Nigerian filmmaker Jade Osiberu has entered the ongoing conversation on royalties in Nollywood, calling for a more nuanced and holistic approach that reflects the realities of filmmaking.
Taking to her X platform, the writer and director addressed growing calls for structured royalty payments to actors, emphasizing that any reform must consider the entire value chain of film production, including the financial risks borne by producers.
In a statement that quickly drew attention, Osiberu sarcastically suggested that if actors are to receive royalties, they should also share in losses when projects fail commercially.
“I think the association should also implement a law that when a producer makes a loss, all actors and crew contribute to cover it,” she wrote, adding humorously that contributions could be based on screen time for actors and seniority for crew members.
She later clarified that the remark was made in jest to highlight the complexity of the issue, stressing that the conversation around royalties requires deeper understanding rather than surface-level demands.
Osiberu further revealed that she has been proactive in exploring more inclusive financial models, noting that she was among the first producers to offer actors backend deals and opportunities to invest in film projects.
Highlighting the financial realities of the industry, she described filmmaking as one of the most capital-intensive art forms, particularly within a developing ecosystem like Nollywood, where infrastructure and funding structures are still evolving.
According to her, many actors are reluctant to invest in projects due to the uncertainty of returns, yet expect guaranteed earnings an imbalance she believes must be addressed through broader industry education.
“Any single player just looking to earn without considering the entire ecosystem needs to settle down and really learn about the industry,” she added.
ELIJAH ADEYEMI
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