Omotola Jalade-Ekeinde Calls for Structural Reform in Nollywood

Veteran Nigerian actress and filmmaker, Omotola Jalade-Ekeinde, has called for a complete structural overhaul of Nollywood, Nigeria’s film industry, highlighting the absence of residual payments for actors.

In a candid Instagram post on Saturday, Omotola reflected on her 30-year career in Nollywood and contrasted it with her short stint in Hollywood. She expressed her frustration over the lack of financial systems that support artists in Nigeria after a film’s release.

“Just four years in Hollywood. Two test projects, monthly residuals,” she wrote, alongside a photo of an envelope from SAG-AFTRA—the American performers’ union that handles royalties and residuals.

She compared that to her experience in Nigeria:

“30 years in Nollywood, with over 310 projects — no residuals.”

The actress emphasized that Nollywood urgently needs formal structures and better financial systems to support creatives even after their work is completed. She ended her post with hashtags #NollywoodNeedsStructure and #UnlearntoRelearn, signaling a call to action for both reform and education within the industry.

Her comments have sparked conversation online, as many creatives echo her concerns over the industry’s lack of professional standards and protections for artists.