UK: I Was Washing Dishes; Working in Freezers; You Will Wear 2gloves and Hand Is Still Freezing—Afod

Nigerian actor, singer, filmmaker, director and producer Lanre Afod has recounted the difficult experiences he faced while working in the United Kingdom, revealing how he eventually decided to return to Nigeria after struggling with demanding jobs and harsh working conditions. Afod shared the experience during an interview on Talk To B, aired on Tuesday, October 13, 2026.

The actor, who is the younger brother of veteran Nollywood actor Kunle Afod, explained that his decision to return to the UK was influenced by his multiple-entry visa. However, he said his experience changed significantly when he travelled back to the country on his own. “I now said, let me go back to the UK. I have a multiple-entry visa. I went back to the UK. So, when I went back on my own, it was when I realised all those things that were there, all the packaging, were no more,” Afod said.

The actor explained that he had to accept different kinds of jobs, including work that he described as particularly difficult. He recalled working in various establishments and taking on responsibilities that were far removed from the expectations he had developed during his earlier experience in the country. “So I had to do the regular jobs. I went to auntie space. I was doing all sorts of crazy jobs,” he said.

Afod disclosed that his circumstances eventually forced him to reflect on his situation and question why he was experiencing such difficulties abroad. “The first time you came, the glory was too much. How can you go back to your country? You should be rising. Connect with those people that are connected to you one way or the other. So why should you just come back and now live like a prisoner?” he recounted.

Afod further revealed that some of the jobs he undertook involved washing dishes, working in shops and handling meat and fish. He also described working in extremely cold freezer rooms, where employees had to endure uncomfortable temperatures while carrying out their duties. “I was washing dishes. I worked in a shop where we were cutting meat, cutting fish. If you’re working for what we call Pakistan people, oh my God, the freezer! I was working in a freezer,” he said.

Describing the difficult working conditions, Afod explained that wearing gloves did little to protect his hands from the cold. He also recalled water running from his nose and eyes while supervisors urged workers to increase their pace. “You will wear gloves, maybe two gloves, and your hand is still freezing. Water is coming out of your nose and your eyes like this. And they’ll be shouting, ‘Sharp, sharp, sharp, sharp!’” he added.

The actor said the experience eventually convinced him that remaining in the UK was no longer worthwhile, particularly when he considered the possibility of returning to Nigeria. “One day, I just said, where you came from, even if you go back to Nigeria, the stress cannot be like this. So I just called my mom and said, ‘I am coming back home,’” Afod said.