Omoni Oboli, 46, is a renowned Nigerian actress, scriptwriter, director, and producer. She began her acting career nearly three decades ago when she featured in a film titled, ‘Bitter Encounter.’ Over the years, Oboli has consistently broken boundaries, acting in and producing numerous movie projects. OLAITAN GANIU writes.
For years, film piracy, limited access to distribution channels and lack of fund are some of the challenges that have been facing the country’s creative sector. Despite these obstacles, Nollywood still positions itself as the second-largest film-producing industry in the world.
One of the thespian talents who are unrelenting about the entertainment industry is Omoni Oboli. Her ability to juggle multiple roles as a actress, filmmaker, entrepreneur and mother is nothing short of inspiring. She has continued to deliver outstanding performances and made a name for herself in the world of filmmaking.
“The truth is, all I really want is to keep having my head down and putting in good work always. I don’t do this for accolades. I’m already famous in my father’s eyes. He knows my name,” the mother of three said while speaking on her newest YouTube production titled, ‘Love in Every Word.’
She added, “I can’t count the number of churches that pastors used our movie, ‘Love in Every Word’ to preach! Lord, I give you praise.”
The film has garnered over 22 million views in few weeks, proving the demand for premium Nollywood content on digital platforms.
From big screens to YouTube
Recently, the Nigerian film industry has experienced a significant shift in the area of distribution channels as many filmmakers, actors and content creators are bypassing traditional distribution barriers to release their movies on the video-sharing platform, YouTube.
From Ruth Kadiri, Kunle Afolayan, and Wumi Toriola to Bimbo Ademoye, more and more prolific content creators are leveraging social media platforms to reach a global audience.
“The truth is, when I decided to start making movies for the YouTube platform, we didn’t want to make movies below a standard I was used to, however, it’s dicey,” Oboli stressed.
Industry analysts opined that the trend on the rise due to economic hardship which is affecting the cost of movie production. Similarly, low percentage offered to filmmakers by major streaming platforms has pushed film producer to pitch their tent with YouTube.
Aside from the fact that YouTube is cost-effective in distributing films compared to traditional methods, they can easily reach a global audience; build online portfolios and monetise their content through various channels. With YouTube Partner Programme (YPP), content creators could earn between $1,000 to $5,000 per 1 million views.
A win-win for movie lovers
For many Nigerians, it is a win-win as people can now watch films on their smart TVs or phones for free, without needing a subscription to any major cable networks or streaming platforms, including DStv, Netflix, and Prime Video, among others.
“You see YouTube is a free platform and revenue can be quite tricky especially because most of our views come from Nigeria and Africa but I decided I will not insult the intelligence of my audience. I will not reduce myself to make a profit. We opted to play the long game. Keep putting in the work no matter the financial outcome, one day, it will make sense so my heart dances when I see comments like these.”
The fight against piracy continues
Despite the significant success of indigenous films across cinemas and streaming platforms, digital piracy is reaping off the effort of film producers.
Oboli, who studied Digital Editing at the New York Film Academy, expressed deep frustration over the growing issue of digital piracy, noting that films are often leaked online within 24 hours of release on streaming platforms. While platforms like YouTube allow takedown requests, many smaller sites are beyond their control.
Though, many times, the production costs were recovered, she admits to losing significant revenue to piracy—an experience common to all filmmakers, as piracy consistently cuts into their potential earnings.
All hails the queen
For her effort on the latest project, Oboli has continued to receive accolades from her fans, industry stakeholders and government.
The Special Assistant to the President, Office of the Vice President, on Digital and Creative Economy, Fegho Umunubo, applauded the versatile actress and the lead cast for their exceptional role in the film.
“Love in Every Word is the fastest-growing Nollywood movie of all time. We celebrate your contributions to the creative industry,” the SA to the president commented.
“Huge congratulations to the incredibly talented Omoni Oboli on creating a masterpiece that has captivated the hearts of Nigerians. Reaching 15 million views is no small feat, and at this rate, 30 million views and beyond seem inevitable.
“Kudos to the brilliant lead cast, Bam Bam and Uzor Arukwe, for delivering outstanding performances that brought this amazing story to life. Your talent, dedication, and passion are truly inspiring. Thank you all for pushing the boundaries of what’s possible in the Nigerian movie industry. Here’s to many more wins and continued success! Cheers.”
Oboli’s leading the charge
Her journey proves that Nollywood is evolving beyond cinemas and streaming giants YouTube is now a force to be reckoned with, and Oboli is leading the charge. As her latest projects continue to break records, there is no doubt that she will keep redefining success in the industry.
“I love when they think you’re nobody and you turn out to be the GOAT,” she said.
Omoni Oboli has consistently delivered outstanding performances, embodying a wide range of roles. In 2024, she impressed audiences by playing both a mother and a grandmother in different movie roles, proving her exceptional ability to adapt to any character. This skill has solidified her place as one of Nollywood’s most respected and sought-after actresses.
Beyond acting, she has made a name for herself in the world of filmmaking. As a director and producer, Oboli has created some of the most talked-about movies in Nollywood. Some of her most successful productions include: Being Mrs Elliot (2014), The First Lady (2015), Wives on Strike (2016), Okafor’s Law (2017), Love is War (2019), The Uprising,Wives on Strike 3 (2024), and many more. Her latest film, The Uprising: Wives on Strike 3, became a box office sensation, grossing ₦28.2 million ($35,000) in its opening weekend.
Omoni Oboli’s impact extends beyond the screen. She is a philanthropist, using her charity organization, ‘The Omoni Oboli Foundation,’ to bring relief to the plight of the less- privileged women and children of Nigerian society. She has championed causes related to education, gender equality, and opportunities for women in the film industry.
