Hakeem Rahman

• Hakeem Adekunle Rahman is a Nigerian actor.
• He tells Nollywoodgossip: “I’m the immediate past vice-president of Actors’ Guild of Nigeria (AGN).”
• He says: “I have done over 100 movies and over 50 soap operas playing the leading roles.”
• He says: “I started while I was in primary school in Kano State Ansarudeen Primary School Kano. I’m a well-celebrated actor. I have garnered so many awards. I’m a well sought-after actor and I shoot outside Lagos very well.”

By Funmi Daniels (Talk Time With Funmi).

Please sir, can Nollywoodgossip readers meet you?

Yes my name is Hakeem Adekunle Rahman. I’m the immediate past vice-president of Actors’ Guild of Nigeria (AGN). I’m married with lovely kids. I’m a graduate of University of Lagos where I read accounting. I’m also a member of Chartered institute of bankers and Chartered institute of accountants. I worked as a bank official for 20 years. I have done over 100 movies and over 50 soap operas playing the leading roles.

Why did you leave banking for acting?

Acting is an inborn thing. I’m a natural actor. I started while I was in primary school in Kano State Ansarudeen Primary School Kano. I’m a well-celebrated actor. I have gathered so many awards. I’m well sought-after actor and I shoot outside Lagos very well.

How it all started.

Well I was in primary 5 in Ansarudeen Primary School Kano when Baba Sala used to come and do stage performance in Kano in a hotel. I will sneak out to watch him. And will do a replica in our big compound in Sabo Garri. I’ll gather all the children within the vicinity to come and watch me. The spirit and passion to act developed from there. Later I got myself involved with Checkmate as my first professional job. I was supposed to be paid but I did not collect money, because I was working with the Union Bank then. I had money. I didn’t need acting money. So I never collected my money in checkmate till date, which was since 1992. I later resigned from the bank and embraced acting fully in 1997.

These days I work on international movies that go on cinemas worldwide. I have my fans worldwide.

I have been in the politics of the guild since. I am celebrated at Heathrow airport anytime I travel to UK.

I was a south west leader, now a king maker.

Challenges?

Yes terrible ones! When I became vice president with Ejike Asiegbu as the president of AGN, I challenged the wrong doings of our government, that at led to Ejike’s suspension by the board of trustees. Then I became the interim president for seven months. It was very challenging. Those who feared Ejike and love his balderdash stood against my government. Ejike was empowered to take us to Alagbon, court and Ikoyi prison with the board of trustees. In my 20 years as a banker, I was never taken to Ikoyi prison. I cried like a baby! Once I was asked to cut the grass along with my colleagues. The inmates wanted us to act for them but Emma Ogugua encouraged me not to give up. Emma was strong hearted.

Have things changed for good in Nollywood?

Well things have changed, we shoot with better camera now, we use good locations, and we partner with foreigners in our films, though the payments have not improved that much.

Nollywood in the next 5 years.

Well in the next five years we would have caught up with Hollywood, bearing in my mind that we have peered with them and have done well. They commend us. Trust Nigerian actors, we no dey carry last.

Some of your works.

I’m on top of my game. I have delivered good jobs, which include: NNENA, Super Story, where I played Uncle Wiliki. It was a block buster. The movies Executive Mess and Show Me Heaven were block busters. Political Control, Queen of Aso Rock, Marriage Planner, King’s Will, Forces of Nature, Night of judgment, and more.

Nollywoodgossip wishes you the best.

Thanks for having me.

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