I wanted to be a pilot before acting found me — Saka

Actor and academic, Hafiz Oyetoro, popularly known as Saka, tells VERA ALKALI about the different facets of his career, and other issues

You are widely known as Saka, but before the fame and recognition, who was Hafiz Oyetoro?

I am from Adegbola village in Iseyin Local Government Area of Oyo State. At age nine, I was brought back to Iseyin to start my primary education at Baptist Day School, Koso, Iseyin, before proceeding to Koso Community Grammar School, Iseyin. I later attended the University of Ife, now Obafemi Awolowo University, Ile-Ife, before proceeding to the University of Ibadan for my master’s degree and, afterwards, my PhD. Presently, I am a Senior Lecturer at the Lagos State University of Education, where I head the Department of Theatre Arts. I am married with children, and I thank God for a very successful marriage.

What initially attracted you to acting and theatre?

Actually, I wanted to become a pilot. My parents were farmers, and whenever I visited them in the village, I would see aeroplanes moving across the sky, and I would ask my father, “Daddy mi, kini eleyi?” meaning, “Daddy, what is this?” He would say it was “balu”, the Yoruba pronunciation of aeroplane, and that only very important government people travelled in it. I told him that one day, I would also travel in one. At some point, I decided that instead of being a passenger, I would rather be the pilot.

I held on to that ambition until I got to secondary school, where I excelled in Physics, Chemistry and Biology. However, I was also a member of the dramatic arts club, and I developed an interest in acting, partly inspired by watching actors on television. When I graduated from secondary school, I joined Akewebede Theatre, a professional group in Iseyin, and we performed around the town. That was when I changed my mind, having realised that I was good at acting and theatre practice.

The name Saka has become almost inseparable from your identity. How exactly did the character come about?

When I was in Ibadan, my friend, Gbenga Oyedapo, encouraged me to relocate to Lagos, and I eventually joined him there. We scouted for opportunities for almost a year. Together, we had an idea for a drama-comedy series, which we pitched to our friends— Mr Greg Odutayo and his wife— who were producers that had the equipment and resources. We went ahead to produce it.

I played the role of Saka, while my friend played Sule. The title of the television series was ‘House Apart’. At a point, it became very popular. In fact, it was the second most-watched comedy after ‘Papa Ajasco’ at the time. Because of that, the character, Saka, became popular alongside the show, and that was how I got the name.

Did you ever imagine that the character would eventually become bigger than the role itself?

I never imagined it; I just played my part. Theatre practice during my time was driven by passion. As a matter of fact, I was not paid for the first 26 episodes of the show. I was doing it because I loved acting; it was the only thing I could see myself doing. Whenever I was on screen or on stage, I always felt so free. Because of that passion, it wasn’t really difficult for us. I never thought it would become this big. I thank God for that.

Your “I don port” campaign became one of the most memorable advertising campaigns in Nigeria. What was it like when that campaign suddenly made you even more recognisable across the country?

It felt like I played pool and won the jackpot. I felt so grateful and useful. Let me clarify something, though. People believed I was an ambassador for Etisalat before MTN “snatched” me, but I was never officially an ambassador for Etisalat. I was working as a model for an agency handling the Etisalat account, and I featured in a campaign called Centre Spread. When it became popular, they made it a monthly campaign, but my contract was only for three months.

After it expired, Centre Spread pitched the idea of making me an official Etisalat ambassador, but Etisalat declined, even after my producer personally made the case to them. So, officially, I never had a written agreement with Etisalat.

However, one advert we did caught the attention of MTN, and about three months later, they reached out. That was how I became MTN’s ambassador. That singular opportunity catapulted me into stardom, and I want to thank God and MTN, because I know there are many other talented, even funnier, actors out there, but God opened that door for me.

Looking back today, what do you think made the campaign resonate so strongly with Nigerians?

The concept of porting itself, and the secrecy MTN maintained around the campaign, made it a shock to many Nigerians who already associated me strongly with Etisalat. Some saw it as betrayal, while some called it greed, but many didn’t understand the technicality. Porting simply means retaining your existing number while switching networks; you don’t lose your line or contacts.

Beyond the concept, the content of the advert also played a part. I didn’t write the song; I only mimed to it. I’m not a trained dancer; I simply improvised my steps. So, really, what made it resonate was the grace of God upon it.

You have been part of the Nigerian entertainment industry for many years. What major changes have you witnessed in Nollywood from your early days until now?

A lot has changed. First, the quality of production, camera work, picture and aesthetics have improved tremendously because of technological advancement. Second, the economic benefits have changed. These days, actors and theatre practitioners earn millions of naira, own cars and build houses. The job has become sustainable as a real career.

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In our days, there was no money; only passion. Technical quality wasn’t as advanced, but commitment came first. Today, money often takes priority, which is why many modern productions focus less on moral messaging and more on entertainment and profit.

During the days of pioneers like Duro Ladipo and Hubert Ogunde, films carried strong messages, but today, entertainment takes centre stage over morals. Still, both eras achieved one thing: entertaining, informing and enlightening the public.

As a theatre arts scholar, I have played nearly every kind of role on stage, including as a solo performer for almost eight years after my first degree. Comedy eventually became my strongest niche, which is why producers and directors now mostly approach me for comic roles. However, I would like to try more tragic roles to draw on that background again.

Is there a particular role or type of character you have not played yet but would still love to explore?

Many people believe I can only play comic roles, but that’s not true. In school, I played all kinds of roles before comedy became dominant. I would love the opportunity to play a very tragic role that changes public perception of me.

It would take some work, though, because psychologically, people already expect to laugh the moment they see me on the stage or screen. That mindset needs to shift first, but yes, I genuinely want to explore a tragic role.

What part of your journey do you think the public rarely gets to see?

The grace of God. There are many actors far more talented than I am, but God gives grace to whom He chooses. Beyond that, I am a trained practitioner. All my degrees are in theatre, which gives me an added advantage. I can write, dance, direct, teach and consult on productions, so even outside acting, I am always engaged with theatre in some form.

Discipline has also mattered a lot. If a call time is set for 5pm, I am there by 5pm, and if I cannot make it, I inform the production team early and apologise. Humility matters too. If my student is now a producer calling me to work on his set, I give him the respect his position commands.

I am also fairly reserved and don’t mount pressure on set. My home front is well managed too. I have been married for 23 years, and it has been a successful union. I always tell people that the greatest mistake a man can make is marrying someone who doesn’t share his vision. My wife shares mine, so I never have issues at home that affect my work.

Beyond humility and discipline, I don’t drink alcohol, and as a lecturer, I see myself as a role model. I also want to appreciate the press because you have never written anything negative about me, and that has contributed to my continued relevance today, by the grace of God.

Beyond making people laugh, what do you believe your work has contributed to society?

As a theatre arts lecturer for 25 years, I have impacted many students who are now successful theatre practitioners, businessmen and respected members of society.

Comedy heals. Making people laugh has been one of my biggest contributions, and it has also helped me personally navigate difficult family moments. During my years doing one-man shows, I often incorporated social and political commentary, which informed and educated people at different levels.

As an actor, I have also helped generate income for producers and directors, contributing to employment and the broader economic value of the creative industry in Nigeria. Medically speaking, laughter is medicine, so in some way, I have contributed to people’s wellbeing too.

What would you still like to achieve that you haven’t yet?

Human beings are insatiable. Once you hit one target, you naturally set another. I have not won an Oscar, and I want to go international. I consider myself a popular actor, but I want to become a celebrated international actor and a global celebrity. I have done a few small international projects, but I am praying for the grace to break fully into that space.

If the curtains closed on your acting career today, what would you want people to remember about you?

I want to be remembered as a total theatre practitioner who gave his best and left the rest for the world to judge. I want to be remembered as a good tutor and lecturer who impacted his students positively, as the most disciplined actor who never failed in his marriage, and as a father and family man, from beginning to end.

Above all, I want to be remembered as someone who put God first in everything he did.