The Actors Guild of Nigeria (AGN) has called for national prayers and a spiritual reawakening in the Nigerian film industry following the tragic deaths of two young actors on a movie set in Owerri, the Imo State capital.
The actors reportedly lost their lives after consuming a substance believed to have been offered to them by the movie’s producer. The incident, which occurred just days after the memorial of late Nollywood actor Junior Pope, has further deepened concerns about safety standards and spiritual protection within the industry.
AGN President Emeka Rollas described the situation as alarming, noting a disturbing trend of recurring annual deaths on movie sets. He said the guild was organising a prayer programme with popular cleric Pastor Jerry Eze of Streams of Joy Ministries to seek divine protection for actors and practitioners across the industry.
“Barely a week after the memorial service of our member, the late JNR Pope, tragedy struck again in Owerri involving two promising young actors,” Rollas said via a statement posted on his verified Instagram account. “They are not members of the Actors Guild of Nigeria, but this points to two things: the devil still wants this pattern of mass death repeated on an annual basis, and that Nollywood cannot continue like this.”
The AGN president drew a parallel between this recent loss and the tragic boat accident in Asaba, Delta State in 2024, which claimed the lives of Junior Pope and three crew members during a film production. According to Rollas, both incidents share an eerie similarity — the number of lives lost.
“If not for God, the death toll in Owerri could have been four persons — exactly the same number we lost in Asaba last year,” he said. “This cannot be a coincidence. We must rise and pray.”
The AGN has therefore declared an industry-wide call for prayers, urging all actors, directors, and producers to join in spiritual reflection and intercession. Pastor Jerry Eze will be leading a special session for the Nollywood community, aimed at breaking what Rollas described as “the cycle of death” and reclaiming the spiritual airways of the industry.
In addition to the spiritual aspect, Rollas expressed serious concern about the rise of unregulated and unprofessional filmmaking activities across the country. According to him, many so-called “content creators” now set up production camps in poor and unhealthy environments, often without proper safety procedures or professional oversight.
“People just wake up and equip themselves with cameras, and suddenly they claim to be part of Nollywood,” he said. “This is a bad trend. These people camp themselves in unverified, unsafe locations and make content with no regulation or safety standard. It’s dangerous, and we cannot continue like this.”
He stressed the need for proper licensing of content creators and production outfits, adding that such regulations would help the AGN and government authorities to track professional standards and ensure better working conditions on set.
The tragic deaths in Owerri have sparked a wave of mourning and concern within the Nollywood community. Many actors and stakeholders have taken to social media to express sadness over the news, calling for immediate reforms to ensure the safety of all cast and crew members on set.
Veteran actress Joke Silva described the deaths as “heartbreaking” and echoed the call for better regulation in the industry. “We must stop turning a blind eye to these tragedies. The film industry must evolve — spiritually, structurally, and professionally,” she posted.
Actor and filmmaker Yul Edochie also weighed in, saying the industry must strike a balance between creativity and caution. “While we are telling our stories, we must not forget to protect the lives of the people telling them,” he said.
Founded in 1998, the Actors Guild of Nigeria has grown to become one of the most influential bodies in Nollywood. Over the years, the guild has advocated for better working conditions, standard contracts, health support for actors, and improved professional practices across the industry.
However, despite the efforts, many production sites, especially low-budget or independent film sets, continue to operate outside of AGN’s regulatory purview. This lack of coordination makes it difficult to enforce standards or track incidents when they happen.
With this latest incident, the AGN appears ready to take a stronger stance, combining both spiritual and structural measures to bring an end to what it describes as “unacceptable and dangerous patterns” in the industry.
“It’s not just about mourning anymore,” Rollas said. “We must rise to act — through prayers, yes, but also by putting the right laws, rules, and people in place. Lives must be protected, and every actor deserves to go home safely after a day’s work.”
Rollas also called on the federal and state governments, the Ministry of Arts, Culture and Creative Economy, and other stakeholders in the entertainment sector to partner with AGN in enforcing safety regulations and licensing requirements.
He said it was time for Nigeria’s film sector to adopt standards similar to those found in other parts of the world where production safety, actor welfare, and insurance policies are strictly upheld.
