left a lasting impression on audiences who appreciate the sincerity and emotional honesty she brought to the role.
As the conversation drew to a close, she returned once more to a theme she holds dear. She encouraged Nigerians to value their own talents, their own products and their own storytelling traditions. She believes that communities thrive when they uplift their creators. Her reflections across the interview painted a portrait of an artist deeply connected to her culture and committed to her principles. Her performance in To Kill A Monkey is more than another role. It is a deliberate, thoughtful act of advocacy. It highlights mental health, challenges silence and demonstrates the power of film to bring difficult truths into the open. Through her exclusive conversation, Bimbo Akintola reaffirms her place as one of Nollywood’s most compelling voices, a performer devoted to using her craft to enlighten, inspire and elevate the stories that define the nation.
By Benprince Ezeh
(08068599879)
