Habibat Jinadu says discrimination over her dark skin pushed her to bleach
Veteran Yoruba Nollywood actress Habibat Jinadu has spoken openly about why she lightened her skin, saying years of remarks about her complexion on film sets wore her down.
What she said
In an interview with a BBC Yoruba programme, reported on Thursday, 29 October 2026, Jinadu reportedly said that directors repeatedly complained that she was too dark under the lights on set. She said she did not take the comments to heart at first, until someone compared her to a monkey. She said fair-skinned actors were often preferred for roles when she was building her career, and that people who were not light-skinned were rarely called for jobs. The constant criticism, she said, eventually led her to bleach her skin.
Background
Jinadu has appeared in many Yoruba-language films over the years and is a familiar face to fans of the genre. Skin bleaching is a long-running issue in Nigeria and across Africa, and health experts have repeatedly warned about the dangers of some lightening creams. Other entertainers have spoken in the past about pressure to look a certain way on screen.
How people reacted
Her comments started a wide conversation online. Many users said colourism remains a real problem in the entertainment industry, while others said no one should be made to feel ashamed of their natural skin. Some praised her for speaking honestly about a painful experience.
- Jinadu says directors told her she was too dark for the camera.
- She says fair-skinned actors were favoured for roles.
- Her comments sparked a debate about colourism.
