Omotola Jalade-Ekeinde Calls for Overhaul in Nollywood’s Structure
Seasoned actress and producer Omotola Jalade-Ekeinde has voiced a strong plea for structural changes within Nigeria’s film industry, Nollywood. With over three decades of experience under her belt, Omotola made this appeal in a widely shared Instagram post on Saturday.
Drawing a comparison between her time in Hollywood and Nollywood, she highlighted a glaring disparity in how royalties are handled. While Hollywood actors receive residual payments, Nollywood artists often face the harsh reality of no such financial recognition.
Omotola shared her personal experience, noting that in just four years working on two test projects in Hollywood, she has been receiving monthly residuals. “Just four years in Hollywood. Two test projects, monthly residuals,” she remarked.
In stark contrast, she pointed out that despite starring in over 310 projects during her 30-year career in Nollywood, she has yet to receive any residual payments. Accompanying her post was a photo of an envelope from SAG-AFTRA, the American union representing film and media professionals.
She concluded her message with the hashtags #NollywoodNeedsStructure and #UnlearntoRelearn, urging the industry to modernize and adopt fairer systems that reward artists for their work.