"Why I Got Married at 40" – Saka Shares His Story

Veteran Nigerian comic actor, Afeez Oyetoro, fondly known as Saka, has opened up about why he chose to marry relatively late in life — at the age of 40. Speaking on the popular show WithChude, the 61-year-old entertainer revealed that a mix of personal struggles and financial hardship early in his career delayed his journey to marriage. “I didn’t have confidence,” he admitted. “It took me a very long time to even know how to approach a woman. I got married late because of two major things: my profession, and my personal limitations.” Saka, known for his lovable roles in both television and film, said his passion for acting began in the theatre — a field that, at the time, offered little to no financial reward.

“There was no money in it. Nobody respected theatre practitioners then. We were just performing because we loved it. Unfortunately, we weren’t taught how to turn that passion into income. We were just acting, surviving on passion alone,” he said. This lack of financial stability, he said, affected his romantic relationships. He recalled one particular woman he had hoped to marry, who bluntly told him to give up theatre and do something “more relevant” with his life. “One lady even told me directly, ‘Afeez, you are wasting your life with this theatre thing.’ Another said she would only marry me if I had two cars. That’s when I knew she wasn’t the one for me,” he shared. Eventually, Saka did find love — and on his own terms. He met his wife, Olaide Oyetoro, while he was in college, and they got married in 2003. Today, they have three children together. Afeez Oyetoro holds a degree in Theatre Arts from Obafemi Awolowo University and also earned a Master’s from the University of Ibadan. Despite the tough beginnings, he has become one of Nigeria’s most respected comic actors, admired for both his humour and his resilience. His story is a testament to patience, purpose, and the power of staying true to one’s passion — even when the road is long