Ayo Mafoluku, popularly known as Ayo Maff in the music industry, revealed that acting has long been a secondary passion as he made his debut on the big screen. Speaking at the NECLive 2025 panel on Funding the Creative Enterprise Ecosystem, he said shooting music videos over the years inspired him to explore film. “I wanted to see myself in a movie,” he explained. “I was happy to take this role and embrace the opportunity.”
The panel, moderated by Gbemi Olateru-Olagbegi, highlighted key considerations for creatives seeking to protect and monetize their work. Ayo’s experience reflects the broader theme of the discussion, which emphasized financial planning, legal protection, and risk management as essential foundations for any creative career.
Ayo’s transition from music to acting comes as part of a growing trend of multidisciplinary artists in Nigeria. His debut signals an expanding creative landscape where musicians, actors, and filmmakers increasingly cross traditional industry boundaries, supported by better financing structures and professional guidance.
