Ijoba Lande Reveals He Was Paid Only N90k for One Month on Funke Akindele’s Set
Popular Nigerian skit maker and comedian Ijoba Lande has revealed that he was paid just N90,000 after working for one full month on a movie set with well-known actress and producer Funke Akindele. In a recent video, he shared the experience to caution upcoming entertainers against working for exposure at the cost of fair pay.
Ijoba Lande explained that he joined the production at Amen Estate with high hopes, thinking that working with a star like Funke Akindele would open doors for future jobs. He admitted he was so excited about the opportunity that he didn’t negotiate any payment before arriving.
When he got to the set, a woman named Wendy, a member of the production team, gave him a contract. The document clearly stated that his monthly pay would be N90,000. Although surprised by the low amount, he still signed it. At the time, he believed it might later be adjusted or reconsidered. But by the end of the month, he was paid the exact amount written in the agreement—N90,000—with no bonus or increase.
Reflecting on the situation, Ijoba Lande advised aspiring entertainers not to place stars on a pedestal or assume they will be treated better just because of admiration. He said being educated and informed is important so people don’t sign contracts that don’t benefit them.
He said, “I won’t lie, I was excited about working with Aunty Funke, so I didn’t charge her, thinking she might not want to work with me again if I did. But someone called Wendy gave me a document to sign. I read it and saw N90,000 per month. Since I was already there, I signed it. If I were better educated, I wouldn’t have done that.”
He added that he decided to speak out so others wouldn’t make the same mistake. “Don’t see anyone as a god,” he warned.
Q: Why did Ijoba Lande accept N90,000 without complaint at first?
A: He was excited to work with Funke Akindele and hoped the job would lead to future opportunities, so he didn’t ask for better pay upfront.
Tips for upcoming entertainers:
- Always read and understand any document before signing.
- Don’t assume exposure is more valuable than fair compensation.
- Stay educated and informed to avoid exploitation.
- Value your work and don’t be afraid to negotiate.
