He is one of Nigeria’s most recognisable faces.
The laughter, the energy, the unforgettable “I don port o” MTN advert that shifted culture and became a national moment.
But behind the comedy is a man who has lived many lives.
In this emotional episode of WithChude, Afeez Oyetoro, widely known as Saka, opens up like never before. This is not just a story of fame. It is a story of struggle, resilience, and quiet strength.
He shares what it was like growing up in difficult circumstances. How being constantly beaten by his uncle turned him into a loner, a boy who learned early how to be alone with his thoughts.
He reflects on his journey as both an actor and a lecturer. For Saka, teaching is not just a job. It is a calling. Acting brings him joy, but the classroom brings him fulfilment.
And then there is love.
Saka talks about the one decision that changed his life more than any career milestone ever could — marrying his wife.
“That’s the best decision I’ve ever made,” he says.
He also opens up about how one advert changed everything.
The MTN commercial took him from being that funny man to a cultural icon. But it came with unexpected pressure and public expectations.
Saka shares stories that show the other side of fame.
How someone once told him he was wasting his life in theatre and should go do something useful.
How a woman refused to marry him because he didn’t own two cars.
How people assumed he was an Etisalat ambassador, when he was only a model in a magazine spread.
“I wanted to go for Glo,” he says, “but I was afraid. If I breached the contract, maybe I’d still be in prison today.”
He talks about losing his hair — not to age, but to a university stage role that required him to shave it all off. It never grew back.
And now, at this stage of his life, he jokes that he got married at 40, and now pays school fees with grey hair.
To those who say he is quiet or snubs them, he responds, “Once I leave the stage or camera, I’m not the same Afeez. I’m a little reserved.”
This is a powerful story about love, purpose, pain, and peace.
It is about finding meaning not just in fame, but in family.
Watch Excerpt : https://www.withchude.com/watch/3cc1d2c1-fa56-4fe5-8969-e98ab89de6b3
