In an unprecedented public statement that has sent shockwaves through Nigeria’s entertainment industry, Emeka Rollas, National President of the Actors Guild of Nigeria (AGN), has directly called out several prominent Nollywood veterans for their silence regarding actress Regina Daniels’ alleged substance abuse issues.
The explosive statement, released via Rollas’ Instagram page, comes amid what he describes as mounting pressure and “many allegations, misconceptions, and unnecessary accusations” surrounding an ongoing crisis involving Daniels, her mother Rita Daniels, and her husband, Senator Ned Nwoko.
In a rare move that breaks the industry’s traditional code of silence, Rollas specifically identified five senior colleagues who he claims witnessed the troubled actress’s alleged drug use firsthand during a recent film production. Those named include veteran actors Jide Kosoko, Sanni Danji, Okey Bakassi, Charles Inojie, and actress Chinyere Wilfred.
“You were all on set during the last production in question. You saw things firsthand, regarding Regina and we all know she needs help,” Rollas wrote, his frustration palpable in the carefully worded statement.
The AGN president expressed exasperation at what he characterized as the silent complicity of senior guild members who have allowed him to bear the brunt of public criticism alone. “Your silence is unfair, and it leaves me exposed to attacks for matters I did not create,” he stated.
Rollas’ statement reveals deeper tensions within Nollywood’s power structure. He disclosed that Senator Nwoko serves as Chairman of the AGN’s Board of Patrons, while both Regina Daniels and her mother Rita hold membership positions within the organization — a detail that adds layers of complexity to the unfolding drama.
“For years, the Board of Trustees has allowed me to stand at the frontline of battles, while they protect their reputations from behind,” Rollas wrote, suggesting a pattern of senior figures avoiding controversy while leaving him to manage public fallout.
The guild president emphasized that his decision to speak publicly was driven by responsibility to himself, the organization, and the Nigerian public. “I owe it to myself, to the Guild and to the public to speak the truth clearly and responsibly,” he declared.
As of press time, none of the named actors have publicly responded to Rollas’ allegations. The nature of the “ongoing crisis” between the Daniels family and Senator Nwoko remains unclear, though social media users have been actively tagging Rollas in discussions about the matter, apparently demanding his intervention or comment.
The statement raises serious questions about duty of care within Nigeria’s film industry and whether senior practitioners have a responsibility to intervene when younger colleagues may be struggling with substance abuse issues.
This story highlights ongoing concerns about mental health and substance abuse support systems within Nollywood, Africa’s second-largest film industry by volume. Industry observers are now watching closely to see whether the named veterans will break their silence and what consequences, if any, Rollas may face for his unprecedented public disclosure.
WHAT YOU SHOULD KNOW
Emeka Rollas, president of Nigeria’s Actors Guild, has publicly accused five prominent Nollywood veterans—Jide Kosoko, Okey Bakassi, Charles Inojie, Chinyere Wilfred, and Sanni Danji—of remaining silent despite witnessing actress Regina Daniels’ alleged substance abuse on set.
Frustrated by being left to face public criticism alone while senior guild members stay quiet, Rollas broke industry protocol by naming those who saw “things firsthand” and insists “we all know she needs help.” The controversy is complicated by the fact that Regina’s husband, Senator Ned Nwoko, chairs the AGN’s Board of Patrons, while both Regina and her mother are guild members.
