I Was So Poor I Almost Quit Acting — Afeez Oyetoro (Saka) Shares His Story.

I was born in Iseyin, Oyo State, on August 20, 1963, into a humble home where poverty was not just an occasional visitor it was our permanent guest. Life was tough, and many times, I thought dreams were luxuries reserved only for the children of the rich.

But somewhere deep inside, I knew acting was my calling. I wanted to make people laugh, even when life gave me no reason to smile.

When I first started out, I was often mocked for my looks and my style of acting. People would say, “Saka, your face alone is comedy.” It hurt, but I turned that pain into my power.

Still, there were days I nearly gave up when hunger, rejection, and endless ridicule made the dream feel impossible.

The turning point came when I decided to never stop being authentic.

I embraced the clown roles, the funny gestures, the foolish expressions. Suddenly, the same things they mocked became the very things that set me apart. I went on to feature in unforgettable movies like The Wedding Party, Ojukokoro, and countless Nigerian Nollywood movies. But my story didn’t end on the big screen.

In 2013, my life took another shocking turn. Two giant telecom companies battled for my face. I had been the face of Etisalat, but suddenly, MTN snatched me up in a deal that shook the entire Nigerian advertising industry. Nigerians were shocked some even accused me of betrayal. But for me, it was never about politics; it was about survival and seizing opportunities.

Today, I stand not just as “Saka” the clown, but as Afeez Oyetoro the teacher, the actor, and the man who turned rejection into relevance. Poverty tried to silence me, but comedy gave me a voice.

Have you ever been mocked for something that later became your strength? Share your story in the comments, we’d love to hear it.

Source: Wikipedia – Afeez Oyetoro