“Maybe They Don’t Know Where I Live” — Omotola Jalade-Ekeinde Decries Zero Royalty Payments After 30 Years in Nollywood

Omotola Jalade-Ekeinde has voiced deep frustration over the Nigerian film industry's payment framework, revealing that despite a career spanning three decades, she has never received a single royalty check for her extensive body of work.

Omotola disclosed that despite spending just five years working in Hollywood, she regularly receives envelopes containing residuals and royalties in her mailbox, whereas her 30 years of leading roles in Nollywood yield no long-term passive compensation.

“I’ve only worked in Hollywood for five years, yet I constantly receive envelopes containing my residuals and royalties. I’ve worked in Nollywood for 30 years and have never received a single envelope. Maybe they don’t know where I live.”
— Omotola Jalade-Ekeinde

The actress emphasized that the absence of collective bargaining rights, residual structures, and copyright enforcement leaves Nigerian actors vulnerable, calling for urgent structural reforms to ensure creators profit long-term from their intellectual property.
What are your thoughts on Omotola’s call for royalty and residual reforms in Nollywood? Drop your comments below!

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