I Stole Amala to Survive’ — Madam Saje Drops Bombshell

In a heart-wrenching revelation that has sent shockwaves through the Nigerian film industry, veteran Nollywood actress, Fausat Balogun, popularly known as Madam Saje, has opened up on the extreme poverty that nearly derailed her career.

Speaking in a viral interview with The African List on Monday, April 6, 2026, the screen icon confessed that before the glitz and glamour, she was driven to the brink of desperation, including stealing food just to stay alive.

Recounting a particularly grim period during a movie shoot in Oyo State, the veteran actress painted a vivid picture of the hunger that plagued her early years.

“Anyone who says they don’t face challenges in this job is lying,” she stated. “We had a moment where we went to steal food to survive. I remember a place in Oyo State where they sold Amala: you pay in one place and collect soup elsewhere. The little money we had, we would manage to eat.”

The actress, who has now become a household name, revealed that she often returned home “empty-handed” after grueling days on movie sets at various schools, without earning a single kobo for her sweat.

Madam Saje also dropped a shocker regarding her education, admitting she never went beyond primary school because of her obsession with acting. She noted that while this limited her ability to speak fluent English and enter the English-speaking sector of Nollywood, she has been compensated by the “mouthwatering” endorsement deals she signs today.

Offering a stern warning to the younger generation of actors seeking “fast money,” the actress urged them to be patient.

“Don’t be too faster than your destiny; wait for your time. My sufferings have turned to joy. When your time comes, it will be like you did a money ritual,” she added.

The interview has sparked a wave of reactions online, with many fans praising her resilience and honesty as a beacon of hope for struggling entertainers across the country.