•Actress Oyindamola Sanni
In the world of Nollywood, many stars are made by the companies they keep, but Oyindamola Sanni is proving that she is a galaxy all by herself. From her standout performance in Kunle Afolayan’s ‘Anikulapo’ to becoming a YouTube powerhouse with hits like ‘Tiaraoluwa’, Oyindamola has transitioned from a shy girl to a self-made cinema sensation.
As we celebrate Valentine’s Day, the fury actress sits down with our correspondent on NoR to get real about more than just scripts. She’s talking about the “bitter truth” of modern romance, why she’s a self-confessed “lover girl,” and the moment she realised she didn’t need a star-studded cast to be the biggest star in the room, reports Sunday Independent.
Excerpts:
Where are you from?
I’m from Lagos State, precisely Ikorodu.
How did you get interested in acting?
I started with skit making, and the public acceptance inspired me to move into feature films.
When did you start?
Around 2015 to 2016.
Have you done anything on screen before then?
On screen, no. But prior to that, I had only done stage dramas and church plays.
Did you study acting in school, or did you ever go back to study acting?
No, I never studied acting or filmmaking. In fact, what I studied in school was nothing close to acting; I studied Urban and Regional Planning.
Seeing you in an epic role in Anikulapo was surprising. What was it like preparing for that character?
Maybe it was because that was not my first time doing a Yoruba film. I have produced a couple of Yoruba movies, and I’ve done English movies too, so it wasn’t all that hard or surprising to me because I speak the language.
But I understand what you’re saying. Truly, I was a bit anxious and scared, but I just had to prepare for it. I kept thinking, “Of all people, I was chosen.”
However, it wasn’t my first time working with Kunle Afolayan; I had a cameo role in his movie, A Naija Christmas, so I was already used to him. But I was still scared because I just had to give my best. While I was getting set, I stopped taking other jobs about a month before production to allow me to prepare. Once I got my script, I hired a dialogue coach to help me learn my lines prior to going on set.
Could you have done it as well without a dialogue coach?
Yes, I would have pulled it off without a dialogue coach, but I would still have had to prepare intensely because it wasn’t just modern Yoruba they were speaking. The language and lines included proverbs that must be said exactly. It wasn’t a situation where you could phrase them in your own words and have them come out synonymous. In this case, if it is a proverb, everybody has to be able to relate. You have to say it precisely so the person watching at home can complete it if they know it. You cannot use your own words; it has to be exact. So, it wasn’t just the normal run-of-the-mill Yoruba.
Also, there is something called “camera fear.” I’m a very shy person, and my life off-camera is way different from when I’m on screen, but I’ve got to do what I’ve got to do and deliver.
In the spirit of Valentine’s Day and love, what does love mean to you?
Love is kind, love is giving, and love is sacrifice. It is giving your all to something.
Some people say there is no real love anymore. Do you agree?
No, that is not possible. I believe love still exists.
Some say love is now transactional. What is your view?
People are different, and our views are very different. In my opinion, you can find love anywhere, irrespective of religion or occupation. Love is not just in words; it goes beyond that. There are a lot of things attached to love. Coincidentally, sometimes the things you need to define love are not found in the physical attributes of someone you like. For example, you can find someone attractive physically but not find other things in them, like kindness. Kindness is very underrated, but it goes a long way.
To love, you just have to be kind. I tell people that love is not enough to keep a relationship; it is just one of many other things. Love alone is too small to keep a relationship. That is why you see a lot of people falling in love with more than one person. If love were enough, you wouldn’t be able to cheat, but you see people cheating confidently. A man will confidently buy the same thing for his wife as he does for his side chick because he genuinely likes her too. If they are fighting, he might not function well.
But men are said to be polygamous in nature?
If it was just about polygamy, then why do they attach feelings? If men are supposed to be polygamous, that means a man can fall in love with about four or five people. That is why I said love is not enough to keep a relationship. If love were truly enough, you could never fall in love with more than one person.
Do you agree that love has become transactional?
Sometimes, yes. However, I think it’s not real love if it’s transactional. But you must remember that love is giving. I feel like if you love, you should give, but it should be reciprocated; it’s two-sided.
The truth is, 80 percent of the time, the guy gives more. That’s what makes you a man. In fact, if a woman is giving to you continuously, it can kill your ego as a man. I tell people that if you are a woman who shoulders all the responsibility, you are indulging a man and encouraging him to cheat. That’s the bitter truth. If you are doing that, the man feels less of himself. If you give him N1 million, he might still look for a young girl outside to give N100,000 to just so she will worship him like a god.
I saw a tweet saying that society must train the younger generation (aged 15 or 16) on how to really love and handle relationships, because it seems the only way to be in love now is for the man to make and spend money. Because of that, many men say if they can’t find love when they are broke, then when they have money, no one can determine how many women they love. What’s your opinion on that?
Honestly, even Davido sang that love is sweet, but when money enters, love is sweeter. The truth is that money runs the world whether we like it or not. Money is not everything, truly, but you have to taste it to be able to say that. A man should have money, and if you don’t have it yet, let me at least see the prospect; let me know that you have a future. This should also come from a woman who is not just looking to depend on a man. For someone like me, I don’t like to ask for money, but I expect you to use your gumption. You should take the initiative and know what to do for her.
Are you a lover girl?
Yes, that’s my comfort zone.
What kind of man do you like, and has your “type” changed with your status?
Yes, it has changed. Initially, growing up, it was all about physical attributes — the tall, dark, and handsome types. But now, it’s about kindness and understanding because of the kind of job I do.
I want a man who can lead and lead right — a man whose “no” I won’t question because I know he has good reasons. Also, a man who fears God is very important because you must fear God to have a conscience.
Of course, I won’t rule out the fact that he must be fine. I can’t be drooling over other men on Instagram while looking at my man like a monster.
Does money play any part in the equation?
No, God just knew that since I’m a “spec,” He just added that. But it wasn’t by plan.
Can you date a man who has less than you?
No, I cannot.
This is 2026; what movies or projects should your fans look forward to this year?
I shot my second cinema film titled Fury. It was nominated for BON Awards. It’s an English film and it is coming out very soon on a major platform. I also have two other movies. one is coming out next month, which will be showing on YouTube. It stars Mide Martins, myself, Jide Awobona, and other amazing actors.
When did you discover that you were now a star? What made you realise it?
It was after I shot ‘Tiaraoluwa’. Normally, I was used to casting people thinking, “This person will post it and help sell the film.” Sometimes those people didn’t even fit the role, but I used them just for the reach. But with Tiaraoluwa, I just shot it and didn’t beg any colleague to post it. I think I even underrated the film. When I posted it, it hit over 800,000 views. People started reaching out to me asking for the link to share it.
That was when I realised, “Oh, I can stand on my own.” It goes beyond people just saying they saw my film in public; that was the moment I knew I had my own fan base.
