I became talent manager by marriage – Toyosi Etim Effiong reveals
Nigerian Talent Manager Draws Inspiration from Nollywood Challenges
Toyosi Etim Effiong, the wife of Nigerian actor and filmmaker Daniel Etim Effiong, has shared how her marriage influenced her decision to pursue a career in talent management.
In a recent podcast interview, Mrs. Etim Effiong noted that her husband’s career, along with the broader Nollywood industry, seemed to lack essential structures and legal frameworks.
Drawing on her experience as a show organizer in New York, she set out to implement similar organizational practices within Nollywood, starting with her husband as her first client.
After several months managing his career, other actors began to take notice of the improvements and subsequently reached out for her assistance as well.
“I am married to Daniel Etim Effiong—Nigeria’s finest filmmaker and actor,” Mrs. Etim Effiong said. “Earlier in our marriage, I realized that there wasn’t much structure in his career or in the Nigerian movie industry overall.”
She described a lack of formal processes, where producers often contacted actors informally to discuss availability and fees. “Producers would casually call actors to ask when they would be available for a shoot. When an actor is available, they negotiate fees over the phone as if they were bargaining in a marketplace. It was very informal.”
Mrs. Etim Effiong highlighted further challenges, including last-minute cancellations by producers without adequate explanations. “There was no structure or legal framework, and the negotiations were quite poor,” she added.
To address these issues, she took on the role of a self-appointed manager with her husband’s support, enhancing his social media presence and reviewing contracts. Her efforts yielded immediate results, prompting requests from other actors who sought her management services.
As she continues to shape her career in talent management, Toyosi Etim Effiong underscores the potential for greater professionalism within the Nigerian film industry.
