Veteran Nigerian actress Omotola Jalade has opened up about a period when she and several other prominent Nollywood actors seemingly disappeared from the Nigerian movie industry, claiming they were banned from acting by movie marketers.

Speaking during a recent interview on Yanga FM, Omotola said the incident occurred around 2015 and involved some of the biggest names in the industry at the time.

According to the actress, she, Genevieve Nnaji, Ramsey Nouah, Richard Mofe-Damijo (RMD), Jim Iyke and other veteran actors were allegedly banned by movie marketers after they began pushing for better standards, accountability and improved structures within Nollywood.

Why the actors were allegedly banned

Omotola explained that the marketers allegedly viewed the group as a bad influence because of their efforts to demand greater professionalism and raise the standard of Nigerian movies.

She suggested that their push for better structures and accountability created tension with some stakeholders in the industry, eventually resulting in the actors being prevented from getting acting jobs.

The actress said the development contributed to the noticeable absence of several major Nollywood stars from movies during that period.

Omotola reveals she rejected reconciliation meeting

According to Omotola, a reconciliation meeting was eventually organised in an attempt to resolve the disagreement between the actors and movie marketers.

However, she disclosed that she chose not to attend the meeting.

Her revelation offers insight into some of the behind-the-scenes tensions that reportedly existed within Nollywood during a period when several of the industry’s biggest stars became less visible on screen.

The claims, as recounted by Omotola, have renewed discussions about the power dynamics between actors, movie marketers and other stakeholders in Nigeria’s film industry.