Nollywood actor Benedict Johnson has opened up about what he described as one of the most difficult seasons of his professional life, revealing that he went five years without landing a single movie role.
The actor shared his testimony during a service at Streams of Joy International, led by Pastor Jerry Eze, where he detailed how the prolonged silence from filmmakers tested both his faith and resilience.
“For five good years as a seasoned actor, I never had any job to do,” Johnson said. “Our industry is not like employment where you can walk up to your director and ask what happened. This one, silently, nobody calls you for a job.”
According to him, the lack of roles forced deep reflection. With no formal termination or explanation, he said the rejection came quietly but persistently.
“In five years, I had no job to do. I kept believing in God,” he added.
At the height of the drought, Johnson made a decision that surprised some of his colleagues. He relocated to Abuja to participate physically in the church’s prayer programmes, particularly the New Season Prophetic Prayers and Declarations.
“I was following online, but I said to myself I would come to Abuja so I could see Pastor Jerry every Sunday, watch him, stay with him, stare in his face and ask God to bless me through him,” he said.
The move, he disclosed, was discouraged by peers who warned that Abuja was not a film production hub.
“Some of my colleagues said, ‘Benedict, Abuja is not a film place. If you go to Abuja, nobody will call you.’ I said, ‘Don’t worry,’ and I came down here.”
Johnson said the tide turned dramatically in 2026. “This year alone, I have done twelve jobs already. We did 21 days of fasting and prayers this January, and I was right here praying.”
He further revealed that his resurgence has extended beyond Nigeria. “As I speak to you right now, by next week, I am going to Germany and America to make a movie. I intend to return all the glory to God.”
His account highlights the unpredictable nature of the entertainment industry, where career slowdowns often come without warning. For Johnson, the silence that lasted half a decade has now given way to renewed visibility and international opportunities.
