Actor Afeez Oyetoro, also known as Saka, has acknowledged the significant role his wife plays in helping him balance his acting career and lecturing responsibilities.
Speaking with the Punch, he credited effective time management as a key factor in his success. Instead of spending leisure time at the pub like some of his colleagues, Saka utilizes it for more productive pursuits. Being a civil servant, most of his filming takes place on weekends or holidays, a fact well-known to Nigerian producers.
According to the film legend, their mutual understanding creates a harmonious home environment, allowing him to pursue his endeavors with peace of mind and find time to relax.
He said, “I teach and I am also involved in theatre but I have been able to manage my time. The time some of my colleagues use at the beer parlour, I use mine for other productive things. Secondly, most producers in Nigeria know that I am a civil servant and as a result, most of my shooting takes place on weekends or during the holidays.
“Also, I have a very good wife who takes good care of me. I always tell people that the best thing that can happen to a man is for him to get a wife who shares in his vision. My wife and I understand each other very well so that there is no problem at home. I have rest of mind in all that I am doing, and I also have time to rest.”
Speaking on which of his career path is more rewarding for him, Saka said both his acting and teaching careers are rewarding in different ways. He added that they are both similar too.
He said, “Rewarding is relative. As a teacher, I feel fulfilled because a lot of people have passed through me and that is a lifetime value. I have been in academics for almost 30 years. Recently, I went somewhere in Abuja to see someone I lectured and I was treated well. So, being a lecturer is rewarding, and it might not (necessarily) be financial. Being an actor is also rewarding financially and I enjoy it.
“I believe that both a teacher and an actor are the same. While the teacher is teaching in class, an actor is teaching outside the class. Now, in terms of the reward, acting is financially more rewarding. However, teaching is more valued. I can count a number of people that have passed through me and are doing well.”
In addition, the actor said he tries to move with time and remain relevant by following the current trends. He noted that he is active on social media platforms and that even if he would lose his relevance, following any negative trend was not an option for him.