Veteran Nollywood actress Patience Ozokwor has shed light on the financial challenges confronting many actors in Nigeria’s film industry, pointing to the lack of royalty payments as a major cause.
Speaking during a recent episode of Curiosity Made Me Ask with Isbae U, she explained that unlike actors in developed countries who earn residual income from reruns and distribution, Nollywood performers are typically paid only once for their roles.
Ozokwor noted that this system has forced many actors to turn to YouTube as an alternative platform for releasing their films.
In her words:
“The reason Nollywood actors and actresses are poor is because we don’t get royalties for what we do. We only get paid for appearing at the shoot. Even the smallest actors in developed countries earn money every day from their work. Even after they’re gone, their families still benefit. But here, we keep working hard. That’s why everyone is running to YouTube.”
