Sunday Afolabi Returns to Nollywood Sets After Lagos Danfo Driving Stint
Veteran Nollywood actor Sunday Afolabi has returned to film sets after working as a danfo driver in Lagos to sustain himself during an acting hiatus. The 70-year-old, famous for his role in the classic Yoruba film 'Owo Blow', is currently filming 'ILEKE' produced by Seyi Edun (popularly known as Shai) and directed by Adebayo Tijani.
His comeback follows weeks of public concern after a viral video showed him driving commercial Lagos danfo buses, calling out routes, adjusting seats, and assisting passengers. The clip sparked widespread debate about veteran welfare sustainability within Nigeria's film industry, with many expressing worry over his visibly lean frame and reduced screen presence.
Afolabi previously disclosed to colleague Kunle Afod that he took up danfo driving not out of desperation but as dignified work while awaiting acting opportunities, stating 'One has to wake up with hope' and preferring to work rather than sit idle. His career spans decades in Yoruba-language cinema, featuring in productions including 'Luwo Gbagida' (2025), 'The Lost Heir' (2018), and 'The Herbert Macaulay Affair' (2019).
Does Afolabi's return to acting signal improving support systems for aging veterans in Nollywood, or does it highlight the precarious reality many face between acting gigs in an industry with limited safety nets?