Nollywood actress and producer Iyabo Ojo has spoken out after allegedly discovering that her newly released movie, The Memory Of You, was being aired by a television station in Ghana without her consent, less than 24 hours after its premiere on YouTube.
The actress described the development as both shocking and discouraging, arguing that such actions threaten the sustainability of the Nigerian film industry, where filmmakers invest significant financial and creative resources into producing quality content.
In a video shared on her Instagram page on Saturday, Ojo expressed disbelief over what she described as an unauthorized broadcast of her film.
“I found out that there’s this TV station in Ghana already showing my movie on their TV channel. I don’t understand. I didn’t give you permission. I don’t know you.”
According to the filmmaker, the television station allegedly took the movie directly from her official YouTube channel and began airing it without any licensing agreement or approval.
Questioning how producers are expected to recover their investments under such circumstances, she said:
“You just took the movie that I posted on my YouTube channel, not even up to 24 hours, and put it on your TV for people to watch for free while you make money. How do we make our money back?”
Ojo emphasized that film production requires substantial financial commitments, including payments to actors, production crew, location fees, costumes, equipment, logistics, and post-production. She warned that widespread piracy could discourage filmmakers from investing in new projects and negatively impact the growth of the entertainment industry.
Seeking official intervention, the actress appealed to Ghanaian authorities, including the Ghana National Film Authority, the country's Minister of Information, and President John Dramani Mahama, urging them to address the issue and protect the intellectual property rights of filmmakers.
“Ghana National Film Authority, the minister in Ghana, the Ghanaian President himself, please look into this because it is very unfair that we Nigerians work so hard to produce our movies and some people sit in their corner transmitting them on local TV.”
Her allegations quickly sparked reactions across the entertainment industry, with fellow actors expressing similar frustrations over the persistent challenge of movie piracy.
Actress Destiny Etiko suggested that the experience was far from isolated, writing:
“That’s what they do to all our movies. I have complained so much, and I’m tired.”
Bimbo Ademoye also weighed in, criticizing what she described as dismissive responses often given to complaints about unauthorized broadcasts.
“Watch them come and say they’re doing you a favour. Then someone will say they’re working on it, and later turn around and say you’re clout chasing.”
Many fans also reacted in the comment section, with several encouraging Iyabo Ojo to explore legal options against the television station involved while calling for stronger enforcement of copyright laws to curb piracy across the African film industry.