Hardship Forced Me Into Minibus Driving, Says Veteran Actor Sunday Afolabi

Veteran Nollywood actor Sunday Afolabi has shed light on the circumstances behind a viral video depicting him working as a conductor on a commercial minibus, commonly known as 'Korope.' Afolabi explained that a combination of financial difficulties, career disruptions, and personal setbacks compelled him to take on the role.

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I relocated to Badagry because I wanted to have a building of my own. As at that time, the little money I had could only buy me land in that area.

In an interview on the Talk to B Show, Afolabi revealed that his decision to move to Badagry, a Lagos State border community, to build a home on a limited budget inadvertently distanced him from the core film industry. "Out of sight is out of mind, but the distance of the house to the city has been a barrier," he stated, adding that the nature of his work often involves significant struggle with little financial reward.

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Out of sight is out of mind, but the distance of the house to the city has been a barrier… The kind of job I do, you don’t really make much, and you struggle a lot.

Afolabi recounted a series of financial challenges, including selling his car to settle debts and purchasing a motorcycle, which he struggled to operate due to lack of experience. His work as a motorcycle rider ended abruptly after sustaining severe injuries, including a fall that affected his jaw and another crash that required hospitalization. He also mentioned trying his hand at tailoring, solar panel installation, and photography.

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I lost my Nissan Quest; I couldn’t afford to fix the shock absorber for almost two years. I sold my Nissan Quest for N180,000 to settle some debts and buy a fairly used motorcycle… I was not used to motorcycling, so I kept falling.

"So, if I call myself a jack of all trades and master of all, there’s no mistake in it, because what I hate most in my life is to beg for food. I’ll rather do any legitimate job," Afolabi declared, underscoring his commitment to honest labor. While acknowledging that the public's reaction to the viral clip made him feel bad about the "wrong presentation" of himself, he expressed hope for a positive impact and remains open to honest work. Currently, the minibus he was seen operating is not functional.

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So, if I call myself a jack of all trades and master of all, there’s no mistake in it, because what I hate most in my life is to beg for food. I’ll rather do any legitimate job.