Actress and producer Bolaji Ogunmola has weighed in on the ongoing conversation about royalties in Nollywood, offering a different perspective following veteran actress Patience Ozokwo’s comments.
The discussion gained traction after Patience Ozokwo, speaking on the Curiosity Made Me Ask podcast hosted by Isbae U, explained that many Nigerian actors struggle financially because the industry lacks a structured royalty system.
According to her, actors are typically paid a one-time fee for their roles, regardless of how much revenue a film generates afterwards.
Reacting to X, Bolaji suggested that actors seeking long-term earnings should consider taking a more active financial role in film production.
“If you want royalties, back end. Put your money in the film. Negotiate a slashed fee or nothing at all for a percentage. Put body joor. Let’s all enjoy the benefit of the hard labour,” she wrote.
A Different Approach to Earnings
Bolaji’s stance highlights a model in which actors become stakeholders in projects, enabling them to earn from profits rather than relying solely on upfront fees.
Her comments reflect a growing conversation around how Nollywood can evolve its compensation structure to better reward creative contributions over time.
Piracy Concerns
Beyond royalties, Bolaji Ogunmola also addressed piracy, urging audiences to stop watching Nigerian films on illegal platforms such as Moviebox and Telegram.
She stressed that piracy significantly reduces revenue for filmmakers and actors, undermining efforts to improve earnings across the industry.
“You can’t want lifetime royalties for actors and still be watching their films on pirated platforms,” she said, calling for more support through legal viewing channels.
Bigger Industry Conversation
The exchange between Patience Ozokwo and Bolaji Ogunmola underscores a broader debate about sustainability in Nollywood, particularly how actors can secure long-term financial stability in a rapidly evolving entertainment landscape.
