Nigerian actor Jim Iyke has stirred controversy with his candid revelations about why no Ghanaian actors were featured in his latest movie, “SIN,” despite his desire to include them. Speaking during the film’s premiere at Silverbird Cinemas in Accra on Friday, July 25, 2025, the Nollywood star exposed the complex dynamics that continue to hinder collaboration between the Nigerian and Ghanaian film industries.
The Investor’s List: Limited Casting Choices
During an exclusive interview on 3FM Drive on Thursday, July 24, 2025, Jim Iyke pulled back the curtain on film financing realities that many audiences never see. The actor revealed that his suggestion to include Ghanaian talent in “SIN” was firmly rejected by the movie’s investors, who provided him with a predetermined list of acceptable cast members.
“They had a list; on that list, they had certain names I can only work with. I could not circumvent it. Unfortunately, there’s no Ghanaian actor on that list,” Jim Iyke disclosed, highlighting the often-overlooked influence that financiers wield over creative decisions in African cinema.
The movie “SIN” features an impressive lineup of Nigerian entertainment personalities, including Shaffy Bello, Kenneth Nwadike, Toke Makinwa, Charles Okocha, and Chidi Mokeme, alongside Jim Iyke himself. The absence of Ghanaian actors becomes more striking when considering the movie’s premiere location in Accra.
The Politics Behind the Exclusion
When pressed about the reasoning behind the exclusion, Jim Iyke turned the question back to Ghanaians themselves, suggesting that internal industry politics may be to blame. “This is a question that is for you guys (Ghanaians) to answer because I can tell you ten names that deserve to be on that list,” he stated.
His pointed observation that “they have allowed politics to supersede that gift or the real reason why that space was gifted to them” suggests deep-seated issues within Ghana’s entertainment industry that may be limiting opportunities for local actors on the international stage.
Jim Iyke believes that external influences have successfully exploited the insecurities and fears of talented Ghanaian performers, ultimately undermining their collective bargaining power. “What is the problem then? It is outside and external forces that came in to tell the gifted people that you are not good enough by preying and feeding on their insecurities and fears, and they succumb to it,” he explained.
The Emotional Factor: Business vs. Personal Feelings
One of Jim Iyke’s most controversial observations centered on what he perceives as fundamental differences in how Nigerians and Ghanaians approach business relationships. He argued that emotional considerations too often interfere with professional decisions in Ghana’s entertainment industry.
“Now this is the difference between us (Nigerians) and you (Ghanaians). We don’t get emotional about money. I can sit here and do movies with my worst enemy and still not be in a social circle,” he stated.
The actor revealed details about a previous collaboration between the Nigerian and Ghanaian entertainment industries that ended in disappointment due to emotional reactions. According to his account, this partnership had significant potential before being derailed by interpersonal conflicts.
“From first-class information that has gotten to us, there was a certain time that there was a collaboration between Nigerians and Ghanaians that was heading for better waters,” he recounted. The collaboration’s failure, which Jim Iyke attributed to someone getting “emotional” over “the wrong word,” appears to have had lasting consequences for cross-border partnerships.
Economic Realities and Industry Recognition
Jim Iyke provided insight into the economic calculations that influence casting decisions. He explained that while he might have been able to include Ghanaian actors in guest appearances, the financial investment required wouldn’t have been justified given the limited roles available.
“If I were to bring them in as guest appearances, it would not be worth my while economically, flying down there and taking them when locally, I can have bigger names position themselves for it,” he explained.
Despite the controversies, Jim Iyke was clear in his appreciation for Ghanaian acting talent. He spoke enthusiastically about previous collaborations, noting that Ghanaian actors’ “super talents” helped elevate his performance and motivated him through their “sheer brilliance.”
The Call for Unity
Jim Iyke’s most passionate plea was for industry professionals to move beyond personal conflicts and focus on collective success. “Can we have a common ground where we say, Fuck our personal lives, let’s focus on the ball. As a collective, we move,” he urged, advocating for a united approach that prioritizes industry growth over individual grievances.
The actor believes that unified action could compel industry leaders and investors to take African entertainment more seriously. “If they (Ghanaians) learned the principle and power behind consensus, they would not have messed up that collaboration,” he argued.
Jim Iyke’s frank discussion serves as both an explanation and a challenge to the West African entertainment industry. While his comments may be controversial, they illuminate real structural problems that limit opportunities for talented performers across the region, creating an opportunity for meaningful dialogue about the future of cross-border collaboration in African cinema.