Afeez Oyetoro Reveals Real Reason He Married At 40
Afeez Oyetoro reveals he delayed marriage until 40 due to low confidence and financial struggles during his early theatre career in heartfelt interview
Veteran Nollywood actor Afeez Oyetoro, popularly known as Saka, has spoken candidly about the personal and professional battles that led to his marriage delay.
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The 61-year-old comedian, known for his iconic performances in Nigerian film and television, explained why he didn’t tie the knot until he was 40.
Speaking during a recent appearance on WithChude, Afeez Oyetoro attributed his marriage delay to a combination of self-doubt and financial instability in his early acting career.
“I did not have confidence. It took me a long time to start toasting. I got married late because of two major things. My profession and myself,” he admitted.
Oyetoro’s journey in the theatre world was marked by a fierce passion for the arts, yet it came with little financial reward.
As a result, the early years of his career were a struggle not just creatively but materially.
He described a lack of guidance from his mentors on how to monetise his acting craft, which further complicated his readiness for adult commitments like marriage.
I got married late because of two major things. My profession and myself.
“In my profession, which is theatre, there was no money to be made. Then, nobody recognises artistes. We were doing it out of passion. And the worst part of it is that they did not teach us how to make money from theatre. We were just acting,” he said.
Reflecting on how these issues impacted his love life, Afeez Oyetoro recounted a painful episode with a woman he had once intended to marry.
She criticised his dedication to theatre and dismissed his prospects, telling him to abandon his dreams and find a more practical career.
“In fact, one of them told me one day that ‘Afeez you are wasting your life. Leave this theatre and go and do something relevant with your life’,” he shared.
His confidence was further shaken when another woman placed material conditions on their potential marriage.
“The one I was actually supposed to marry was demanding that I have two cars before she married me. Then something told me, Afeez, this is not your wife. So, I ran away,” he said with a touch of humour.
It wasn’t until much later in life that things began to take shape for the actor.
He eventually married Olaide Oyetoro in 2003, when he was 40.
The couple has three children together. Oyetoro, who studied Theatre Arts at Obafemi Awolowo University and the University of Ibadan, continues to inspire younger actors through both his work and his story.
Today, Afeez Oyetoro remains a beloved figure in Nigerian entertainment.
His resilience in the face of adversity, and his eventual triumph, add depth to the laughter he brings on screen.
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The story behind Afeez Oyetoro’s marriage delay is a powerful reminder that success and fulfilment often arrive on their own timeline.
