Nigerian actor Sanusi Izihaq, popularly known as Apa, has revealed that his continued presence in the Nollywood industry is largely due to the unwavering support of fellow actor Ibrahim Chatta.
During an interview with actress Biola Bayo on the ‘Talk to B’ podcast, Apa opened up about the difficulties he encountered in the film industry, including moments that nearly drove him to quit.
Acknowledging Chatta’s encouragement, Apa shared, “A big shoutout to Ibrahim Chatta. If not for him, I would have left Nollywood. There was a time when a director who had never worked with me before, but had only heard about me, vowed to make things difficult for me. I was eager to work with him, but the situation became tense, and I found myself in a toxic work environment. I got emotional and started crying.”
He further recounted how Chatta found him in distress on multiple occasions and provided reassurance. “Ibrahim Chatta has seen me crying two or three times and always asked what was wrong. Whenever I told him I was ready to leave the industry, he encouraged me to stay. On three separate occasions, I walked away from filmmaking, but each time, he called me back to work on his projects to ensure I didn’t give up,” Apa said.
His story highlights the importance of mentorship and support within Nollywood, with Ibrahim Chatta playing a significant role in keeping his passion for acting alive.
