OT Fagbenle

You were trained at the Royal Academy of Arts. Where does talent end or training start to make a star?

I think the greatest talent anybody can have is inexhaustible hardwork. The greatest talent anybody can have is also strong determination to succeed, progressing everyday. As long as you have talent you got to get skill and skill is something you can learn and you can channel the talent through. But opportunity is important for talent to flower

What is your perception of the Nigerian film industry?

To be honest, you know my history teacher will say that not everybody deserves an opinion, everybody deserves informed opinion and I wouldn’t say I am informed on Nigerian film. But from what I know of (I cannot make any opinion on what I don’t know about) it is exciting.

Can you name some Nigerian stars or actors or actresses you have watched?

My two favourite Nigerian actors are Sophie Okenedo. Okenedo is the most underated star at the moment. This is a Nigerian artist that was nominated for the Oscar, she was on the broadway and she is just extraordinary and am looking forward to meeting more of the stars in Nigeria that are yet to break…

Why are you in Nigeria?

Am here to see my father, Tunde Fagbenle. I think it is easy to get caught up in a world in Hollywood and England and kinda of loose touch and Olatunde must come back. Really the main reason is to reconnect with the family but I also understand that for me to sustain in Nigeria I must have a way to contribute.

OT Fagbenle

Piracy is a major issue in Nigeria. What advice do you have for Nigerian artists?

To be honest I think it is a challenge. As we are talking, we make one advice, it might change again but I think the module we are working on is the streaming module both in music and television from traditional to streaming. Amazon and others, the way they monetize their content, though they had platforms that have free access but they had to monetize because of the subscriptions. But the challenge really is for Nigerians. It will get to a point that their streaming can be dependable enough. So it is going to be necessary for the government to support artistes by creating the kind of infrastructure that allows artistes to monetize their wares. Outside of that, live performance, theatre, live shows are great ways to get an income.

Do you have any future plans to assist upcoming artistes in theatre

It will very interesting working Nigerian educational institutions to try and help their young people or maybe run some free classes to help young people develop their skills and they can decide whatever they want to do – theatre or radio or television.

On a lighter mood, if you offered a chieftancy title from your home town will you take it?

I have to know first of all what that means because I have to know what my responsibilities are and what I have to make out of it. But I’m open to offers!