Adeoti, who became Mercy’s husband in January 2022, has been at the center of controversy since his first wife, Funsho Adeoti, publicly accused Mercy of "snatching" him. The claims have fueled discussions on social media and among fans, drawing mixed reactions from the public.
Speaking on Thursday at the National Film and Video Censors Board's (NFVCB) 4th Peace Anyiam-Osigwe (PAO) Nigeria Digital Content Regulation Conference in Lagos, Adeoti addressed these personal controversies. In his statement, he highlighted the challenges of living under public scrutiny as a notable figure in the film industry.
“As a public figure, you cannot really control people’s opinions or the narratives they choose to believe,” he said. “The most important thing is to remain focused, and I believe that in the end, the outcome will justify the means.” Kazim further clarified that his decision to marry a second wife aligns with his Muslim faith, which permits multiple marriages. He noted that despite the backlash, he remains grounded in his faith and focuses on his work in the movie industry, rather than public perception of his personal life.
Beyond addressing his marriage, Adeoti also spoke about the pressing issues within the Yoruba film industry, particularly the challenge of limited funding. Adeoti is an influential figure in Nigeria’s movie sector, and he used the opportunity to discuss what he sees as a significant barrier to producing high-quality Yoruba films: insufficient financial resources.
He emphasized that while the industry has the talent, creativity, and originality needed to tell compelling stories, the lack of adequate funding limits production quality and scale. “I think it is more of a collaboration issue because we have what it takes to shoot good movies. When it comes to the storyline, the originality, telling our real stories and fantastic actors, we have it all,” he said.
However, he explained that financial limitations often prevent filmmakers from realizing the full potential of these stories. “When we do not have the adequate funding, it limits the job. We know how a story should be told and how we want to produce it, but financial constraints sometimes prevent us from executing it at the desired standard,” Kazim explained.
Adeoti’s comments come at a time when Nigeria’s entertainment industry, and particularly its Yoruba segment, is experiencing global attention. However, he believes that for the industry to compete globally, it needs more financial support and investment, especially in an era where digital content is being consumed globally. He advocated for increased collaboration among filmmakers and stakeholders to pool resources, which he believes could help elevate the quality of Yoruba films, ensuring they reach broader audiences and have a lasting cultural impact.
The NFVCB event where Adeoti made his statements served as a platform for digital content creators, filmmakers, and industry stakeholders to discuss the future of Nigeria's film industry. The annual conference, now in its fourth year, is named after Peace Anyiam-Osigwe, a trailblazer in Nollywood who worked tirelessly to promote Nigerian cinema and advocate for digital content regulation.
Kazim Adeoti’s statements have not only shed light on his personal stance but also sparked conversations on the need for collective growth in Nigeria's film industry. His call for more collaboration and funding reflects a broader desire within the industry to overcome financial challenges and continue producing films that resonate with Nigerian and global audiences alike.
