Taking to Instagram, Omotola, who has spent three decades in Nollywood and contributed to over 310 projects, revealed that despite her extensive filmography, she receives no residual income from her work in the industry. This stands in stark contrast to her relatively nascent career in Hollywood.
She explicitly stated: "Just 4 years in Hollywood. 2 test projects. Monthly residuals. 30 years in Nollywood. 310 + projects. No residuals. Nollywood needs structure."
Her statement underscores a fundamental disparity in how creative work is compensated across different global film industries. Residuals, which are ongoing payments to actors and other crew members for the reuse of their work (such as reruns, streaming, or home video sales), are a cornerstone of compensation in established film markets like Hollywood. Their absence in Nollywood means that actors, even after years of contributing to popular and profitable projects, do not benefit from the long-term success of their work.
Omotola's public call for "structure" in Nollywood resonates with many in the industry who have long advocated for better intellectual property rights, standardized contracts, and fair compensation models. Her unique position, having experienced both systems, lends significant weight to her observations and is likely to intensify discussions about the necessary reforms for Nollywood's sustainable growth and the fair treatment of its talents.