Veteran Yoruba Nollywood actor and filmmaker, Ibrahim Chatta, has opened up about his early struggles in Lagos before rising to prominence in the Nigerian film industry.
Speaking in an interview on TVC News from 6:59, Chatta shared his experiences of trying to make ends meet in the city when he first arrived, revealing the harsh realities that greeted him upon departure from his home town.
After the death of his father, Chatta’s mother insisted that he finish his education before pursuing any career. However, the young actor had other plans and felt that schooling was not the right path for him.
This decision led him to move to Lagos in search of a future in acting. But upon arrival, he soon discovered that life in the bustling city was not as glamorous as he had imagined.
The actor recounted how his lack of formal education and a certificate became significant barriers when he sought employment.
One of his early job aspirations was to work as a gateman, but he faced rejection because he didn’t possess the required Senior Secondary School Certificate Examination (SSCE), which was often a basic prerequisite for such positions.
Chatta went on to describe the tough times he faced in the city, where he resorted to doing various menial jobs to survive. He worked as a seller of ice cream and puff-puff, and also spent several years as a bus conductor in Lagos.
In his words; “After My father died, my mother insisted that I should just stay and finish school. I said, ‘No, school is not for me; I just want to go.’ Then I got to Lagos and realized it wasn’t the way I perceived it. The reality now dawned on me that it’s not going to be easy, so I didn’t find it easy. I started doing a lot of menial jobs with no education and no certificate. Sometimes, back then, when you even looked into working as a gate man, you’d be asked for at least an SSCE, and I didn’t have that and couldn’t get the job. So, I had to resort to working, like hawking ice cream, puff-puff, and working as a bus conductor for about 8 years in Lagos.”
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