Nigerian comedian, writer, actor and occasional director Bovi Ugboma has revealed that he rejected several acting offers early in his career because he did not want to be typecast.
Bovi, who began his career as an actor and creator of the popular Nigerian comedy series Extended Family, which premiered in 2007, disclosed this while speaking on the CreativiTea podcast.
The 46-year-old entertainer said his portrayal of a rustic “Warri boy” in the series led to Nollywood offers that largely required him to play similar characters, including gatekeepers and passive roles.
“We all stood out in our different ways, and because my character was playing that typical Warri boy, the rustic village one, I started to get offers in Nollywood, but they were all tied to either being like that character, or a gateman, you know, or a passive role, and I turned all of them down,” he said.
Bovi said he rejected the roles because he believed his abilities extended beyond the character he had become known for.
“I was like, I know there’s more to me. I grew up watching TV, I grew up understanding how different industries work, Hollywood, Bollywood, so I was like, it’s too early for me to get stereotypical in my approach to my career,” he said.
The actor said his decision was influenced by an understanding, dating back to his teenage years, that entertainers could easily become trapped in certain roles once they became successful in them.
“To be honest, that idea of, I don’t want to be typecast this early, is something I had already known when I was a teenager; that happens in industries,” he said.
Bovi, however, acknowledged that being typecast can be financially rewarding when it is a deliberate career choice.
“There’s nothing wrong in being typecast, especially if you are doing it as a career path where you want to earn money. I want to earn money, I want to make money, but I know there is more to me than to be typecast,” he said.
He added that he still turns down acting roles when they do not align with his career direction.
The father of three said he began rejecting such offers in his late 20s, but advised young creatives to make decisions based on their long-term goals rather than immediate financial pressures.
“If you know what you want, just stick to it no matter what comes your way because a lot of people would just be like, oh, I’m hungry now. I need to take these roles,” he said.
Bovi also advised creatives to build their skills and reputation in a way that attracts opportunities, likening themselves to “sugar” that naturally draws “ants.”
