Nollywood actress Teniola Aladese has shed light on the lack of transparency surrounding actors’ pay and the growing gap in earnings within the Nigerian film industry.
In a recent interview, Aladese revealed that many performers accept low fees under the assumption that budgets are fixed. However, she noted that some productions allocate higher payments for specific roles, leaving actors unaware of their true market value.
The actress recounted discussions with colleagues, including Timini Egbuson, who openly expressed dissatisfaction with a project’s proposed pay. “Hearing that made me realise how much money is actually circulating in the industry,” Aladese said.
She stressed that the prevailing culture of secrecy prevents actors from knowing what they could earn, often resulting in unequal pay for similar roles. “People assume, ‘Ah, they offered me 100,000, I’ll just take it,’ without realizing budgets are often flexible,” she added.
Aladese acknowledged industry peers like Egbuson and Kunle Remi for fostering open conversations about compensation, encouraging actors to advocate for fair remuneration.
Known for her roles in Jemeji, Love in a Pandemic, and Gone, Aladese hopes her remarks will spark broader discussions on pay transparency and equitable treatment in Nollywood.
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