“Residuals Are a Right, Not a Luxury” — Actress Beverly Osu Supports Omotola Jalade in Nollywood Reform Debate
Actress Beverly Osu is breaking the silence and making her voice heard. Recently, she responded to a post by Nollywood icon Omotola Jalade-Ekeinde, who sparked a fresh conversation about the flaws in Nollywood’s system.
Omotola had shared a striking comparison: after just four years and two test projects in Hollywood, she receives monthly residual payments. Meanwhile, despite a 30-year career in Nollywood with over 310 projects, she has yet to see any residuals or royalties—just the memories of her work. To back her claim, Omotola posted actual pay slips from SAG-AFTRA, the American actors’ union, showing her monthly earnings.
While reactions were mixed—some applauding her honesty, others accusing her of unfair comparisons—Beverly Osu cut through the chatter with a clear and powerful message.
She emphasized that Omotola’s post isn’t about comparing countries but about respecting the dignity of artists everywhere. “This isn’t about first world versus third world,” Beverly wrote. “It’s about value, structure, and respect. Art is art. Work is work. Labor is labor. Residuals are a right, not a luxury.”
Beverly didn’t stop there. She dismissed the tired argument that Nigerians shouldn’t compare Nollywood to Hollywood, calling it a lazy excuse that keeps the industry stuck. According to her, artists everywhere—whether in America, Nigeria, or beyond—deserve to earn long after the cameras stop rolling. It’s about more than just immediate pay; it’s about sustainability and fair treatment.
Her bold stance adds fuel to the ongoing debate about the need for structural reform in Nollywood, shining a spotlight on the importance of valuing creative labor properly.