Yakubu Wins AGN Presidency Over Rita Daniels

Abubakar Yakubu, the outgoing National Secretary of the Actors Guild of Nigeria (AGN), has been elected President of the Guild, defeating actress Regina Daniels’ mother, Rita Daniels, in a closely contested poll held on Saturday during the Guild’s annual general meeting in Benin, Edo State.

Yakubu secured 116 votes to clinch the top position, narrowly edging out Rita Daniels, who garnered 113 votes. Three ballots were declared invalid, according to election officials. His emergence marks a historic moment for the Guild, making him the first Northern actor to lead the AGN since its establishment in the early 1990s.

The election drew significant attention within Nollywood, given Rita Daniels’ profile as an actress, filmmaker, and mother to Nigerian film star Regina Daniels. Her loss ends months of intense campaigning marked by debates over leadership direction, regional representation, and young actors’ welfare.

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Yakubu, who previously served as National Secretary under outgoing president Emeka Rollas, is expected to begin his tenure immediately. Industry observers say his administrative experience and long-standing involvement in Guild affairs played a key role in securing support across multiple state chapters.

Rita Daniels, who had positioned herself as a reform-driven candidate focused on expanding opportunities for female actors and emerging talents, congratulated Yakubu after the announcement, party insiders said. She has not issued a formal statement yet, but sources within her camp described the election as “competitive, fair, and reflective of the Guild’s democratic spirit.”

The election outcome follows weeks of public commentary sparked by outgoing president Emeka Rollas, who in a recent interview suggested Rita Daniels should focus on her daughter’s well-being instead of contesting the AGN presidency remarks that stirred backlash within parts of the entertainment community. Regina Daniels has not commented publicly on the remark.

Yakubu now faces the task of unifying the Guild after a closely split vote. Key priorities awaiting his administration include strengthening actors’ welfare, improving healthcare access, enhancing security on film sets, and expanding AGN’s presence across Nigeria’s regions.

Stakeholders say the new president will need to bridge the divide between veteran actors and a younger generation seeking stronger representation. Industry figures also stress the need for continuity in ongoing reforms while accelerating digital transformation within the Guild.

The new AGN leadership is expected to release its administrative roadmap in the coming days as Yakubu formally assumes office.