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• Says, ‘My wife is co-manager of my social media posts’
Nosa Rex, who graduated with a degree in Mechanical Engineering from Ambrose Alli University, Ekpoma, Edo State, has cut a distinctive path in Nollywood, evolving from an actor associated with Asaba productions into a nationally recognised actor, filmmaker and content creator.
In a recent interview with Nollywood on Radio, the father of three spoke about the evolution of his career, transition from Asaba to Lagos, marriage, unique content style and more.
Enjoy.
You were once regarded as an “Asaba-based actor” but that is no longer the case. How did you successfully rebrand yourself and evolve into a national brand?
The truth is that whatever you are doing, you must have a goal and a clear vision of where you want to go. At the time, I saw Asaba simply as a location where I could build a solid foundation for my career. Many of my predecessors began by making what I would call grassroots movies in Asaba. Some also started in Enugu, even while they were based in Lagos.
At the time, many people did not even know that I was born and raised in Lagos. I attended both primary and secondary school there. It was filmmaking that took me to Asaba after I graduated from Ambrose Alli University.
Even while I was in Asaba, I knew there would come a time when I would have to return to Lagos after establishing myself in the industry. Everything I did was intentional. I understood that there is a time to build, a time to evolve and a time to move. I moved with the times and followed the path I had envisioned for myself.
You studied Mechanical Engineering at the Ambrose Alli University. At what point did acting become part of your life?
I feel everything was somehow arranged. From childhood, I had always been involved in acting in church, although I never imagined that I would eventually become a professional actor. I participated in drama, singing and other forms of entertainment in church. I led songs, played the drums and was always at the forefront of anything that involved entertaining people. I remember that after performing in children’s dramas, I would sometimes ask someone to interview me as though I were already a star.
However, I began acting professionally after I graduated. I did my industrial training in Asaba while I was in 300 level and actors surrounded me. Everywhere I turned, I saw established actors. I would see people like Olu Jacobs, Jim Iyke and Mike Ezuruonye. I became fascinated by the environment and told myself that after graduation, I would like to stay in Asaba and explore acting.
After graduation, I moved there and became more interested in the industry. One day, I saw people auditioning for a movie and told them I wanted to participate. They asked if I was a member of the Actors Guild of Nigeria (AGN). I didn’t even know what AGN meant at the time. They explained that I needed to register. So, I went to an ATM, withdrew the money and paid for my registration. They gave me a temporary card, and I went ahead with the audition.
One day, while I was sleeping, my phone rang. I was told that I had been selected. I went to Zenith Hotel, where they used to paste the names of selected actors on the wall.
Everything I know about acting, I learned on the job. I remember doing my first take and thinking that was all there was to it. Then they called me and said, “No, that was the master shot; we haven’t taken the close-up yet.” That was how my journey began in 2010.
One of the most notable projects in your career, apart from your own productions, is Jenifa’s Diary. How did you get that role?
While I was in Asaba, I had always been friends with Funke Akindele. She came to the East to shoot, and I knew her even before Jenifa’s Diary. On one occasion, I was working with her on a project when a writer came to see her on set. I can’t remember his name now; I think it was Martins, but I stand to be corrected. Whenever there was a break on set, I would see him and Funke writing something together.
I asked her, “What are you guys working on?” She told me they were developing a series called Jenifa’s Diary. When she returned to Lagos and began shooting, she would call me from time to time. However, I was always busy in the East. She called me during different seasons, and I eventually joined the series.
At that point, I knew something had to be happening in Lagos. I wanted to do something different so people could see another side of me. At the time, I was doing a lot of African Magic movies, particularly epic productions. There were all these labels—“Epic Face”, “Urban Face”, “Showcase Face”, “Rock Face” and so on.
I knew I needed something different. I have always wanted to be everywhere and to build a situation where, if you take my movie to a particular platform, someone would be interested in buying it.
Jenifa’s Diary was a blessing because it allowed me to introduce myself to a wider audience in Lagos. I was coming all the way from Asaba to shoot the series.
I remember Funke would sometimes call me at 8 or 9 a.m. without realising that I was still in Asaba. I would leave Asaba at 4 a.m., arrive in Lagos around 8 a.m. and have breakfast with the rest of the cast and crew. She would ask, “Rex, you’re in Lagos?” and I would say yes, even though I had literally just arrived that morning.
It was a sacrifice I was willing to make because I knew what I wanted. One experience I will never forget was when I came to Lagos to shoot Jenifa’s Diary. I finished filming and was already on my way back to Asaba when I received a call informing me that there had been an error with something we shot. I had to turn around, return to Lagos, reshoot and then travel back to Asaba. That was how Jenifa’s Diary became part of my journey.
Do you think the transition from DVD to streaming platforms has affected actors and filmmakers?
Absolutely! YouTube has made it possible for almost everyone to do so. Back then, marketers controlled a large part of the industry. Many movies were being produced in different locations; demand was high, and filmmakers were making movies back-to-back.
You cannot compare that period with what we have today. Things have changed significantly. Now, almost everyone is doing YouTube, and there is no centralised system controlling the platform.
You have to invest your own money, and there is no guarantee you will recover it. Back then, we had investors and marketers investing in productions. Today, many creators have to finance their projects themselves. So, yes, the transition has brought significant changes.
You run your own YouTube channel while also featuring in other producers’ projects on the platform. How do you balance your productions with working for others, especially when they could be considered competitors?
I have always believed that we all need one another. This is a business where nobody knows what tomorrow will bring. I could decide to work exclusively for myself, make more money and give all my attention to my own projects. But what happens tomorrow? You cannot remain at the top in one particular space forever. Collaborating with others and working on their projects allows me to build relationships and expand my network. Some of these people are my friends, and the tables could turn tomorrow. Someone who is not as big today could become a major player tomorrow, and I may need that person’s support or collaboration.
For me, it is about exchanging energy, hard work, time and opportunities. YouTube has also made things very demanding. Some people no longer pick up calls or even have time to socialise because everyone is focused on producing their own content. Sometimes, when your phone rings, you almost assume someone is calling to ask you to work for them.
I also shoot between Nigeria and London, so managing everything can be challenging. If I have two months available for work, I still need to dedicate some of that time to my own projects while other people ask me to work with them.
It is a lot, but I try to organise my schedule. I may work with three or four other people while still ensuring that I give more attention to my own brand.
Are you married?
Of course, I’m married.
How long have you been married?
I’ve been married since 2015, so it’s 11 years this year. We have three children.
Is your marriage also the reason you shuttle between Nigeria and London?
Yes. My family is based in London.
The entertainment industry is often associated with controversy and scandals. How have you managed to stay away from major controversies throughout your career?
First of all, I have to thank God. I also want to give a huge shout-out to my wife. When we got married, I told her about something I had observed in the industry. At the time, there was this perception that married actors did not go as far because people believed marriage could reduce your fan base. Some people would tell you not to get married because you needed to maintain a certain lifestyle.
I told my wife, “If this is true, please allow me to be free. I’m not going to misbehave, but where my mates are having fun, allow me to have fun too. If they are travelling, let me travel. If they are hanging out, let me hang out.”
I wanted her to understand that marriage should not prevent me from doing my work or living my life responsibly. I have a very supportive wife. There is hardly anything I do in the industry that I don’t tell her about. In fact, anything you see about me online has, in one way or another, been discussed with my wife.
Even now, I sometimes send her pictures and ask her to check or edit them before I post them. It may sound funny, but that is the kind of bond we have built over the years. Marriage has no universal manual. What works for one couple may not work for another. In my case, it works because I understand the kind of person my wife is. She wants to understand what I do. The only person I really need to explain myself is the woman I have chosen to build my home with. Once I have her understanding and approval, I am comfortable. That is also why many of my female friends have relationships with my wife. I believe that is one of the ways I make her feel comfortable and secure.
Some of your content can be quite suggestive. While some people find it entertaining, others frown at it. How comfortable is your wife with that side of your content?
The suggestive content is something I have always done for fun. Even behind the camera, these are the kinds of things I do naturally, and my friends around me usually laugh about them. I wanted to stand out. I am in a field with so many talented people, and I kept asking myself: “How do you separate yourself from the crowd?” I didn’t want to be known only as an actor. When I started doing that particular style of content, I knew some people would frown at it. But I’m not doing it to pursue women; I am married. I genuinely enjoy creating that kind of content. Most of the expressions and catchphrases I use are things I come up with myself. I wanted to create something distinctive that would work across different platforms and help me stand out from the crowd.
It has worked for me, and I have remained consistent with it. As long as it adds value to my brand and helps me pay my bills, I am comfortable with it.
What role are you still waiting for—the kind of role that if a producer called you tomorrow and offered it to you, it would genuinely excite you?
For the world to see another side of me, I would love to play a dual role, particularly twins with completely different characters, mannerisms and personalities.
I would love to do that in someone else’s project. Perhaps one day, I will also create such a project myself. I want people to see another side of me. Some people knew me when I started as the cool guy, while others only know me from the comedy side of my career. Some people don’t even believe I can play a serious, straight character without trying to be funny because they have already stereotyped me in their minds.
So I would love an opportunity to play two completely different characters in the same project. It would really challenge me as an actor.
Which of your recent projects should your fans look out for? You recently released a movie with Sarah Martins.
Yes, Sarah Martins is a fantastic actor. We recently worked together on a movie titled Couple in Power.
Everyone, please watch it and support the film. It is an amazing project, and the chemistry between the cast is great. It is available on Nosa Rex TV.
What advice would you give someone who is starting out and hopes to achieve as much as you have in the industry?
First, I would tell them to hold firmly to God. Then, they must believe in themselves and never hold back. There are many talented people who are afraid to put themselves out there. Some don’t even know how to use social media to their advantage. If you want to be an actor and I visit your social media page, I should be able to see something that shows me what you can do.
Record yourself. Create content. Do something different and post it. Tag producers and industry professionals. If you don’t sell yourself, nobody else will sell you.
That was how I started Baba Rex TV. Nobody was giving me comedy roles, so I created my own platform. I started it to prove to the world that I could be funny. That was all.
My advice is simple: don’t hold yourself back. Leave your comfort zone. If certain friends are holding you back, distance yourself from them. They will eventually understand because there are dream killers everywhere.
Once you believe in yourself, go after your dreams. Surround yourself with the right people and bring out whatever talent you have. Like I always say, “Na wetin you sabi do go put food for your table.”
