Actor Rex Nosa: YouTube Has Turned Many of Us Into Enemies

Nollywood actor Rex Nosa has explained how strategic planning, foresight and adapting to changes in the entertainment industry helped him move beyond his early reputation as an Asaba-based actor to become a nationally recognised entertainer.

The actor, who described his time in Asaba as an important foundation for his career, said his journey was guided by a clear vision of where he wanted to be in the industry.

According to him, his decision to work in Asaba was intentional, as the location offered opportunities to build experience during a period when film marketers largely controlled Nigeria’s movie industry.

Nosa clarified that although many people associate him with Asaba, he was born and raised in Lagos, where he completed his primary and secondary education. He moved to Asaba after graduating from Ambrose Alli University, Ekpoma, to pursue acting.

He explained that several established actors had begun their careers through grassroots film productions in Asaba and Enugu before expanding their reach.

“I knew I needed to build a solid foundation in the industry and eventually move back to Lagos,” he said, stressing that his career decisions were guided by long-term goals.

Nosa noted that understanding the right time to evolve and move forward was crucial to his professional growth.

He added that his ability to recognise industry trends and position himself accordingly helped him transition beyond his initial career base.

The actor’s experience highlights the importance of having a clear vision, building a strong foundation and embracing change in an increasingly competitive entertainment industry.

The interview also raised questions about how Nosa’s academic background in Mechanical Engineering influenced his eventual entry into acting.

Nigerian actor and content creator Rex Nosa has spoken about the changing relationships among entertainers in the YouTube era, saying the growing competition for online audiences has affected the spirit of collaboration within the industry.

The actor, who has built a presence through movie productions and comedy content, said some entertainers have become increasingly distant from one another as they concentrate on developing their individual YouTube channels and businesses.

In an interview, Rex Nosa explained that although the platform has created opportunities for actors to produce and distribute their own films, it has also introduced new challenges involving investment, competition and professional relationships.

“YouTube has also turned many of us into enemies in some ways. Some people no longer answer one another’s calls, and we hardly hang out or spend time together,” he said.

According to the actor, the pressure of managing personal productions can make entertainers suspicious of calls from colleagues, particularly when they assume that every conversation may involve a request for assistance or collaboration.

He, however, maintained that actors should not abandon professional relationships simply because they are building competing businesses, stressing that nobody can predict how circumstances may change in the future.

How acting became his career

Rex Nosa disclosed that his journey into acting began long before he formally entered the Nigerian film industry. As a child, he participated in church dramas, led songs during services and played the drums.

He recalled enjoying opportunities to entertain people during church activities, adding that he sometimes asked people to interview him after children’s drama performances because he wanted to experience the excitement of being treated like a star.

However, acting became a professional career after his graduation. During his 300-level industrial training in Asaba, Delta State, he encountered several actors and became interested in living in a place where he could interact with people in the industry.

After graduation, he moved to Asaba and began looking for opportunities to participate in movie productions.

His first major step came when he discovered an audition but was informed that he needed to register with the Actors Guild of Nigeria before participating.

He immediately registered and obtained a temporary membership card, which allowed him to attend the audition.

Rex Nosa said he later received a telephone call informing him that he had been selected. That opportunity marked the beginning of his professional acting journey in 2010.

He admitted that he initially knew little about filmmaking techniques, recalling how he once attempted to leave a set after what he thought was the completion of a scene, only to be told that the production team still needed close-up shots.

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He said most of his knowledge of acting and film production came from practical experience on set.

Funke Akindele gave him a wider audience

The actor also discussed his experience working with filmmaker and actress Funke Akindele on the popular television sitcom Jenifa’s Diary.

According to him, he knew Akindele before the series because they had worked together on productions in the eastern part of Nigeria.

He recalled seeing her and a writer working on the concept for the sitcom during breaks on a movie set in Awka.

Akindele later contacted him about joining the series, but his existing filming commitments in Asaba initially prevented him from accepting the opportunity.

He eventually joined the production around its seventh season, when the sitcom had already gained significant popularity.

Rex Nosa explained that the role gave him an opportunity to reach audiences in Lagos and demonstrate his ability to portray characters beyond the roles he commonly played in eastern Nigerian productions.

He travelled from Asaba to Lagos for filming, sometimes leaving at about 4 a.m. to arrive on set for morning call times.

The actor expressed appreciation to Akindele for giving him the opportunity, noting that distance could have discouraged some producers from working with him.

He also recalled an occasion when he had started travelling back to Asaba after filming but was called to return to Lagos because of an error in the footage. He returned, completed the necessary scenes and resumed his journey.

YouTube has changed actors’ earnings

Rex Nosa said the Nigerian film industry has undergone significant changes since the period when marketers financed productions and movies were widely distributed on DVDs.

He explained that marketers previously played a major role in determining the films produced and providing the funds required for production. This arrangement enabled actors to participate in movies regularly.

However, he argued that the present YouTube-driven model requires many filmmakers to finance their own projects without any guarantee of recovering their investments.

He noted that the industry now offers creators greater independence, but that freedom comes with additional financial risks.

The actor currently operates his own YouTube channel while continuing to feature in other people’s productions, including projects released on the same platform.

He said he believes collaboration remains necessary because entertainers may need one another’s support in the future.

Although he now gives greater attention to his personal projects, he continues accepting selected roles in other productions, organising his schedule around his frequent travels between Nigeria and London.

Marriage, family and his online identity

Rex Nosa disclosed that he has been married since 2015 and has children. His family lives in London, which contributes to his frequent travel between the United Kingdom and Nigeria.

He credited his wife for supporting his entertainment career and helping him maintain a stable family life despite the demands of the industry.

The actor said they maintain open communication about his professional activities, including the content he publishes online.

He explained that his wife sometimes reviews his photographs before publication and has even recorded some of his social media content.

According to him, their understanding allows him to pursue his career while respecting his wife’s concerns and maintaining trust within their marriage.

He also explained that his sensual comedy content was developed partly to distinguish himself from other actors and create a recognisable identity online.

Rex Nosa said he had always enjoyed making his friends laugh and decided to turn that natural tendency into a distinctive form of entertainment.

He acknowledged that some people might disapprove of the content but maintained that he creates it for entertainment rather than to attract romantic attention.

His ambitions and advice to upcoming actors

Looking ahead, Rex Nosa said he hopes to participate in major productions that would allow audiences to see different sides of his acting abilities.

He expressed interest in playing twins with contrasting personalities and potentially portraying multiple characters in one film.

However, he acknowledged that commercial considerations influence his decisions, particularly because comedy currently provides business opportunities.

He also urged audiences to watch Couple in Power, a film he made with actress Tara Matu.

Advising aspiring actors, Rex Nosa encouraged them to believe in themselves, leave their comfort zones and use social media to showcase their abilities.

He said emerging actors should record their performances, publish engaging content and tag producers who might be interested in their talents.

The actor explained that he began creating comedy content because suitable roles were not coming his way, demonstrating that entertainers can create opportunities rather than wait for others to discover them.

He further advised young people to avoid discouraging influences, surround themselves with supportive individuals and remain committed to developing their skills.

For Rex Nosa, success in the entertainment industry requires talent, initiative, professional relationships and the courage to create a distinctive identity.