Actress Teniola Aladese has raised concerns about the lack of transparency surrounding pay in Nollywood and the wide disparity in what actors earn.
In an interview, she explained that many actors accept low fees under the assumption that production budgets are fixed, even though some films set aside higher amounts for specific roles.
Aladese underscored the need for open conversations about pay, citing discussions with colleagues like Timini Egbuson, who once expressed dissatisfaction with the amount he was offered for a project.
According to her, that exchange broadened her understanding of the industry’s financial landscape.
The actress, known for her appearances in “Jemeji,” “Love in a Pandemic,” and “Gone,” argued that this culture of secrecy prevents performers from recognising their true worth, resulting in unequal pay for similar roles.
She said, “In my industry, people rarely talk about pay disparity, and I’m grateful to individuals like Timini Egbusin and Kunle Remi, who openly discuss their earnings with colleagues.
“I remember a conversation with Timini on the set of Love in a Pandemic, he might not even recall it, but he was talking about a project he’d been approached for and mentioned the amount offered. At that time, he wasn’t happy with it. He said something like, ‘You’re calling me to spend weeks on set for what I could make in two to three days elsewhere.
“Hearing that made me realise how much money is actually circulating in the industry. The issue is, because we don’t talk openly about pay, many people aren’t aware of the earning potential. They assume, ‘Ah, they offered me 100,000, I’ll just take it,’ without realizing that budgets are often flexible. For instance, a character might only be needed for a couple of days, but the budget might allocate 700,000.”
