Bukunmi Oluwasina Slams the “Women Supporting Women” Slogan in Nollywood
Award-winning Nollywood actress and filmmaker Bukunmi Oluwasina has made waves with her recent candid comments about female solidarity in the Nigerian film industry, declaring that the popular mantra “women supporting women” is “a scam”.
Speaking in a recent interview with BBC Pidgin, Oluwasina said that while many women in the industry publicly profess support for one another, the backing rarely holds up when it matters most.
She pointed out that the trend of women helping male colleagues seems stronger than the commitment often shown to fellow women. “You know say women supporting women for Nollywood na scam. E no dey always long,” she stated in Pidgin.
Key Points from Her Statement
Oluwasina argued that women are more willing to lend money and support to men (for starting a business or other ventures) than to another woman. She said:
“If you follow one woman talk, you go hear them say dem fit borrow man money make e start business, but to borrow fellow woman money make she start business e dey always hard.”
She noted that though hardworking women exist in Nollywood who make it on talent and drive rather than through sponsorship or being “backed” by someone, their efforts are sometimes minimised or overshadowed:
“Women dey industry wey no get sponsor, dem dey do the work… But na other people wey dey under their shadow dey use am run their thing, dey water down those women effort, making it look like everybody get sponsor.”
She remarked that the problem is not unique to Nollywood, but is reflective of a wider societal issue.
Implications
Oluwasina’s critique invites reflection on how female relationships and support networks operate in creative industries like Nollywood. Her comments challenge the idea that women automatically form a supporting sisterhood, pointing instead to rivalry, competition, or selective support. The remarks could prompt industry players to reassess mentorship, sponsorship, and egalitarian support among women professionals.
Her remarks have already sparked conversations on social media and in entertainment circles, with many agreeing that the sentiment rings true, while others argue that genuine female support still exists but is perhaps under-reported.