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Olakunle Oni, popularly known as Lakunle, is calling for the emergence of more talent managers in Nollywood to meet the growing demands of the industry. As the Lead Creative/MD at Onervista Concepts Limited, the company behind the management of top Nollywood stars like Femi Adebayo, Ruth Kadiri, Ronke Odusanya, and Chidi Dike, Lakunle understands firsthand the behind-the-scenes work required to keep such high-profile careers on track and thriving.
“These actors are thriving and continuously evolving, but overseeing the many aspects of their careers from public appearances and brand endorsements to script readings and travel logistics is a demanding full-time responsibility. That is where talent managers come in, and there is a pressing need for more capable professionals in this space,” Lakunle explained.
Lakunle believes Nollywood must embrace a structured ecosystem that supports the rise of dedicated, professional talent managers just as the music industry has done successfully over the years.
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He pointed to successful artist-manager relationships in the Nigerian music scene, like Davido and Asa Asika, who have built a strong bond rooted in trust, strategy, and shared vision. “Their partnership shows what’s possible when an artist and manager grow together. That same model can work in Nollywood.”
According to Lakunle, talent managers are not just assistants, they are strategic partners who help shape, protect, and promote an actor’s brand. As the film industry continues to expand globally, the need for professional management becomes increasingly essential.
“We need to see more young people trained, mentored, and encouraged to take up talent management seriously. Behind every successful actor is a team and at the center of that team should be a manager who understands both the vision and the demands,” he concluded.
