By Africa Live News
Veteran Nigerian actress and producer Omotola Jalade-Ekeinde has called for urgent structural reforms in Nollywood, citing the lack of royalties and residual payments for actors as a glaring shortfall in Nigeria’s multibillion-naira movie industry.
The screen icon, who has spent more than three decades shaping African cinema, made her passionate appeal on Saturday in a viral Instagram post that has since sparked serious industry-wide conversation.
In her message, Omotola juxtaposed her limited experience working in Hollywood with her extensive career in Nollywood, emphasizing the stark contrast in payment structure—particularly regarding residual income, a system where actors continue to receive royalties from repeat broadcasts, streaming, and syndication of their work.
“Two Hollywood Projects, Monthly Residuals”
Omotola shared an image of an envelope she recently received from SAG-AFTRA—the Screen Actors Guild – American Federation of Television and Radio Artists—an influential U.S. union that ensures fair wages and benefits for performers.
Despite having worked on only two test projects in Hollywood over the span of four years, she revealed she has been receiving consistent monthly residual payments, a stark contrast to her experience in Nollywood, where she starred in over 310 productions without receiving a single residual.
“Just four years in Hollywood. Two test projects, monthly residuals,” she wrote.
“30 years in Nollywood, over 310 projects, no residuals. #NollywoodNeedsStructure and #UnlearntoRelearn.”
The post has been widely interpreted as a wake-up call to Nollywood stakeholders and policymakers to reconsider how actors and creatives are compensated in the long term.
The Royalty Gap: Nollywood vs. Hollywood
In Hollywood, residuals are standard for union-affiliated actors, ensuring that performers earn a portion of the profits whenever their work is rebroadcast, streamed, or sold in secondary markets. This structure provides financial stability and long-term security, especially for aging actors or those between gigs.
Nollywood, despite being one of the largest film industries in the world by output, lacks such a structure. According to Omotola and several other industry veterans, actors are typically paid a one-off fee for their roles, regardless of how many times the movie is resold or streamed.
This model, critics argue, severely undervalues the contribution of talent and fails to provide any form of financial continuity for performers.
“Actors in Nollywood are essentially treated as contractors. Once a film is done, their contribution is economically forgotten,” said a Lagos-based film critic.
“This isn’t sustainable, especially in an age of digital distribution where content can live forever online.”
Omotola’s Long Career in the Spotlight
Omotola Jalade-Ekeinde is widely regarded as one of Nollywood’s pioneering figures, having appeared in hundreds of titles since her breakout role in the 1995 film Venom of Justice. Her charisma, talent, and advocacy have made her a household name across Africa and beyond.
She has been recognized globally, including being named among TIME Magazine’s 100 Most Influential People in the World in 2013. Her brief but meaningful foray into Hollywood includes working on international collaborations and projects under SAG-AFTRA jurisdiction.
Her latest outcry is not just a personal complaint—it’s a broader advocacy for an industry overhaul.
“This is not just about me. It’s about hundreds of Nollywood actors who helped build this industry and are now left with nothing to show for their lifelong work,” a source close to Omotola said.
Industry Reaction: A Tipping Point?
Omotola’s revelation has generated a wave of discussions across Nigerian entertainment platforms, with many industry insiders echoing her sentiments.
Nollywood actors, including the likes of Richard Mofe-Damijo, Kate Henshaw, and Joke Silva, have in the past highlighted similar concerns. However, Omotola’s blunt comparison with Hollywood now appears to have injected fresh momentum into calls for reform.
“We can’t continue to ignore the systemic flaws in Nollywood. There must be a royalty framework put in place,” said filmmaker and director Tunde Kelani in response to the post.
Fans and media commentators have also chimed in, many expressing shock that Nigeria’s most celebrated talents are left without long-term financial rewards despite the global success of their works.
The Need for Legal and Union Frameworks
Observers argue that one of the key hurdles to implementing residual systems in Nollywood is the absence of strong unions and enforceable contracts.
While associations such as the Actors Guild of Nigeria (AGN) exist, critics say they lack the organizational strength and bargaining power of their Western counterparts.
“Until Nollywood unions evolve into robust, rights-protecting institutions like SAG-AFTRA, Nigerian actors will continue to be shortchanged,” said media lawyer Uche Odunze.
Digital platforms like Netflix, Amazon Prime, and YouTube now play a huge role in Nollywood distribution, but there are no standard agreements ensuring actors benefit from the long-term success of these films.
“Residuals are not a luxury. They’re a right,” said one prominent content creator.
“And until we fix Nollywood’s foundation, it will remain an industry that benefits producers and platforms more than the actual talent.”
#NollywoodNeedsStructure Trends Online
In the wake of Omotola’s post, hashtags like #NollywoodNeedsStructure and #UnlearntoRelearn have begun trending on X (formerly Twitter), sparking heated conversations about the state of creative rights in Nigeria’s film sector.
Young actors have joined in, with many urging the industry’s leadership to push for policy reforms, while also calling on the government to support legislation that mandates royalty and residual systems.
“Omotola is using her voice to fight for all of us. She’s not being negative; she’s calling for growth,” one budding actress posted.
“It’s time we unlearn exploitative systems and relearn fair creative practices.”
Looking Ahead
Omotola Jalade-Ekeinde’s call to action highlights a long-standing issue that has plagued Nollywood despite its remarkable global rise. As the industry continues to attract international attention and investment, there is a growing consensus that its internal structures must match its international stature.
For now, actors and fans alike wait to see whether this renewed momentum will translate into concrete reforms, or whether, as in years past, it will be yet another passionate plea left unanswered.
