Veteran Nollywood actress Ronke Oshodi-Oke has praised YouTube for transforming the Nigerian film industry, saying the platform has given creators more control and financial independence.
Speaking on Nollywood On Radio, Ronke reflected on the struggles filmmakers faced before the rise of digital platforms. She explained that many producers rarely received royalties for their work, as third-party marketers often withheld payments, leaving creators to “manage and try” to survive.
“Before, it used to be very difficult to get royalties when you produced a movie. Thank God now that you have your own YouTube—you are your own marketer, your own producer, your own executive producer. You do everything on your own. Nobody owes you anything,” she said.
According to her, YouTube has eliminated these barriers by allowing filmmakers to produce, market, and distribute their content independently while retaining all revenue generated.
Ronke also emphasized that this shift has made Nollywood more inclusive, enabling creators of all levels to connect directly with their audiences and build sustainable careers without relying on traditional distribution networks.
Drawing from her decades in the industry, she described YouTube as a game-changer whose influence will continue to shape Nollywood’s future.
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