May 16, (THEWILL) – Nollywood veteran Yemi Ayebo, popularly known for his 1993 breakout film Yemi My Lover, has opened up about the financial hardships he endured despite the movie’s nationwide success, blaming piracy and lack of industry support for his struggles.
Speaking in a recent interview with YouTuber Mr LilGaga, Ayebo revealed that he lost about 90 per cent of the film’s earnings to piracy.
“I wrote and produced Yemi My Lover in 1993. The movie gained widespread popularity, especially in Yoruba-speaking regions, but I didn’t earn from it. Ninety per cent of the profits went to pirates,” he lamented.
He further alleged that industry marketers sabotaged him after he bypassed their distribution channels, claiming they went as far as pirating his work without his consent.
“Because I didn’t use their marketing system, they turned against me and started selling pirated copies of my film,” he added.
Ayebo also noted that the limitations of the pre-digital era significantly affected his ability to promote and profit from the film.
“There was no social media back then. I couldn’t create awareness like we can today. I was struggling to do what I could to promote it, but it wasn’t enough,” he said.
The actor’s challenges worsened in 1996 when he was wrongfully arrested and detained—an ordeal that reportedly cost him ₦500,000 in legal expenses.
Now facing financial hardship, Ayebo admitted that a lack of strong connections in the industry has hindered his ability to secure acting roles.
“Right now, I’m broke. Things are tough. The movie industry runs on connections, and if you don’t have them, you’ll struggle. I need help and more connections to get back on my feet,” he pleaded.
Evi Ben Ezaga writes on entertainment, culture, and trending stories.
