DESMOND WALTER ORIAKHI: My Journey as an Actor & Producer

In an interview, Desmond Walter Oriakhi discussed how his passion for storytelling as a youngster led him to pursue acting and film production in Nollywood. He is committed to creating a legacy of identifying and nurturing African talent for the international entertainment business. There are producers who just make films, performers who just portray roles, and directors who view entertainment as a chance to develop people, provide possibilities, and leave a lasting legacy. Passion, tenacity, faith, and an unshakeable conviction in the power of narrative have all contributed to Desmond Walter Oriakhi’s journey.

Desmond, a proud son of Benin City, Edo State, Nigeria, has worked as an actor and movie producer in the larger Nollywood business after leaving the realm of regional Benin-language movies. But his aspirations go much beyond his own notoriety. He aspires to be one of the filmmakers who will find, nurture, and elevate artists in many entertainment-related fields, eventually bringing African talent to the global arena.

THE BOY WHO LOVED STORIES

Desmond’s passion for entertainment began long before he considered becoming an actor. Growing up in Benin City, in an area between Second and Third East Circular, he developed a strong fascination with storytelling. One of the earliest influences on his imagination was the Bible story taught in primary school. He remembers being fascinated by the illustrations and stories of biblical characters, particularly stories such as Samson and the lion. For Desmond, those stories were more than lessons.

They served as inspiration, amusement, and creativity. His passion of stories, which later led him into acting, grew out of that early curiosity. He unintentionally prepared himself for the craft even at home. He used to watch television shows with his parents when he was younger, and later on, while doing housework, he would find himself reciting commercials and news reports nearly verbatim. Occasionally, his mother would enquire as to whether he had committed what he had heard on TV the nite before to memory. In retrospect, Desmond feels that his early life circumstances unintentionally prepared him for one of the most crucial abilities needed by an actor: the capacity to recall and deliver lines.

HOW DESMOND WALTER ORIAKHI BECAME AN ACTOR

Desmond did not initially set out with a clear plan to become an actor. His entry into acting came through someone whose work he had watched and admired. After meeting the person, Desmond expressed his interest in acting and was invited to attend rehearsals for a local Benin film group. That first experience changed everything. He became increasingly involved with the group, attending their regular meetings and rehearsals. Eventually, he was given an opportunity to perform. He did well. That small opportunity became the beginning of a larger journey.

Desmond says it was a memorable experience to receive his first role in the Benin film business. Even though there weren’t many sequences in the part, he was thrilled about the chance. He remembers having the impression that he had won the entire world. More significantly, he learned from the experience to be committed to his passions. People started identifying him and told him they had seen him on screen after the film. He was inspired to take the trade even more seriously by such acknowledgement.

FROM ACTING TO MOVIE PRODUCTION

After establishing himself as an actor, Desmond eventually expanded his career into movie production. According to him, becoming a producer was a natural progression from his experience in front of the camera. He began receiving opportunities to produce films for others, and his passion for the work quickly became evident. The response from people he worked with encouraged him to continue. After completing productions, clients would commend his work and ask him to produce additional projects. For Desmond, those reactions became confirmation that he had found another important part of his calling. Today, he does not want to be known simply as someone who makes movies. His bigger dream is to become a filmmaker who raises artists and creates opportunities for talents across different portfolios of the entertainment industry.

HIS APPROACH TO ACTING: “I Read the Script Like 10 Times”

Desmond takes preparation seriously. When he receives a script, he says he can read it as many as ten times before stepping onto a set. His objective is not simply to memorize lines but to understand the complete story, the character and the role that character plays within the narrative. But there is another important part of his preparation. Once he arrives on set, he seeks out the director and asks how the director sees his character. For example, if he is playing a character named Michael, he wants to know how the director interprets Michael.

Sometimes, the director’s interpretation differs from his own understanding of the character. Rather than seeing this as a problem, Desmond uses the information to rethink his approach. That process allows him to adjust his performance and align his acting with the director’s overall vision. For him, acting is therefore a collaborative process between the script, the actor and the director.

WHEN SUCCESS COMES WITH RESISTANCE

Desmond’s journey has not been without challenges. One of his most difficult experiences came during his early years as an actor. He recalls experiencing rejection and disrespect from people who, according to him, did not initially take him seriously. The experience became even more pronounced when he began working alongside established Nollywood stars. On some occasions, he says, he would approach more experienced actors to rehearse scenes together, only to feel ignored or underestimated. But something interesting would happen once the cameras started rolling.

After working through two or three scenes, some of those same actors would recognize his ability and compliment his performance. For Desmond, those moments became reminders that ability eventually speaks for itself. His experience also shaped his personality. He describes himself as someone who does not forget how people treat him. The lesson appears to have strengthened his determination to prove himself through his work rather than through arguments.

A PRODUCER’S LESSON IN TRUST

Desmond also experienced serious challenges after moving into movie production. During one period of producing films in Benin City, he relied heavily on people from his own community. Because of the familiarity and trust between them, he believed he could depend on members of his crew to handle certain financial responsibilities. However, according to Desmond, some of those people failed to pay individuals they were supposed to pay and instead left him responsible for the outstanding debts. He eventually had to personally settle the affected payments. The experience taught him an important lesson about professionalism, accountability and business. Trust, he learned, must be accompanied by proper systems and accountability.

HIS MESSAGE TO THE NIGERIAN FILM INDUSTRY

When asked what the Nigerian film industry needs to do to compete more effectively internationally, Desmond’s response is straightforward: Know the job and do it right. For him, professionalism begins with understanding the responsibilities attached to each role. Directors should understand directing. Producers should understand production. Actors should understand acting. And everyone should understand the ethics of the profession.

He is particularly passionate about the welfare and dignity of actors and other entertainment professionals. Desmond believes filmmakers should not exploit people simply because they are working in an industry where opportunities can be difficult to find. For him, international competitiveness is not only about better cameras, bigger productions or global distribution. It is also about professionalism, ethics, respect and doing the work properly.

HIS FAITH IS AT THE CENTRE OF HIS LIFE

Beyond his career, Desmond identifies his Christian faith as one of the major values guiding his decisions. He believes his relationship with Jesus Christ reminds him of who he is and what he is meant to become. For him, success is not simply about becoming famous. It is about fulfilling the purpose he believes God has placed before him. That faith continues to influence his decisions as both an actor and filmmaker.

THE PRIVATE MAN BEHIND THE PUBLIC WORK

Despite working in an industry built around public visibility, Desmond Walter describes himself as a very private person. He is not particularly interested in being constantly visible online. His work may be loud because entertainment naturally lives on television, cinema and the internet, but he personally prefers a quieter life. He enjoys staying indoors and spending time alone. This contrast between the public nature of his profession and his private personality is one of the lesser-known aspects of Desmond Walter Oriakhi. He may be building a public career, but he does not necessarily want his entire personal life to become public property.

HIS DREAM: TAKING AFRICAN TALENT TO THE WORLD

Desmond’s ambition extends beyond Nigeria. One of his biggest dreams is to bring African talents together with international actors and create opportunities that allow African performers to compete and collaborate on a global level. In the next five to ten years, he hopes to be involved in discovering and bringing African stars into the international entertainment industry. For him, the future is not only about becoming successful himself. It is about creating a pathway for others.

ACTORS ARE NOT BEGGARS

Perhaps one of Desmond’s strongest statements about his desired legacy concerns the dignity of actors. He wants to leave behind what he describes as a “blueprint” for the Nigerian entertainment industry. At the heart of that blueprint is a simple principle; Actors deserve to know their worth and be properly compensated for their work.

Desmond argues that actors perform an extraordinary range of human experiences. In one movie, an actor can become a trader. In another, a lawyer. Then a pastor. A doctor. A mechanic. Or even a villain. For Desmond, this ability to inhabit radically different identities is part of what makes acting such a powerful profession. His message is therefore not merely about payment. It is about recognition, dignity and professional value.

HIS ADVICE TO YOUNG FILMMAKERS AND ACTORS

For young Nigerians dreaming of careers in film and entertainment, Desmond’s advice is built around three things: ¹ Persevere. ² Come prepared. ³ Be prayerful. The entertainment industry can be unpredictable, competitive and difficult to navigate. But Desmond believes persistence and preparation can help young creatives survive the journey. He also strongly emphasizes faith and prayer as part of his own approach to life and career.

THE LEGACY DESMOND WALTER ORIAKHI WANTS TO LEAVE

Ultimately, Desmond’s ambition is larger than becoming a recognized actor or producer. He wants to build. He wants to discover talent. He wants to create opportunities. He wants African performers to enter international spaces. And he wants entertainment professionals to understand their worth. His story from a Benin City boy fascinated by Bible stories, to an actor, to a movie producer with international ambitions is still unfolding.

For Desmond Walter Oriakhi, the destination is not simply fame. It is impact. It is about becoming a filmmaker capable of creating stories, raising talents and leaving behind a blueprint that future generations can follow. And as he signs off to his fans, his message is simple: keep supporting, keep believing and keep praying for him. “I am Desmond Walter Oriakhi, proud Benin boy.” The journey continues.