Nollywood actress Dayo Amusa has criticised Nigerians who consistently demand that celebrities speak up on the country’s challenges, especially insecurity and recent cases of abductions.
Her comments come amid ongoing public debate over the role of entertainers in national conversations following the kidnapping of schoolchildren and teachers in parts of Oyo State, which has sparked outrage online.
In a post on her X handle, Amusa expressed concern over what she described as persistent harassment and bullying directed at public figures in the creative industry.
She said many entertainers are unable to freely express themselves or promote their work without being labelled insensitive or attacked by online critics.
According to her, filmmaking is financially demanding, as many practitioners rely on bank loans with high interest rates to fund productions, yet are still expected to halt their careers to focus on posting about national issues.
She added that while some people criticise celebrities from their workplaces, those in the entertainment industry also have their own struggles and responsibilities.
“The bullying many of you subject our colleagues to in the creative industry is crazy…
They freely can’t share their opinion, they can’t post their jobs without being called insensitive.. We go to bank to take loans to shoot movies with high interest rate, but you want us to suspend our jobs and be posting videos of kidnapping and cursing the government daily while you’re in your own office tweeting and enjoying your environment..
The day i decided to start using this app actively, I’ve made up my mind that many of you trolls don’t matter..I won’t pander to mobs as I didn’t build my brand on it..
I have other strings of income, don’t come under my post to act silly, I’ll send you home…
That said, May God bring succor to the family of the kids and teachers kidnapped in Oyo state.. May they return home safely”
Her statement has sparked mixed reactions online, with some agreeing with her concerns about online harassment, while others argue that public figures should still use their platforms to speak on societal issues.
