The Nigerian manufacturer and actor, adebowale Adedayo, popularly known as Mr. Macaroni, has opened a terrible personal experience that left him in bankruptcy and buried in an amazing debt of more than half a billion Naira.
In mail Shared on his Facebook page on Thursday, Macaroni revealed that he was the victim of a scam and a failed investment between 2021 and 2022 that eliminated all his savings.
According to him, the incident marked one of the most challenging periods of his life, but kept him away from public knowledge.
“Everyone knows that I never bring my personal problems to social networks. I just want to share this with my community because I want people to learn from my experience. In addition, a part of me will not rest until I publicly thank God for his grace; therefore, I feel forced to do this,” he wrote.
Reflecting on the toll he took, the comedian said that the financial loss left him shocked, but decided to suffer in silence.
“At some point around 2021/2022 I was a victim of a scam and simultaneously a failed investment that cost me everything I had saved at that time. It shook me deeply, but I didn't tell anyone. If you know me well enough, you would know that I don't like to share my problems.”
He added that his theatrical training instilled in him the spirit of resistance, and maintained public appearances, continuing to entertain despite his internal battles.
“In addition, my training in the theater is that the show must continue. As a theater, I have the duty to continue entertaining, informing, educating and using my art to make society a better place. Therefore, it didn't matter what was what was happening. The show must continue!”
The actor narrated how his financial problems intensified after he began asking for money to fulfill the obligations, assuming that he could easily pay with interests of his profits.
“After losing all the money I had then, the problems began when I had to ask for money from different sources to solve all the pending commitments and also fulfill certain responsibilities that I have always believed that they were mine to fulfill … I felt too comfortable and it took me a long time to realize that I was using the money I was earning to pay the interests. Also my financial impulse did not help.”
Macaroni admitted that his generous nature and his lack of financial discipline worsened the situation.
“I am not perfect. I try to be as honest as possible. I am a financially reckless person.
Despite his belief that he was fulfilling a divine mandate to help others, he admitted that even good intentions must be balanced with responsibility.
“Somehow, I have attributed that to a mandate of God … but I know that even God does not want us to be reckless.”
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He revealed that even when his career shot in 2024 with acclaimed film roles and international projections, he fought against the pressure of the mass debt behind the scene.
“2024 was a turning point for my career as an actor. Two of the films in which I presented were projected at international festivals. My performances in other films released last year also won me numerous recommendations. However, it was also the most worrying year for me. I was overwhelmed every day and the night knowing that I was more than a half of billions of debts.”
The situation worsened when it was betrayed by someone who was deeply trusted, aggravating his emotional anguish.
“The height was when someone whom I have always loved as a friend and sister was betrayed … such was the level of trust and love.”
However, Macaroni said that he finally summoned the strength to rebuild, with the support of family and friends.
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