Mother’s Love Grosses ₦103M; ₦22M Donated to Slum to School Africa

Nigerian screen veteran Omotola Jalade-Ekeinde marked her directorial debut with the family drama “Mother’s Love,” which closed its theatrical run on 19 April 2026 after generating ₦103,094,663 at the domestic box office. The film opened nationwide on 6 March 2026 and starred Jalade-Ekeinde alongside Noray Nehita, Ifeanyi Kalu, Olumide Oworu, Lilian Afegbai, and Nosa Rex.

At the Lagos premiere, Jalade-Ekeinde appeared in a floral-beaded strapless gown paired with a platinum blonde retro wave hairstyle, oversized pearl accessories, and a plush faux fur wrap, channeling classic Hollywood glamour for the occasion.

The narrative follows Adebisi, played by Nehita, a sheltered young woman who discovers her voice during her mandatory National Youth Service Corps year away from her family’s strict household. Jalade-Ekeinde portrays Labake, a mother navigating the tension between protective instincts and her daughter’s push for independence.

Jalade-Ekeinde later detailed the film’s commercial performance on her digital channel. After accounting for exhibitor shares, distribution fees, print and advertising costs, value added tax, entertainment tax, and withholding tax, the net producer earnings amounted to ₦22,276,558. She attributed the early cinema exit to unavoidable travel commitments that would have prevented her from fulfilling the promotional appearances customary for Nigerian theatrical releases.

“If I left it in the cinemas and I would not have the time to promote it or to be there in the cinema, as the culture was, or is at this time, to meet with fans, I knew that I would do the movie a disservice,” she explained.

Distribution partner Nile Entertainment transferred the full net sum to Slum to School Africa on 7 July 2026, fulfilling Jalade-Ekeinde’s pledge to direct 100 percent of producer proceeds to the educational nonprofit supporting children in underserved communities.

The film also screened at the 34th Pan African Film Festival in Los Angeles, where Jalade-Ekeinde was accompanied by her sons, Matthew and Michael Ekeinde. The festival appearance positioned the project within a broader continental and diaspora conversation about Nigerian storytelling beyond commercial theater circuits.

“Mother’s Love” represents a rare instance of a Nollywood veteran transitioning behind the camera for a feature debut while maintaining full transparency on theatrical economics and committing proceeds to social impact. The film’s journey from premiere glamour to box office accounting to philanthropic transfer traces a complete cycle that industry observers note is uncommon in public discourse.