Popular Nollywood actor Timini Egbuson recently opened up about a pivotal moment in his career that, at the time, felt like a major setback but ultimately became a turning point.
Speaking on The Culture League podcast, Timini shared how he narrowly missed the chance to represent Nigeria on Big Brother Africa years ago — an opportunity he thought would catapult him into stardom. He revealed that he had gone through all the necessary auditions and was among the final shortlist of five contestants. They were told to pack their bags and await a final call. Timini even went as far as hiring someone to manage his social media while he was in the house.
But the call never came.
“They didn’t pick me,” he recalled. “I think Tayo went instead. I was disappointed. I had built up so much hope around it.”
However, what seemed like a missed opportunity turned out to be the beginning of something much bigger. That same year, Timini was cast in MTV Shuga Naija, a groundbreaking television series that became the true launchpad for his acting career.
“Looking back, I’m grateful I didn’t go for Big Brother. The hype would probably have died down by now, and I may not have found a solid path in the entertainment industry. But Shuga gave me something lasting,” he said.
Timini reflected on how life often redirects us in unexpected ways. “I’ve come to understand that missed opportunities can sometimes be blessings in disguise. So many times, I wanted certain roles or gigs that went to others, and at the same time, I’ve gotten chances others didn’t. But everything falls into place eventually.”
He added, “Some of the things I thought I wanted back then would have completely taken me off track. Now I see that where I am today is exactly where I’m meant to be. I believe it’s God’s plan.”
With his story, Timini offered a message of hope to anyone facing disappointment: “When things don’t go your way, it’s okay to feel down, but don’t stay there. Pick yourself up, move forward, and trust the process. Sometimes, that ‘no’ is setting you up for the biggest ‘yes’ of your life.”
