Breaking into the Nigerian Entertainment Industry

Requirements for the best entertainment jobs in Nigeria

Having an established career in the Nigerian entertainment industry is a widely sought form of social capital. The privileges of this crew include access to star studded red carpets, exclusive parties and networking events, and of course Instagrammable evidence of your photoshop-perfect life. If you’re ready to join the club, your claim to fame (or at least local champion) is here! Just match your skills to the types of entertainment careers listed below:

Social Media Influencer (like Bobrisky)

Are you someone that always catches the right angle when the camera flash hits? Do you have a natural attention-seeking personality, that honestly is a bit much sometimes? Are you someone ideally suited to lead a personality cult? This role is following you already.

Requirements:

• Baby girl/baby boy lifestyle
• iPhone 12 Pro Max
• A politician bae is preferable but all private donors are welcome

Good to know:

If you’ve got risky moves, showcase them on Snapchat and TikTok but if you’re looking for your next brand sponsorship, head to Instagram. Avoid Twitter – you will be dragged. Oshey?

Host & Presenter (like Ebuka)

Are you a suit and traditional wear mannequin with basic speaking skills? Is your charming smile and dapper style enough to distract us from your sometimes awkward delivery? Can you remain impartial while getting to the koko of the gist of complete strangers? Go live with this role in 3…2…1…

Requirements:

• Experience posing for popular suit and traditional wear brands
• Proficient in investigating drama under high tension
• Charismatic amebo personality 

Good to know: 

Get ready cause you are now a style icon. Don’t be afraid to start trends that only the brave or foolish would follow. The most outrageous agbada has the last laugh!

On Air Personality (like Toolz)

Are you a loud chatterbox with proven experience of being tuned out? Have you experimented with multiple accents and have uninformed opinions you need to share? Are you able to educate and engage Nigerians as they endure hours of soul-crushing traffic everyday? Turn down your radio and call in for this role.

Requirements: 

• Extensive experience speaking in a non-native accent
• Brief international exposure is not necessary but preferable
• You’ll be tested on your ability to interrogate artists 

Good to know: 

If you can’t nail either a British or an American accent feel free to create your own unique mix of accents. Practice with your favorite tv shows like Family Guy and Peaky Blinders.

Nollywood Actor (like Patience Ozokwor)

Are you ready to take your acting from the church stage to the big screen? Are you able to weep uncontrollably without shedding a single tear? Are you comfortable being sacrificed for money rituals on screen? Get in on the action with this role.

Requirements: 

• An objective inability to act is fine
• A brief & regrettable music career is a must
• A 1 min video portraying your preferred type cast: wicked step-mother, bad boy cultist, 90’s themed baby girl, billionaire ritualist or aki & pawpaw

Good to know: 

All great Nollywood actors dedicated their lives to a slight variation of the same character in every movie; an internship with a noted cultist or witch will help you get into character.

Reality TV Star (like Laycon)
Is the risk of being trampled to death at an audition a small price to pay for fame? Are you someone that attracts a fanatic following wherever you go? Will you go to any lengths to chase clout and provide meaningless entertainment? Big brother is calling your name for this role.

Requirements: 

• Random career to be blindly supported by your fanbase  
• A GoFundMe page to establish you
• An tragic love story is a plus

Good to know: 

Don’t worry if you have no actual talent or purpose for being on TV, if an over-the-top personality doesn’t do the trick, staying in the middle of unnecessary drama will!

#Unsolicited is a segment for reviews, opinion pieces and industry perspectives that we know you’ll love. If you’re looking to make a name for yourself in the entertainment industry, this is the place to start.