LAGOS, NIGERIA – Veteran Nollywood actor Jide Kosoko has set Twitter ablaze in Nigeria following his recent appearance on the Honest Bunch podcast in the UK, where he addressed the contentious issue of “sex-for-roles” in the Nigerian film industry. As of today, March 24, 2025, the hashtag #JideKosoko is trending across the platform, with users expressing a spectrum of opinions—from outrage and accusations to defenses and calls for context—about the 71-year-old actor’s statements. This article delves into the latest buzz on Twitter, capturing the sentiments, debates, and divisions sparked by Kosoko’s remarks.
The Spark: Kosoko’s Podcast Comments
The uproar began after a clip from the Honest Bunch podcast surfaced online on March 23, 2025, showing Kosoko discussing sexual exploitation in Nollywood. In the video, he stated, “If I say I need you to come warm my bed before I can give you a particular movie role and you say you don’t want, just go, they cannot force you to do that. But if you want that role by all means…” He further noted that some women enter the industry determined to sleep with influential figures to secure roles, framing it as a personal choice rather than systemic coercion.
The snippet, widely shared by accounts like @TrendingEx and @trendingblog247, quickly ignited a firestorm. While Kosoko appeared to condemn exploitation by emphasizing consent, many interpreted his words as an admission of participating in or normalizing such practices, thrusting the veteran actor—and Nollywood’s broader culture—into the spotlight.
Outrage and Accusations Take Center Stage
A significant portion of Twitter users in Nigeria expressed fury, accusing Kosoko of perpetuating a toxic industry dynamic. @InsightsView tweeted, “Jide Kosoko, Thank God you live in Nigeria. If it is in Europe or America you will be jailed for life. Nigeria is gone,” reflecting a belief that his comments would have legal repercussions elsewhere. The post, shared at 2:28 AM PDT on March 23, garnered significant traction, amplifying calls for accountability.
Similarly, @dmovingark wrote at 12:17 AM PDT on March 24, “Jide Kosoko & co are people that polluted the film industry till date. Thank God he’s not even denying it bcos we that know we know. Only Gen Z will argue without proof.” The tweet positioned Kosoko as a symbol of Nollywood’s longstanding issues, with some users labeling him a “sex predator” and linking his comments to his political affiliation with the All Progressives Congress (APC). “He’s APC member so he’s expected to sound stupid,” remarked @taiwoalabiho2, tying the controversy to partisan disdain.
The hashtag #JideKosoko became a rallying point for critics, with posts demanding his cancellation and questioning his legacy. “71 years old and still defending nonsense. Nollywood’s problem starts with people like him,” one user wrote, encapsulating the anger directed at the veteran actor.
Defenders Push Back: Context Matters
Not all reactions were condemnatory. A vocal contingent of Twitter users urged caution, arguing that Kosoko’s words were taken out of context or misrepresented by selective editing. @Jide_Olusola, posting at 10:36 AM PDT on March 23, criticized the Honest Bunch editors: “Honest bunch editors are not nice. They seem to enjoy their guests being dragged for them to get views. Nigerians won’t even watch the few seconds clip but are already condemning Jide Kosoko.” Accompanied by the podcast clip, the tweet suggested that the full conversation might paint a different picture.
@taiwoalabiho2 echoed this sentiment at 3:32 AM PDT on March 23, stating, “If you’ve seen previous snippets of Honest Bunch podcast, you should know that’s a cut and join and should not be dragging Jide Kosoko.” This defense highlighted a growing frustration with sensationalized snippets fueling outrage without full context, urging users to reserve judgment until the entire episode is reviewed.
Supporters also praised Kosoko’s broader contributions to Nollywood. “Jide Kosoko has given us decades of entertainment. One comment doesn’t erase that,” tweeted a user under #JideKosoko, reflecting a desire to separate his legacy from the current controversy.
A Broader Debate on Nollywood’s Culture
Beyond Kosoko, the hashtag #JideKosoko has sparked a wider conversation about sexual exploitation and power dynamics in Nollywood. @DAMIADENUGA shifted focus to another issue Kosoko raised on the podcast—piracy—tweeting at 1:49 AM PDT on March 24, “The punishment that is in that copyright law for people that pirate your job is still not strong enough as far as I’m concerned.” While less viral, this post showed Kosoko addressing multiple industry challenges, though it was overshadowed by the sex-for-roles furor.
Users also debated systemic accountability. “Kosoko isn’t the problem, the whole industry is. Producers, directors, actors—all complicit,” one tweet read, suggesting that the veteran’s comments merely scratched the surface of a deeper issue. Others called for reforms, with #JideKosoko posts advocating for stricter regulations and support for aspiring actors to prevent exploitation.
The Pulse of Nigerian Twitter
As of 3:34 AM PDT on March 24, 2025, #JideKosoko remains a trending topic in Nigeria, with posts ranging from fiery condemnations to measured defenses. The controversy has exposed fault lines—generational, political, and ethical—within the country’s Twittersphere. For some, Kosoko’s remarks confirm long-held suspicions about Nollywood’s underbelly; for others, they’re a misconstrued fragment of a larger narrative.
Western Post Nigeria (@westernpost_ng) reported on March 23, “Forget about sex-for-role in Nollywood, says Jide Kosoko,” framing his stance as a dismissal of coercion claims, yet this only fueled the debate further. Whether the full podcast, once widely viewed, will shift perceptions remains unclear. For now, Twitter users continue to dissect Kosoko’s words, his career, and Nollywood itself, making #JideKosoko a digital battleground of opinions.
