Nollywood actress and producer Bolaji Ogunmola is offering a strategic solution to the ongoing debate over actor royalties in the Nigerian film industry.
Sharing her thoughts on X (formerly Twitter), Ogunmola urged actors to adopt a “backend” investment mindset. She suggested that actors who desire long-term royalties should invest their own capital into film projects or negotiate alternative payment structures.
Ogunmola believes that sharing the financial risk is the surest way to share the rewards. She outlined a few practical steps for her colleagues:
“If you want royalties, back end. Put your money in the film. Negotiate a slashed fee or nothing at all for a percentage… Let’s all enjoy the benefit of the hard labour,” Ogunmola wrote.
The producer also sent a strong message to fans, linking the lack of royalties to the prevalence of piracy. She argued that the industry cannot sustain actors if the public continues to consume content through illegal channels.
“You can’t want lifetime royalties for actors and still be watching their film on pirated platforms now!” she added, urging Nigerians to support the industry through legitimate streaming services and cinemas.
Ogunmola’s comments follow recent viral remarks by veteran actress Patience Ozokwor. In a recent interview, Ozokwor lamented that many aging actors resort to begging for financial help online because they receive no residual income.
Unlike more structured global film industries where actors earn every time a movie airs, Ozokwor explained that most Nollywood actors only receive a one-time payment for their time on set.
By advocating for investment and a crackdown on piracy, Bolaji Ogunmola aims to bridge this gap and create a more sustainable financial future for Nigerian screen stars.
