Veteran Kannywood actor Usaini Sule Koki has expressed concern over what he described as poor remuneration for experienced actors in the Hausa film industry, saying many pioneers who helped build the sector are no longer adequately compensated for their contributions.
Speaking in an interview with SolaceBase TV, Koki said veteran actors often receive between N20,000 and N50,000 for film roles despite their decades of experience and continued relevance in the industry.
“Kannywood does not pay us our worth,” he said.
Koki, who has been active in Hausa filmmaking since its formative years, said he and other veteran actors continue to feature in productions that promote Islamic teachings and Hausa cultural values.
However, he lamented that such contributions are often not matched by financial rewards.
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Recalling a recent experience, the actor said some producers approached him for a role and offered him N7,000.
“Seven thousand naira is not enough for my household expenses for the day I would spend working for them,” he said.
The veteran actor further alleged that while many experienced actors struggle to secure reasonable fees, some actresses receive hundreds of thousands of naira for film appearances.
He said he finds it difficult to understand why actors who focus on cultural and moral education are often paid significantly less than others in the industry.
According to him, the disparity reflects a wider trend in which entertainment-oriented productions attract more financial support than films that seek to educate audiences or preserve cultural and religious values.
Koki also questioned what he described as contradictions among some critics of Kannywood.
He said certain individuals frequently criticize filmmakers and actors over what they consider negative practices in the industry.
However, when they become involved in film production themselves, they often hire the same actors they previously condemned rather than engaging veterans known for promoting Hausa culture and Islamic values.
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“Why is it that when they have work to do, they still go back to those same people?” he asked.
He maintained that films that promote Islamic teachings and Hausa traditions deserve greater support from producers, sponsors and audiences, arguing that educational and culturally oriented productions play an important role in society.
Meanwhile, Koki linked the remuneration challenges facing actors to broader funding constraints within the industry.
While acknowledging that some producers operate on limited budgets, he argued that available resources should be distributed more fairly among cast members.
He also called for greater recognition of veteran actors, many of whom, he said, have dedicated their lives to developing Kannywood and preserving the values it was originally established to promote.
Despite his concerns, Koki said he remains committed to the industry and hopeful that conditions will improve for future generations of performers.
