Tobi Makinde: Transition from child into an adult actor wasn’t easy | The Guardian Nigeria News
Tobi Makinde is a Nollywood actor, producer and director. An indigene of Ilesha, Osun State, he holds first and second degrees in Creative Arts from the University of Lagos. He got into acting from the age of seven and has since not looked back. His movie credits include: Industreet, Jenifa’s Diary, Battle on Buka Street, Double Trouble and Omo Ghetto, the saga. In this interview with IJEOMA THOMAS-ODIA, he shares his passion for the craft as well as Funke Akindele’s impact in his career.
Take us through your career progression. How you started and where you are now?
It’s been quite a journey. I started off as a child actor, and my dad introduced me to the business actually.
I remember always disturbing him regarding my desire to act. And then I got my first gig as Nathaniel in Kamsi and Neighbours back in days, I did that for about seven years. Afterwards, it’s been a journey. Ups and downs. However, transitioning from a child actor into a teenage or an adult actor was not easy. I went for one audition where I remember I said in my mind that this was going to be the last audition I would ever attend, and lo and behold, I met Funke Akindele, and moving forward, she brought me on board.
First off, I got a role on Industreet and then on that set, which was my first work with her, I played ‘Feva’ and I remember that while on that set, she just came to me and basically asked if I had a job. I said no, and then she said, she wanted to give me a job. Afterwards, she called me to come and manage the production for Jenifa’s Diary. I was Production Manager for Jenifa’s Diary for about a year before I actually came on the show as an actor. From there, I started growing from Production Management to script supervision, to assistant directing, to content producing and then finally directing. I co-directed Battle on Buka Streets. The second highest grossing movie.
On Funke Akindele’s impact in your career. How much would you attribute your success and growth in the industry to her?
It was such a huge impact she made, because, at the point when I met her, like I said, it wasn’t like my career was dead, but it was just on the low. But then, she singled me out and gave me a platform. Not just to act, but also to learn in production, and it was a learning curve for me. I rose through the ranks: Did all sorts of things, everything in production. That is what has kept me grounded till this very moment. It was a huge impact, and it was some sort of reintroduction, because some people knew me as the young kid actor from Kamsi and the Neighbours’ and then she reintroduced me with the Timini character in Jenifa’s Diary. That’s been the journey so far.
What are we expecting from you in 2024?
2024 is going to be amazing. More big projects. More film projects. More personal projects. I’m also going into Content Creation; I want to push my YouTube channel more. There’s a lot of amazing stuff to look forward to.
How receptive is the industry for young talent?
Now, it is getting better. There are so many platforms and means for young people to get on board. And there are so many shows that involve young talents. Back in the days, there were just a few TV shows. Everyday People, Kamsi and Neighbours – there were just a few that had a platform for young talent. But now I think there’s so much more. With projects like Far From Home, which is almost 90 per cent teenage characters. So yes, I think it’s getting better. It’s being more receptive. But it can be better than what it is now.
Are there roles that you have seen that you would consider quite challenging?
There are roles that I consider quite challenging, but those roles are different from roles that I wouldn’t want to play. Roles that I wouldn’t want to play, aren’t so because they are too challenging. They are so because they go against my personal ethics and stuff, like nudity – I wouldn’t do that. So yes, there are challenging roles, but I would take on the challenging roles no matter what and find a way to actualise them. The roles I wouldn’t play, I wouldn’t play.
How would you describe your style. What are you comfortable wearing?
Anything comfortable, and anything that suits the occasion. I’m a more casual person. I’m not flashy. I think that’s something I tilt towards most of the time. So even in my flamboyance, sometimes, you will see that there is a bit of subtlety. I am not all that.
What is your favourite local dish?
Pounded yam and Egusi. I am an Ijesha boy, I am from Osun State. That’s my favourite local dish.
What would you tell younger people who are looking up to you?
Stay focused. Stay resilient. Be patient, and be hardworking. And keep praying. That’s like the most important thing.
