Nollywood actor, Zubby Michael has alleged that some industry executives deliberately avoid mentoring Igbo talents because they fear the emergence of future competitors.
Michael made the claim in an interview with Broadway TV, which gained attention on Sunday, August 30, 2026.
The actor said some established professionals are reluctant to transfer their knowledge to upcoming Igbo talents because they believe the younger practitioners could quickly master the skills and eventually compete with them.
According to Michael, the speed with which some Igbo talents learn makes some executives particularly cautious about mentoring them.
“Igbo people are fast learners and they are capable of making it big with just a little,” he said.
Michael explained that a skill acquired over several years by an established professional could be mastered by a mentee within a much shorter period.
“You might decide to mentor an Igbo person and what took you 10 years to learn, he will learn it in one year and six months,” he said.
He further alleged that the fear becomes stronger when the relationship between a mentor and mentee deteriorates, as the younger practitioner may leave and establish a competing business using the knowledge gained.
“And if you don’t treat him well, he will leave you and start doing the same business you taught him and become your competition,” Michael said.
“So, people are scared of that,” he added.
The actor also claimed that the alleged reluctance to mentor Igbo talents is not limited to executives from other ethnic groups.
Michael said some Igbo executives themselves are also hesitant to support upcoming Igbo practitioners because of fears that their protégés could eventually surpass them.
“Industry executives, including some Igbos, don’t like supporting Igbos because they feel like they will get betrayed by their mentee outshining them,” he said.
His comments have brought mentorship and professional competition into focus within Nollywood, particularly the relationship between established practitioners and younger talents seeking opportunities in the industry.
Michael’s allegation suggests that some emerging talents may face barriers not because of a lack of ability, but because established professionals may be unwilling to share the knowledge and connections required to advance their careers.
The actor, however, did not name any specific executive whom he accused of deliberately refusing to mentor Igbo talents.
He also did not provide statistical evidence to establish that the alleged practice is widespread across Nollywood.
His comments therefore remain a personal observation and allegation rather than an independently established fact about the Nigerian film industry.
The controversy surrounding the remarks is likely to further fuel conversations about mentorship, succession and competition in Nollywood, especially as younger actors, filmmakers and other creative professionals continue seeking pathways into the industry.
For Michael, the ability of upcoming talents to learn quickly should not become a reason for established professionals to withhold mentorship.
Instead, his comments have raised the question of whether successful practitioners should see the rise of their protégés as a threat or as evidence of a stronger and more sustainable entertainment industry.
