By Joshua Tosin Ogunsakin 
Seasoned Actor Saheed Balogun has shed light on why he has recently been associating with politicians, explaining that his engagement is driven by a desire to better understand Nigeria’s governance system and to encourage political awareness among citizens.
Speaking in an interview on TVC News’ Saturday Breakfast, Balogun revealed that he was among the first actors to openly associate with politicians during the 2023 elections. He noted that his support for President Bola Tinubu was motivated by trust and personal conviction.
“In 2023, I’m one of the first actors that mingles with the politicians because my late sister, Suleymane Adediji, and Laiba Lugmu, they’re into politics. But when I did for Asiwaju Bola Tinubu in 2023, I did it for, well, all these people are seen. Who do you know? Who do you trust? I said, let’s go. Thank God he won,” Balogun said.
He further explained that following the elections, he recognised that one of Nigeria’s core challenges is the lack of proper orientation among its citizens.
“We need to know about a lot of things. Who is the government? You are the government. I am the government. We need to ask questions. If we have orientation about this country—what led to our problem, and if the man trying to fix it is doing the right thing—not just looking for a miracle worker,” he said.
Balogun also stated that his engagement with political figures forms part of a personal effort to understand pressing national issues, including subsidy removal and its consequences.
“I saw a graduate, and I was discussing subsidy. He doesn’t even know what subsidy is all about. Once they remove subsidy, the money made, how it’s going to be spent, he doesn’t know. All he knows is, ‘I am hungry. Rice last year was ₦50,000; this year is ₦80,000.’ We need to know about our country and what is going on,” he noted.
When asked if he plans to enter politics himself, Balogun responded that he would only consider it if it is his divine calling.
“If it is my calling, I will,” he concluded.