How role in Aníkúlápó Season 2 stretched me — Oyindamola Sanni

Rising Nollywood actress and producer, Oyindamola Sanni, has opened up on her evolving career, her experience as a returning cast member in ‘Aníkúlápó: The Ghoul Awakens’, and her long-term ambitions within Nigeria’s film industry.

Sanni, who has continued to expand her footprint both on streaming platforms and digital media, revealed that she has remained active on multiple fronts. “I am an actor and a producer,” she said, noting that she recently worked on film projects for her YouTube channel as well as a Netflix production.

Speaking on her return to Kunle Afolayan’s epic fantasy series, Sanni described the experience as deeply fulfilling. She reprised her role as “Olatorera” in the highly anticipated second season and highlighted the strong working relationships on set.

“I enjoyed a great experience and working relationship on Aníkúlápó Season Two. Working with Sola Sobowale, who played my mum, was very special. We catch up a lot and she is one of my mentors.”

She also praised Afolayan, describing the collaboration as both “great and awesome.”

Sanni’s character, Olatorera, is seen as one of the emotional anchors of the story. Describing it, the actress said, “Olatorera is a lover girl and she never learns. No slacking and no dulling. I’m a lover girl in real life too; that’s me,” she said with a laugh.

She also noted that one of the standout elements of her performance in the new season was speaking Portuguese, a challenge she admitted initially seemed daunting. According to her, the language requirement involved extended scenes that demanded fluency and confidence.

“When Uncle Kunle asked if I could speak Portuguese, I said no, though I could speak a bit of Spanish. I had to download an app and really put in the work to learn the language,” she quipped.

The effort paid off, she said, as audiences responded positively. “I’m happy it came out well and fans loved it. I expect viewers to love the new season and see Olatorera as the lover girl who is also ambitious, just like her mum, Awarun.”

Looking ahead, Sanni said she envisions a future where Nollywood continues to rise globally, with her playing an active role in that growth. She said, “I see Nollywood becoming the largest film industry in the world. I see myself owning a film studio, becoming a household name, impacting lives through storytelling and creating opportunities for people.”

She also expressed a desire to collaborate with some of the industry’s biggest names, including Funke Akindele and Kemi Adetiba, while expanding her work to larger screens.

She added, “I am very particular about the stories I tell. They must be fascinating.”