‘YouTube faces’ are trying to kill Nollywood — Kanayo O. Kanayo

Nollywood veteran, Kanayo O. Kanayo, has raised serious concerns about what he describes as a growing threat to creativity and talent in the industry.

The actor, known for his decades of screen excellence, said he has now taken his destiny into his own hands with the launch of Kanayo O. Kanayo TV on YouTube.

Announcing the move on his Instagram page, Kanayo explained that the decision was born out of his resolve to tell authentic stories without depending on so-called “fine faces” dominating the digital space. According to him, filmmaking should be anchored on talent and performance, not popularity.

“I have decided to take my destiny into my own hands as it pertains to my channel on YouTube. I have decided to tell a good story. It doesn’t have to be with a fine face. Movie-making is not about being a fine face. It’s about being a good actor, a good performer. If you don’t like it, that’s unfortunate,” he declared.

Kanayo warned that Nollywood is once again facing the same damaging trend of the past, when sponsors sidelined gifted actors they felt could not “sell films.” He stressed that the current obsession with a select crop of “YouTube faces” risks stifling the emergence of fresh talent and threatening the future of storytelling in the industry.

“What happened years ago, when some sponsors killed the careers of talented actors whom they believed could not sell films, is beginning to rear its ugly head. The acclaimed YouTube faces are beginning to bring up the same thing: killing the talent in the industry,” he lamented.

He revealed that some of these self-acclaimed stars now monopolise the scene, with claims of being fully booked for an entire year.

ALSO READ: Nigerians already suffering, new taxes will kill businesses — ADC

“Some of these guys will tell you they are not free from September 2025 till August 2026. How do we sustain the content of what you watch? How then do we create magic? How do we create stories or encourage new actors to come into the business if it’s only the self-acclaimed faces on YouTube? It’s not good for the industry,” he said.

With the launch of his channel, the actor extended an invitation to new talents seeking a platform to thrive. “If you are a new face, let’s create magic on the Kanayo O Kanayo TV on YouTube,” he urged.