Nollywood & celebs

Reported

Concern grows over Nollywood actor Jerry Williams as producer Izutech calls out Actors Guild of Nigeria over alleged neglect

27 Oct 2026, 15:44 GMT

Two photos of actor Jerry Williams: on the left in a beige hoodie with his hands cuffed, on the right a close-up in a grey T-shirt — Image: social media

Fresh concerns have emerged over the welfare of popular Nollywood actor Jerry Williams after filmmaker and producer Izutech publicly questioned the Actors Guild of Nigeria (AGN) over its alleged failure to provide sustained support for the troubled actor.

According to Izutech, the Actors Guild of Nigeria had previously promised to take responsibility for Jerry Williams' situation, but he is now questioning what became of that commitment.

The producer alleged that the once-popular Nollywood star is facing serious personal challenges, including suspected substance-related problems and concerns about his mental health.

Izutech further claimed that Jerry Williams has allegedly been sending private messages to people on Instagram, appealing for financial assistance to buy food and meet his basic needs.

The claims have raised concerns about the actor's welfare, particularly among those who remember his performances in several Nollywood productions.

Expressing his disappointment, Izutech questioned why an actor who contributed to Nigeria's entertainment industry should allegedly be left struggling without adequate support.

He also disclosed his willingness to intervene again by arranging a rehabilitation programme lasting up to two years, which he believes could help the actor recover and rebuild his life.

However, the producer admitted that such an intervention would require considerable financial resources and appealed for support from colleagues, industry stakeholders and well-meaning Nigerians.

The development has once again brought attention to the welfare of entertainers in Nollywood, especially actors facing health challenges, financial difficulties or personal crises after years in the spotlight.

It also raises questions about the responsibility of professional associations to support members experiencing serious difficulties.

While Izutech's allegations have attracted concern, the actor's current medical condition and the extent of any assistance provided by the Actors Guild of Nigeria have not been independently verified.

The bigger question remains: what support systems are available to Nollywood actors when they can no longer cope with life's challenges?

For many fans, the hope is that Jerry Williams receives appropriate professional care, genuine support and an opportunity to regain his health and stability.

Should the Actors Guild of Nigeria establish a dedicated welfare and rehabilitation fund to support actors facing serious personal and health challenges?

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Nollywood & celebsReported

AY Makun in sunglasses and a sequinned jacket — Photo: Kaizenify / Wikimedia Commons, CC BY-SA 4.0

AY Makun responds to backlash after missing Cardiff show, promises free return

30 Oct 2026, 11:49 GMT

Comedian AY Makun has defended himself after failing to appear at his AY Live show in Cardiff, which led to calls for him to be cancelled. He blamed repeated problems on the tour and promised a free return show, while saying ticket holders will still get refunds.

Comedian and filmmaker Ayo 'AY' Makun has spoken out after facing a wave of criticism for not turning up at his AY Live show in Cardiff, Wales.

What happened

Fans who bought tickets for the Cardiff show on Sunday were left angry when the comedian did not appear. Many criticised him on social media, and some called for him to be cancelled. AY had earlier apologised, saying fans' time, money and trust deserved respect, but the apology did not end the criticism.

His side of the story

In a long statement reported on Friday, 30 October 2026, AY said veterans in the industry had advised him to stay quiet, but he felt his audience deserved an explanation. He said he had spent years performing at events where payment promises were broken, sometimes paying fellow performers from his own pocket. He said a five-hour drive from Sheffield to Cardiff, after repeated bad experiences on the same tour, became his breaking point, but added that the fans who turned up had done nothing wrong. He also complained that negative stories about him get more attention than his achievements, and said calls for cancellation would not make him give up.

What he promised

AY said he would host a free return show in Cardiff, paid for by himself, once a venue and logistics are confirmed. He said this would not replace refunds owed to people who bought tickets for the original event.

Background

AY is one of Nigeria's best-known comedians and has run the AY Live brand for many years, as well as producing hit films. His account of the tour problems has not been confirmed by the organisers.

Nollywood & celebsReported

Mike Bamiloye — Photo: Ogongo TV / Wikimedia Commons, CC BY-SA 4.0

Agbara Nla: The Return earns over $170,000 abroad ahead of US release

30 Oct 2026, 06:44 GMT

Mike Bamiloye's faith film Agbara Nla: The Return has reportedly earned about $173,650 in the UK, Ireland and Canada and opens in US cinemas on Friday. It has made ₦408 million in Nigeria and topped the local box office for four weekends.

The faith-based Nollywood film Agbara Nla: The Return is reportedly breaking records abroad as it prepares to open in cinemas across the United States.

The figures

According to the film's distributor, the movie has earned about $173,650 across the UK, Ireland and Canada, including about £86,700 from the UK and Ireland and about CAD$82,200 from Canada. The distributor claims it recorded the biggest opening weekend ever for a Nollywood film in the UK, as well as record pre-sales. These figures come from the distributor and have not been independently verified. In Nigeria, the film has grossed about ₦408 million, making it the second-highest-grossing Nollywood film of 2026, and has held the number one spot for four weekends in a row.

US release

The film opens in American cinemas on Friday, 30 October 2026, with tickets available through major cinema chains, the distributor announced on Instagram this week.

Background

Agbara Nla: The Return is a modern retelling of the 1993 classic Agbara Nla by Mount Zion Faith Ministries founder Mike Bamiloye, who reprises his role as the herbalist Isawuru. The original film is one of the best-known Christian movies in Nigeria and was watched by millions on video. The new version has drawn church groups and families to cinemas in large numbers.

Why it matters

The film's success abroad shows the growing audience for Nigerian faith-based stories among the diaspora, and could encourage more Nollywood releases in foreign cinemas.

2027 electionsReported

A Nigeria Police armoured vehicle (stock image) — Stock image: theglobalpanorama / Flickr, CC BY-SA 2.0

Sokoto ADC governorship candidate says his convoy was attacked near airport

31 Oct 2026, 06:42 GMT

Manir Muhammad Dan'iya, the ADC governorship candidate in Sokoto State, says his convoy was blocked and shot at near the Sokoto airport on Friday night, damaging his vehicles. He blames state security personnel, while police say anyone found responsible will face the law.

The African Democratic Congress (ADC) candidate for governor of Sokoto State, Manir Muhammad Dan'iya, has alleged that his convoy was attacked near the Sultan Abubakar III International Airport in Sokoto on Friday night, 30 October 2026.

What he says happened

According to his media aide, Aminu Abdullahi, the incident happened at about 9pm, shortly after Dan'iya had seen off former governor Aminu Waziri Tambuwal at the airport. He alleged that members of the Sokoto State Marshal and Community Guard blocked the convoy, saying they were acting on orders to keep ADC members out of the state. He said efforts to calm the situation failed before shots were fired. Dan'iya reportedly escaped unhurt, but his bulletproof vehicles were damaged, and he said two Department of State Services officers attached to his security team were taken away. He also said he had noticed unusual deployments at several entry points into the state earlier in the day.

Official response

The Sokoto State Police Command spokesperson, DSP Ahmad Rufae, said the command would take necessary action and that anyone found responsible would face the law. The Sokoto State Government and the Marshal and Community Guard had not publicly responded at the time of the report, and the allegations have not been independently verified.

What he is asking for

Dan'iya reported the matter to the state Commissioner of Police and asked the Inspector-General of Police and the head of the DSS to investigate and secure the release of the two officers. He also called on the state government to explain the alleged orders.

Background

The incident is the latest in a string of reported attacks on opposition figures as campaigning for the January 2027 elections intensifies. On the same day, AAC presidential candidate Omoyele Sowore said he was attacked in Ado-Ekiti, and an APC rally in Katsina was disrupted earlier this week.

2027 electionsReported

Peter Obi — Photo: VOA / Wikimedia Commons, Public domain

Obi promises to go into the bush himself to rescue kidnap victims if elected

31 Oct 2026, 06:42 GMT

NDC presidential candidate Peter Obi has reportedly told a rally in Bayelsa State that he would personally go into forests to rescue kidnap victims if he becomes president. He also promised free primary education and at least 10,000MW of electricity, and criticised President Tinubu's foreign trips.

Peter Obi, the presidential candidate of the Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC), has reportedly promised to personally lead efforts to rescue kidnap victims if he is elected in 2027.

What he said

Speaking at a campaign rally in Bayelsa State on Friday, 30 October 2026, Obi said that if anyone kidnapped schoolchildren or anyone else under his government, he would go into the bush himself. He said he had recently travelled by road through several states, including Enugu, Kogi, Nasarawa and Ebonyi, and that Nigeria's roads must be made safe. He said his government would start by uniting the country so that no region or group felt left out.

Other promises

Obi reportedly pledged that public money would be managed openly, that an NDC government would work with states to make primary education free, and that it would aim to generate, transmit and distribute at least 10,000 megawatts of electricity. He claimed current supply is far lower.

Criticism of Tinubu

Obi criticised President Bola Tinubu for not visiting Bayelsa, where oil was first discovered in Nigeria, and repeated his claim that the President spends a large part of the year abroad. The Presidency has previously rejected such claims, and had not responded to the latest remarks at the time of the report.

Background

Obi has held a series of town halls and rallies this week, including in Nasarawa, where he said election riggers would be jailed, and in Ebonyi. Insecurity, including kidnappings on highways and in schools, remains one of the biggest issues for voters ahead of the January 2027 elections.