Nigerian skit maker and actress Kemi Ikuseedun, popularly known as Mummy Wa, has shared her personal experience with s3xual h@r@ssment in the Nigerian movie industry. In an emotional conversation during her appearance on the WithChude podcast with host Chude Jideonwo, Mummy Wa spoke candidly about the challenges she faced as a young actress trying to make a name for herself in Nollywood.
Mummy Wa, who rose to fame in 2023 following her popular appearances in Mr Macaroni’s skits, revealed that she was subjected to unwanted s3xual advances from filmmakers during her early years in the industry.
“Behind the scenes, a lot of people are asking for things. They are requesting for a whole lot of things that I cannot do,” Mummy Wa disclosed. She further expressed the pressure she faced to choose between compromising her values or risking her career. “Where do I want to start from? Me that I’m already coming from a place where they tell me ‘this thing will not work’. How many people do I want to sleep with?”
The actress also highlighted the unfortunate reality that even women who did comply with such advances were often not guaranteed success in their careers. “To be honest, you might actually sleep with somebody in the industry and you will still not blow with the role they will give you. I saw a lot of men. But guess what? Even the slim ones that don’t have anything, they are still asking for things from them.”
Mummy Wa’s comments shed light on the pervasive nature of sexual harassment in Nollywood, where actresses, regardless of their stature, face exploitation. However, she was adamant about maintaining her integrity, stating, “No woman is free. No woman is immune. But I can’t do it.”
Her courage to speak out adds to the growing conversation around the need for systemic change in the Nigerian film industry, where s3xual h@r@ssment and exploitation have long been a silent issue. By sharing her story, Mummy Wa has joined other voices calling for a safer and more respectful environment for women in Nollywood.
