Popular Nollywood actress Patience Ozokwor has opened up about the financial struggles faced by many actors in the Nigerian film industry, attributing the situation to the lack of royalties.

Ozokwor, popularly known as Mama G, made this known while speaking on the podcast, Curiosity Made Me Ask, hosted by Isbae U.

She explained that many actors only receive a one-off payment for movie roles, regardless of how long such productions continue to generate revenue.

According to her, the lack of residual income has left many actors financially strained, forcing some to seek alternative means of survival.

“The problem why you see us beg is because they don’t give us royalties. We just work and toil so hard, and then that peanut, that money you gave us to come and shoot, is the only thing we get,” she said.

The actress compared the situation with what obtains in developed countries, where actors continue to earn from their work long after production.

“Go and look at the smallest actors in developed countries. Every work they do fetches them money every day of their lives,” she added.

She further noted that royalties in such countries extend even after an actor’s death, providing financial support for their families.

“Even when they are gone, their families still live on that. We, we are still working hard,” she said.

Ozokwor added that the situation has pushed many actors toward digital platforms.

“That’s why everyone is running to YouTube,” she said.

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