Media executive Mo Abudu has firmly dismissed claims that a powerful cabal in Nollywood is working with cinema owners to sideline competing films from cinema screens.
Speaking during an interview on ARISE News on Saturday, Abudu addressed growing allegations from filmmakers and cinema-goers who have complained that some movies are abruptly removed from showtimes, replaced without notice, or quietly pushed aside for other titles.
According to Abudu, the accusations misunderstand how cinemas operate.
“There is no cabal,” she said.
“This is not about sentiment or favouritism; it is about return on investment.”
She explained that cinema decisions are driven strictly by business realities, not personal relationships or industry alliances.
“If I am running air-conditioning, paying staff, and only two or three people are sitting in a 100-seat cinema, that film will lose its slot — no matter who owns it. It is purely business,” she stated.
Her comments come amid heated industry debates, with some filmmakers accusing cinemas of unfair scheduling practices that allegedly limit audience turnout and revenue. Others have claimed that cinema staff sometimes persuade customers to switch movies after tickets have already been purchased.
However, cinema operators and other industry stakeholders have consistently argued that screening allocations are guided by demand and box office performance, stressing that cinemas must prioritise films that can consistently fill seats in order to remain profitable.
Abudu’s intervention highlights a broader shift within Nollywood’s cinema culture, where theatrical releases are increasing and competition for limited screening slots — especially during peak periods — has intensified. As a result, industry observers note that films with stronger audience pull naturally retain more showtimes.
With her blunt assessment, Mo Abudu has drawn a clear line in the ongoing debate, insisting that what some call conspiracy is, in reality, the cold logic of box office economics.
