Nigerian actress Patience Ozokwor, widely known as Mama G, has shed light on the financial difficulties faced by many actors in Nollywood, attributing the problem to the absence of royalty payments for their work.
Speaking on the podcast “Curiosity Made Me Ask,” hosted by Isbae U, Ozokwor explained that performers are typically paid a one-time fee for their roles, regardless of how much revenue the films continue to generate over time. She said this lack of residual income forces some actors to seek public assistance despite years of work in the industry.
“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 on board to come and shoot for you, is the only thing we get,” she said.
Ozokwor contrasted the situation with more established film industries, where actors continue to earn from their work long after production ends. “Go and look at the smallest actors in developed countries. Every work they do fetches them money every day of their lives,” she noted. She added that in those countries, royalties can 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.”
The veteran actress pointed out that the lack of residual income has driven many Nigerian actors to seek alternative platforms, particularly YouTube, where they can earn directly from their content. “That’s why everyone is running to YouTube,” she said.
Her comments highlight ongoing concerns about the sustainability of careers in Nollywood, where the absence of structured royalty systems leaves many performers financially vulnerable despite their contributions to one of Africa’s most prolific film industries.
