“Why Nollywood actors remain poor” – Patience Ozokwor speaks on lack of royalties

Veteran Nollywood actress Patience Ozokwor has opened up on the financial struggles faced by many actors in the Nigerian film industry, attributing it largely to the absence of royalty payments.

She spoke on this while being featured in a recent episode of the Curiosity Made Me Ask, with Isbae U.

Speaking on the issue, the actress explained that unlike their counterparts in developed countries, Nollywood actors are typically paid only once for their roles, with no residual income from repeated broadcasts or distribution of their work.

She noted that most actors have now switched to releasing their films on YouTube because of this.

Her words in part …

“The reason why Nollywood actors and actresses are poor is because we don’t get Royalties for what we do, we only get paid for our appearance at the shoot. Go and look at the smallest actors in developed countries. Every work dey do fetch them money everyday of their lives. Even when they are gone, their families still live on that. We, we are still working hard. That’s why everyone is running to Youtube”

Watch video below …

“The reason why Nollywood actors and actresses are poor is because we don’t get Royalties for what we do, we only get paid for our appearance at the shoot. That’s why everyone is running to Youtube”

— Patience Ozokwo says 🤦🏾‍♂️ pic.twitter.com/YC9t4wYMCe

— SKB (@seyikanbai) April 4, 2026