ENTERTAINMENT | NIGERIA | OCTOBER 18, 2026

Veteran Nollywood actress Omotola Jalade-Ekeinde has criticised what she describes as a growing culture of begging and entitlement in Nigeria, urging people to seek ways to support themselves rather than routinely depend on others for financial assistance.

The actress made the remarks during a recent episode of Activating Success with Love Idoko, where she argued that people at different income levels face personal needs and challenges, and that financial difficulty should not automatically create an expectation that others must provide for them.

What Omotola said

According to reports published on October 17 and 18, Omotola said some Nigerians take opportunities for granted and behave as though other people are obligated to meet their needs.

She stated that everyone has responsibilities and personal challenges, regardless of their financial standing. She also argued that people should identify the value they can offer and pursue legitimate ways to earn a living.

The actress said she did not encourage begging under ordinary circumstances, although she acknowledged that desperate, life-threatening situations could justify asking others for help.

She also warned against approaching people with a sense of entitlement, arguing that repeated demands for assistance could undermine a person's dignity and self-worth.

Her central message was that asking for help should not become a substitute for personal initiative, where a person has a realistic opportunity to work or contribute value.

The wider Nigerian context: self-reliance versus economic hardship

Omotola’s comments raise a broader question about personal responsibility, financial dependence and the pressures facing Nigerians.

For some people, asking for money has become a familiar part of their social interactions, including requests to friends, relatives, acquaintances and public figures. Social media has also made it easier for individuals to seek financial support from large audiences.

However, begging does not always arise from entitlement. Nigeria’s economic difficulties, unemployment, rising living costs and limited access to reliable social support can leave people genuinely struggling to meet basic needs. In such circumstances, seeking help may be an essential means of survival rather than a refusal to work.

The distinction matters: there is a difference between exploiting people's generosity and asking for assistance because of genuine hardship.

Omotola's remarks are her personal assessment of a social trend. The reports reviewed do not provide national data establishing that begging has increased across Nigeria or showing how widespread an alleged culture of entitlement may be.

What her comments mean

• Personal responsibility: Her message encourages people to look for opportunities, develop useful skills and consider how they can earn an income.
• Boundaries in relationships: Her comments may resonate with people who feel pressured by repeated requests for money from friends, relatives or acquaintances.
• The role of compassion: Her acknowledgement of life-threatening situations recognises that there are circumstances in which people need urgent support.
• The limits of individual effort: Encouraging people to work is important, but meaningful employment opportunities, affordable training and access to basic necessities also matter.

A balanced interpretation recognises both sides: people should avoid treating others as automatic sources of money, while society should not stigmatise people who need help because of circumstances beyond their control.

Note:

Omotola Jalade’s remarks have brought attention to a sensitive issue in Nigerian society: where should the line be drawn between asking for help and developing a sense of entitlement?

Her call for self-reliance is a reminder that people can seek ways to create value and improve their circumstances. But genuine hardship should not be dismissed, and asking for assistance should not automatically be treated as a character flaw.

Ultimately, a healthier society needs both personal responsibility and compassion—encouraging people to become more self-reliant while ensuring that those facing genuine emergencies are not abandoned.

Sources and further reading

The Sun Nigeria — Begging has become a culture in Nigeria – Omotola Jalade