Nollywood filmmaker Jade Osiberu has responded to the growing call for lifetime royalties for Nigerian actors, offering a perspective that has stirred debate within the industry.
Her comment follows a plea to the Actors Guild of Nigeria (AGN) to consider implementing a policy that would ensure actors and actresses receive lifetime royalty payments from films they feature in.
Reacting to the idea, Osiberu took to her X (formerly Twitter) account and introduced a condition that shifted the focus to shared financial responsibility.
“I agree jare,” she said. “I think the association should also implement a law that when a producer makes losses on a project, all the actors and crew come together to contribute to cover the losses incurred. Maybe for actors, you can contribute by how many scenes you featured in so the leads pay the most and then day players and extras pay the least. For crew, it can be by seniority.”
She, however, clarified that her earlier remark was made sarcastically, noting that the conversation around royalties requires nuance and a broader understanding of how the industry works.
Osiberu explained that she has been among the producers who have explored alternative compensation structures, including offering actors backend deals and opportunities to invest in projects. According to her, such approaches are aimed at building a system where stakeholders share both the rewards and responsibilities of filmmaking.
She stressed that discussions about royalties should reflect the realities of the industry and take into account the perspectives of all stakeholders.
While acknowledging that individuals naturally seek to protect their own interests, she pointed out that filmmaking remains one of the most capital-intensive art forms, particularly in an industry that is still developing its infrastructure.
Osiberu added that any stakeholder focused solely on earning without understanding the broader value chain risks overlooking the complexities of the business, urging industry players to better educate themselves about how the ecosystem functions.
Her response highlights a key concern among filmmakers, which is the financial risks involved in production.
While actors are advocating for continued earnings after a film’s release, producers often shoulder the cost of production without any guarantee of profit.
Osiberu’s position suggests that any move towards lifetime royalties should also address how losses are handled.
Jade Osiberu, 40, is a filmmaker with over a decade of experience in Nollywood, where she has built a reputation for delivering commercially successful projects.
Over the years, she has positioned herself as a key player in the industry, known for creating films that appeal to both local and international audiences while maintaining strong storytelling rooted in Nigerian realities.
Beyond the ongoing debate, Osiberu is known for producing successful films such as Isoken, Sugar Rush, Brotherhood, and Gangs of Lagos.
