Nollywood actress and producer Ruth Kadiri has revealed the reasons behind her decision to start producing and releasing films on YouTube, describing it as one of the most defining choices of her career.
In a candid interview with Jay On Air, Kadiri admitted that moving her craft to the streaming platform wasn’t an easy decision but one that has brought her immense happiness and fulfillment.
“The last thing I want to do as a person is to lose myself in the process of being an entertainer. I need to be able to keep the wealth of happiness and fulfillment for myself whilst growing and building what I want to build. And I’m not going to let anybody sway me,” she said.
“I Knew It Would Work” — Ruth Kadiri on Following Her Instincts
The actress, who has spent over two decades in the movie industry, said that trusting her instincts and staying true to her creative vision have been central to her success.
“It wasn’t as easy. People were already making films on YouTube. It wasn’t something that I was so aware of. I didn’t understand the business. I didn’t understand how it was. And it wasn’t so appealing at that time.
But when I wanted to do it, I knew how my own was going to go. Most times when I want to do something, I know when it’s going to succeed. I don’t know how I know, but I know,” she explained.
Kadiri, who began her career behind the scenes as a writer and script developer before transitioning fully into acting and production, noted that she has always believed in creating her own lane rather than seeking validation from others.
“People Don’t Understand the Long-Term Goal” — Ruth Speaks on Being Misunderstood
The award-winning filmmaker also addressed being misunderstood in the industry, explaining that not everyone shares or understands her long-term vision.
“I would say, because people don’t understand the long-term goals. And you also probably, if you have energy to explain, you do. If you don’t, you just keep it short,” she said.
Kadiri further urged entertainers to take advantage of modern platforms like YouTube to tell their own stories and explore their creative potential.
“With the tools and opportunities like YouTube and lots of platforms, I expect entertainers to be going crazy and wild and creating things and stuff like that. All those things we wrote in our journals, we are not doing it anymore,” she added.
Background
Ruth Kadiri, known for her exceptional storytelling and consistent work ethic, has built one of the most successful Nollywood YouTube channels with millions of subscribers and views. Her productions often feature relatable family themes, moral lessons, and strong female leads — a blend that has earned her a loyal fanbase across Africa and beyond.
