Nollywood actress and singer, Bukunmi Oluwasina, has stirred conversation after describing the popular phrase “women supporting women” as a scam, claiming that most female solidarity in the Nigerian film industry is insincere.
In an interview with BBC Pidgin, the actress and mother of one said the idea of women lifting one another up rarely holds true in Nollywood. According to her, while some women publicly show support for their colleagues, such backing often fades when genuine help is needed.
Oluwasina argued that many women find it easier to assist men than to support their fellow women. She noted that some women would willingly lend money to men to start businesses but hesitate to do the same for other women.
“I don’t blame anyone for this,” she said, “but it’s a deeper issue among women themselves.”
The actress emphasized that this problem extends beyond Nollywood, suggesting that the same pattern exists in other industries. She maintained that though people often speak about women empowering one another, much of the supposed support is fake or short-lived.
Oluwasina also highlighted that several hardworking women in the entertainment industry succeed on their own merit without relying on sponsors. However, she lamented that their efforts are often undermined by stereotypes suggesting that every successful woman has a financial backer.
She said, “In Nollywood, ‘women supporting women’ no dey last. Even when it happens, most times e no dey genuine. There are women doing great work without sponsors, but others hide under their achievements, making it look like every successful woman gets help from a man.”
