Osas Ighodaro Recounts Awkward First On-Screen Kiss in Nollywood; Bolaji Aleem Opens Up on Childhood Abuse

Nollywood actress Osas Ighodaro has revealed the shocking experience of her very first on-screen kiss in the Nigerian movie industry.

Speaking during a recent episode of The Culture League podcast, the actress disclosed that her co-star unexpectedly tried to use his tongue during the scene.

Osas, who relocated from the United States to Nigeria in 2012, explained that she was already aware of the kiss in the script but was unprepared for the unprofessional twist.

“My first on-screen kiss in Nigeria took me by surprise. Though I knew the kiss was coming and I was prepared for it, in my experience, you are not supposed to put your tongue down somebody’s mouth. But the person did. On the basic level, if you are going to do an on-screen kiss you talk about it. But if you don’t talk about it, then you know it’s just the basics,” she said.

For Osas, the incident was her first rude shock in Nollywood and an introduction to the blurred boundaries that sometimes exist in the industry.

Meanwhile, in another revelation, Yoruba film actress Bolaji Aleem shared a deeply painful part of her childhood. In an interview with FeelRightNews TV, she disclosed that she was sexually abused by older men while growing up with her grandmother.

Aleem explained that as a child of about nine or ten, men in her neighborhood would lure her into their homes while she worked on the streets. Out of fear and confusion, she never confided in her grandmother, assuming the behavior was “normal.” She said similar attempts occurred as she grew older, but with maturity, she recognized the danger and avoided them.

Opinion:
Both Osas Ighodaro’s and Bolaji Aleem’s stories shine a light on a recurring problem in Nollywood and society at large — the issue of consent and boundaries.

For Osas, what should have been a professional moment on set turned into a personal violation of her space. Acting, like any other career, requires respect and communication, especially when intimate scenes are involved. The absence of that dialogue reflects a deeper problem: a lack of structured guidelines and professionalism in certain areas of Nollywood.

For Bolaji Aleem, her story painfully reminds us of how many children suffer abuse in silence, believing it is “normal” because adults fail to protect them. It is heartbreaking to think of a little girl carrying that burden alone, and her bravery in speaking out now underscores the urgent need for stronger awareness, education, and protection for children.

Ultimately, both accounts demand one thing: respect for boundaries. Whether on a movie set or in everyday life, no one deserves to have their dignity compromised. Nollywood, as a powerful cultural force, must also take responsibility in setting standards that protect its actors — from clear rules on intimate scenes to fostering safer spaces for women and children.

As audiences, we enjoy the glamour of films and the allure of stardom, but behind the camera are real people whose pain must not be ignored. Listening to stories like these is not just gossip; it’s a call for change.