Sierra Leone’s First Lady, Fatima Bio, has hinted at a return to acting, telling filmmakers she’s open to roles if the story is strong enough.
Speaking at the launch of Unpredictable Enemies on 28th May 2026 at Dove Nest, Aberdeen, Freetown, the former Nollywood actress reflected on her film career and what it would take to get her back on set.
Before becoming First Lady, Fatima Bio was based in the UK and built a solid acting portfolio. Her last movie was Mr. Ibu in Sierra Leone. Other films she starred in include 1Battered, Shameful Deceit, Expedition Africa, The Soul, and Mirror Boy.
At the premiere, she stressed quality over quantity. “For me, it is never just about doing a movie. The script has to be good. You cannot make a film that ends up sitting on a shelf. You want to create a film that can reach global platforms like Netflix and showcase our talent to the world,” she said.
She acknowledged the challenges filmmakers face getting films onto global platforms, noting that even in Nollywood many approach her for help. “I know the standards, I know the process, and I know how challenging it can be,” she explained, while praising her colleague for believing in Sierra Leonean stories “with class, professionalism, and excellence.”
The First Lady also put herself forward for a cameo if it helps a project succeed. “If in the future you want me to make even the smallest appearance in one of your films, we can discuss it. If showing my face in your film can help make it bigger and more successful, I am willing to support it,” she said. But she set clear conditions: “The only condition is that the story must be strong and meaningful.” She added that she expects full commitment on set: “When I am on set, I give my all. If I commit to a project, I expect everyone to bring the same level of dedication and professionalism.”
She challenged local creatives to tell authentic Sierra Leonean stories. Paraphrasing her message, she urged writers and producers to invest in scripts that celebrate culture, traditions, costumes and heritage instead of copying others. “Bring us great scripts. Bring us stories that can travel beyond Sierra Leone and reach audiences across Africa and around the world. If you have a script that can achieve that vision, I am ready to work with you and help bring it to life.”
Her remarks have raised hopes among filmmakers that her influence and experience could help transform Sierra Leone’s movie industry and push it toward international platforms.