Veteran Nollywood actress Patience Ozokwor has raised concerns over the financial challenges faced by many actors in Nigeria’s film industry, attributing the situation largely to the absence of a structured royalty system.
The respected actress, widely known as Mama G, made these remarks during an appearance on the podcast Curiosity Made Me Ask, hosted by Isbae U. In the interview, she provided a candid assessment of the economic realities confronting performers, despite years of contribution to the growth of Nollywood.
According to Ozokwor, many actors in Nigeria receive only a one-time payment for their roles in films, regardless of how often those productions continue to generate revenue through television broadcasts, online streaming, or international distribution.
She explained that this model leaves actors without long-term financial security, even when the projects they featured in achieve significant commercial success.
“The problem why you see us beg is because they don’t give us royalties,” she said. “We work and toil so hard, and the small money given to us to come and shoot is the only thing we get.”
Her remarks shed light on a long-standing structural issue within Nollywood, where compensation systems often differ significantly from those in more established global film industries.
Ozokwor drew comparisons with practices in developed markets, where actors benefit from residual payments tied to the continued use and distribution of their work. In such systems, performers receive earnings over time, ensuring that their contributions generate ongoing income.
“Look at even the smallest actors in developed countries,” she said. “Every work they do fetches them money every day of their lives.”
She further emphasized that in many of these industries, royalty systems extend beyond the lifetime of the actor, providing financial support for their families. This, she noted, creates a level of stability and recognition for creative work that is currently lacking in Nollywood.
“Even when they are gone, their families still live on that. We are still working hard,” she added.
The actress’s comments have reignited conversations about the need for reforms within Nigeria’s film sector, particularly in the area of intellectual property rights and revenue distribution. Industry observers have long argued that the absence of a standardized royalty framework undermines the sustainability of careers in Nollywood.
Despite being one of the largest film industries in the world by volume, Nollywood continues to grapple with issues related to funding, distribution, and fair compensation. While the industry has made significant strides in global visibility and digital expansion, many actors and creators still face financial instability.
Ozokwor noted that the lack of residual income has forced many actors to explore alternative avenues to sustain themselves. One of the most prominent trends in recent years has been the migration of actors and filmmakers to digital platforms, particularly YouTube.
According to her, these platforms offer creators a more direct and continuous revenue stream, allowing them to benefit from repeated viewership of their content.
“That’s why everyone is running to YouTube,” she said, highlighting the growing shift towards self-distribution and digital monetization.
This trend reflects a broader transformation within the entertainment industry, where digital platforms are increasingly reshaping how content is produced, distributed, and monetized. For many Nigerian actors, YouTube and other online channels provide an opportunity to bypass traditional structures and retain greater control over their earnings.
However, analysts caution that while digital platforms offer new opportunities, they may not fully replace the need for systemic reforms within the industry. A sustainable Nollywood ecosystem, they argue, requires clear policies on royalties, contracts, and intellectual property rights to ensure that all stakeholders are fairly compensated.
Ozokwor’s comments also highlight the human dimension of the issue, drawing attention to the reality that even well-known actors can face financial difficulties after years of service in the industry. This has, at times, led to public appeals for assistance, a situation she suggests is rooted in systemic shortcomings rather than personal mismanagement.
Her perspective has resonated with many within the creative community, sparking renewed calls for collaboration between industry stakeholders, policymakers, and regulatory bodies to address these challenges.
As Nollywood continues to evolve and expand its global reach, the question of fair compensation remains central to its long-term sustainability. Ensuring that actors and creators benefit from the enduring success of their work is increasingly seen as a necessary step in strengthening the industry.
For Ozokwor and many of her colleagues, the goal is not only to improve current conditions but also to create a more secure future for the next generation of performers.
Africa Live News will continue to follow discussions around reforms in Nollywood and the broader implications for Africa’s creative industries.
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