Following the release of Love in Every Word, a tweet surfaced criticizing Uzor Arukwe’s portrayal of Igbo men, accusing him of reinforcing harmful stereotypes.
One internet user argued that his roles often depict Igbo men as “obnoxious, crass, and borderline foolish money-miss-roads” with exaggerated accents—an image that, they claimed, has long-term effects on perceptions of Igbo masculinity.
This raises a crucial question: Do actors bear responsibility for the stereotypes they portray on screen? Is the criticism of Arukwe justified? Or is he simply an actor performing the roles he’s given?
Nollywood has long relied on ethnic stereotypes to shape its narratives, and Uzor Arukwe’s rise in the industry was not an overnight success. He has spent years honing his craft, often taking on similar roles until he became a familiar face. The real issue here is Nollywood’s tendency to typecast actors.
Once an actor excels in a particular role, they often become the industry’s go-to for that character type. This pattern is evident in the careers of actors like Pete Edochie, who has frequently played the wise, authoritative Igbo elder, or Patience Ozokwor, long associated with the “wicked mother-in-law” trope.
However, it is essential to distinguish between an actor’s performance and the industry’s broader storytelling choices. If a script calls for a loud, flamboyant Igbo businessman with a thick accent, and Uzor delivers a compelling performance, does that make him responsible for the stereotype?
Films are not documentaries; they are dramatized, fictional narratives designed for entertainment. While cinema does influence societal perceptions, the responsibility for shaping well-rounded characters lies with writers, directors, and producers—not actors.
Moreover, Nollywood has been evolving. There are now more nuanced portrayals of Igbo men, from intellectuals to morally conflicted protagonists. Even Uzor Arukwe has taken on diverse roles, such as in Thin Line and Momiwa, proving his range as an actor beyond the “money-miss-road” stereotype.
If we want to challenge stereotypes in Nollywood, the solution isn’t to criticize actors like Uzor Arukwe but to demand better storytelling. More well-developed scripts, deeper character arcs, and a break from lazy tropes would be far more effective than blaming one actor for taking on roles that fit within Nollywood’s existing framework.
At the end of the day, Uzor is simply doing his job—and doing it well. Instead of holding him accountable for Nollywood’s reliance on certain stereotypes, it’s time to hold the industry’s decision-makers responsible for the kinds of stories they choose to tell.
Actors do not write scripts or fund films; their job is to bring stories to life. If Nollywood continues to recycle the same stereotypes, the issue isn’t with the actors—it’s a systemic problem that requires industry-wide change.
Story by Obaapa Janee
Source: Pulse ng
