Nollywood actor Uzor Arukwe has explained why he cannot speak Yoruba fluently despite spending his childhood in Lagos, attributing the challenge to the environment in which he was raised.
The actor made this known during an interview on CreativiTea with Linda, where he revealed that he grew up in Festac Town, an area where many of his neighbours were of Igbo descent.
According to Arukwe, his childhood surroundings limited his regular interaction with Yoruba speakers, making it difficult for him to develop fluency in the language.
Although he understands Yoruba to some extent, the actor admitted that he lacks the confidence to speak it fluently.
“I grew up in Festac. That’s where all the Igbo people are. That’s why I can’t speak Yoruba. I understand to some extent. But yes, I grew up in Festac, and all my neighbours have always been Igbos,” he said.
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His explanation has brought attention to how one’s upbringing and social environment can influence language acquisition, even when growing up in a culturally diverse city like Lagos.
In a related development, Arukwe’s manager, Mautin Tairu, popularly known as Mr M, recently acknowledged concerns about the actor’s frequent portrayal of loud or stereotypical Igbo characters in some Nollywood productions.
Tairu made the admission while responding to an X user, R. Ekpedeme, who suggested that the actor should take a break from such roles.
The manager admitted that he had also shared similar feelings at some point. However, he explained that managing an actor’s career often involves making business decisions that may not always reflect personal preferences.
Arukwe remains a familiar face in Nollywood, with his performances and character portrayals continuing to generate conversations among movie fans.
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