Mercy Aigbe, a well-known Nollywood actress, has talked about the difficulties she encountered on her path to fame and how her zeal and willpower enabled her to get through hardship.
From working at a bank to being well-known in the Nigerian film industry, the actress talked candidly about her challenges in an exclusive interview with Oyinmono TV.
Aigbe, who studied Theatre Arts at the University of Lagos, disclosed that her father initially disapproved of her acting career, prompting her to take up a job in the banking sector. However, her love for the arts never faded. “One day, I resigned to follow my passion in theatre arts. Starting wasn’t easy,” she said.
She narrated how she began acting in English-language films before transitioning to the Yoruba film industry. Her breakthrough came when her uncle, Murphy, introduced her to Wemimo Paul. “After the audition, I featured in ‘Ara’—that was when I became popular,” Aigbe recounted.
Despite her growing recognition, the early days were tough. She recalled one particularly difficult period when she worked on a movie set for three weeks, only to be paid a meager ₦3,000. “I cried home. I already had a car, so I slept in my car and begged people so I could bathe the following day,” she revealed.
The turning point in her career came after her performance in Ara, which cemented her place in the Yoruba film industry. Today, Aigbe is one of Nollywood’s most celebrated actresses, with numerous accolades and a strong fan base.
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