Nollywood star, Adunni Ade believes the industry must embrace growth without losing the authenticity that makes Nigerian stories unique. In this interview, she discusses her career, versatility, motherhood, family, work and finding greater contentment in life. Ferdinand Ekechukwu brings the excerpts:
What’s been happening to Adunni lately?
I’m doing really well. I’m in a very interesting season of my life right now. Motherhood, work, family, everything is happening at once. It can get a little crazy, but I’m genuinely grateful. I feel like I’m learning to enjoy life a little more and not put so much pressure on myself.
How is Baby Sal doing, what has raising a toddler been like this time around?
Baby Sal is doing amazing. She definitely keeps me on my toes! And I think this time around I’m much more present. This is not me saying I wasn’t with my boys but I was trying to figure out life and my career at the same time. Now, I’m more settled within myself, so I’m able to slow down and really enjoy all those little moments. Although, let me tell you, toddler energy is no joke! It definitely feels like starting over.
Having already navigated raising two teenage boys, what feels different about mothering a baby girl now?
Everything! With the boys, I thought I knew what I was doing, and then this little girl came and said, ‘Start again.’ There’s definitely a different softness that comes with raising her. Having such a big age gap between her and her brothers makes it even more special because I get to watch them love and protect her too. I’m also discovering this whole girly side of motherhood. I’m talking clothes, the hair, all of that and I’m enjoying it.
One of your major career moves was taking the reins as executive producer on Soólè. How did stepping into that producer role shape your perspective as a filmmaker, and are there plans to produce another project anytime soon?
Producing Soólè gave me an entirely different respect for filmmaking. As an actor, you come in and you’re focused primarily on your character and doing your job well. As a producer, suddenly you’re thinking about everything—the story, casting, locations, logistics, budget, marketing, and all the things happening behind the camera that the audience never sees. It was challenging, but I loved having that level of creative responsibility. It also made me a better actor because now when I walk onto somebody else’s set; I understand what it took to get that production to that point. And yes, I absolutely want to produce more, I mean I never stopped. A few more on YouTube… I’m just at a stage where I don’t want to create something simply because I can. The story has to be worth telling.
Whether behind or in front of the screen, you moved between mainstream English and Yoruba production seamlessly. How have you navigated both spaces so effortlessly?
For me, I’ve never wanted to put myself in one box. I’m Yoruba, that culture is part of me, but I’m also an actor who wants to tell great stories regardless of the language. I love that I can move from a Yoruba project into an English-language film and still feel at home in both spaces. They challenge me differently. Language, culture and even the rhythm of performance can change, but ultimately my job remains the same: make the audience believe me. I think Nollywood is becoming more global, so those lines are becoming less important. A good story can travel anywhere. I don’t want language to define the kind of actor I am. I want the work to do that.
Having experienced the industry from so many distinct angles, what are your biggest expectations for Nollywood’s future?
My biggest hope is that we continue to grow without losing what makes our stories uniquely ours. Nollywood has come such a long way, and the world is paying attention now. I want to see even more investment in our industry, stronger structures, and better opportunities for us behind the scenes, and our filmmakers having the resources to execute their visions at the highest level. I also want us to keep telling authentic African stories. We don’t always have to change our stories to make them understandable to the rest of the world. Let the world come and meet us where we are.
When you’re not on set or tending to Baby Sal, where are we most likely to find you and what is bringing you the absolute most joy these days?
Honestly? At home… People probably think my life is much more glamorous than it actually is. If I’m not working, I really enjoy being home, spending time with my family and just doing normal things. I’m also very much in my content-creator era, so you might find me somewhere filming, editing, testing a beauty product, putting an outfit together. I influence for brands here. These days, the simple things genuinely bring me the most joy. My children, family, peace, being able to work on things I enjoy and just appreciating where I am in life.