Popular Nollywood actress, Patience Ozokwor, has opened up about the financial struggles faced by many actors in the Nigerian film industry, attributing the situation to the lack of royalties.
Speaking during an appearance on the podcast “Curiosity Made Me Ask,” hosted by Isbae U, the veteran actress explained that many performers receive only a one-time payment for their roles, regardless of how often the films continue to generate revenue.
According to her, the absence of residual income is forcing many actors to seek alternative platforms, particularly YouTube, where they can earn directly from their content.
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“The problem why you see us beg is because they don’t give us royalties. We just work and toil so hard, and then that peanut, that money you gave us to come and shoot, is the only thing we get,” she said.
Ozokwor compared the situation with developed film industries, where actors continue to earn from their work long after production has ended.
“Go and look at the smallest actors in developed countries. Every work they do fetches them money every day of their lives,” she added.
She further noted that in such industries, royalties continue even after an actor’s death, providing financial security for their families.
“Even when they are gone, their families still live on that. We, we are still working hard,” she said.
“That’s why everyone is running to YouTube,” she added.