Veteran Nollywood actress, Bimbo Akintola, has explained why she does not live a flamboyant lifestyle like some of her colleagues, stating that acting by itself does not generate the level of wealth many people assume it does in Nigeria.
Naija News reports that Akintola made the clarification during a recent interview published on February 1, 2026, where she addressed recurring questions about her finances and lifestyle after spending decades in the movie industry.
According to her, there is a widespread misconception that popularity in Nollywood automatically translates to riches.
She noted that payments from platforms such as Africa Magic and similar outlets are often insufficient to sustain luxury living or extravagant lifestyles.
The actress also emphasized that many entertainers who appear wealthy usually have additional sources of income outside acting, a factor the public often overlooks.
Akintola explained that when people compare her to actresses who live lavishly, they rarely consider what other businesses or engagements those actresses may be involved in beyond movie roles.
She added that many of the glamorous lifestyles displayed on social media cannot realistically be financed through acting fees alone.
The seasoned actress said the public frequently misunderstands how money flows within the entertainment industry, especially for actors who rely primarily on film projects for their earnings.
In her words:
“When people ask why I’m not rich like some other actresses, I tell them to ask those actresses what other jobs they do.
“We all know how much Africa Magic and other platforms pay per movie. Acting alone cannot make many actresses wealthy.
“Most of the flashy lifestyles people see online simply cannot be explained by acting fees alone.”