Lateef Adedimeji recently reflected on his early days in Nollywood, revealing that he earned as little as N4,000 for a lead role in 2014. In an interview with Teju Oyelakin on the Tejubabyface show, Adedimeji shared his journey and the financial struggles he faced before his breakthrough.
He mentioned that it wasn’t until 2015 that he started earning between N100,000 to N200,000 per role. This gradual increase marked the beginning of his recognition and financial stability in the industry.
Adedimeji also shared profound advice from his father, which has guided him through his career. His father told him that true success would be evident when women begin to surround him, seeking his attention. However, he cautioned that the day Adedimeji could no longer discipline himself and started engaging with these women would mark the onset of his downfall. This advice highlighted the dual nature of success and the importance of self-control.
“If I tell people that I wasn’t collecting N100,000, N200,000 until 2015/16, a lot of people would not believe me. Before then, the highest I collected for a lead role was either N4,000, N5,000, or N10,000. I was paid that low back in 2014 because it was more like a learning process.”
Adedimeji emphasized his father’s wisdom: “The day you know you are successful is when women are surrounding you to get your attention. The day you will also know that the time of doom is near is when you can’t caution yourself and you start following them back. Females come with the success and the ruin.”
This candid revelation offers insight into the actor’s humble beginnings and the values that have kept him grounded despite his rising fame.