Omotola Raises Alarm Over Entitlement Mentality, Says Begging Should Be A Last Resort

Veteran Nollywood actress Omotola Jalade Ekeinde has criticised what she described as a growing culture of entitlement and begging in Nigerian society, urging citizens to embrace personal responsibility and seek legitimate ways to meet their needs.

According to Bush Radio Academy, the actress made the remarks during a recent episode of Activating Success With Love Idoko, where she expressed her disapproval of begging except in extreme circumstances involving life and death.

Omotola argued that people should focus on developing their abilities, finding work and contributing value to society rather than relying on others for financial assistance.

She noted that everyone, regardless of their financial status, has personal needs and challenges, stressing that having fewer resources than another person does not automatically justify begging.

“A lot of Nigerians take opportunities for granted. And one thing we have to understand is that nobody owes you anything. Nigerians now have a culture of begging,” she said.

The actress explained that she also has needs that she must work to meet, adding that she could seek assistance from wealthier individuals if she felt entitled to do so. However, she maintained that people should recognise that everyone faces difficulties and must make efforts to overcome them.

“I don’t support or encourage begging. I believe that there is no reason why anybody can’t work. There is something you can do. There is a kind of value you can bring to humanity,” she stated.

Omotola further advised Nigerians to avoid making begging a regular habit, warning that it could undermine their sense of self-worth when driven by entitlement rather than genuine necessity.

She maintained that begging should be considered only as a last resort in desperate situations, particularly where a person’s life or survival is at stake.

“Try as much as you can not to beg and be a nuisance. Begging reduces your own self-worth. If you must beg, let it be in a desperate situation. And don’t do it with entitlement,” she added.

The actress’s comments have drawn attention to ongoing conversations about financial dependence, personal dignity and the importance of self-reliance in a society where many people face economic difficulties.

Her position underscores the need to balance personal responsibility with compassion for people experiencing genuine hardship, while encouraging individuals to explore opportunities to support themselves rather than treating assistance from others as an entitlement.