Veteran Nollywood actress and filmmaker Omotola Jalade-Ekeinde has opened up about the realities behind a film’s box-office success, revealing that only about ₦22 million was left for the producers of Mother’s Love after deductions.
The film grossed ₦102.9 million during its nine-week run in Nigerian cinemas, but according to Omotola, the amount that eventually came back to the production company was a fraction of the headline figure.
“We made ₦103 million from Mother’s Love and we, the producers, took home ₦22 million at the end of it,” she said, drawing fresh attention to the cost of getting a film from the cinema to the producer’s pocket.
While a film’s box-office figure often makes headlines, that amount represents the total money generated from ticket sales. Exhibitors, distributors, taxes and other charges are deducted before the producers receive their share.
Mother’s Love opened in Nigerian cinemas on March 6, 2026, after a star-studded premiere in Lagos. The 102-minute drama marked Omotola’s directorial debut, adding another milestone to her more than three decades in Nollywood.
Distributed by Nile Entertainment and produced under her RedHot Concepts banner, the film crossed the ₦100 million mark after 39 days in cinemas. It eventually ended its theatrical run with a total box-office gross of ₦102,900,704.
But beyond the numbers, Omotola had also attached a social cause to the project. The actress had earlier announced that all the theatrical proceeds accruing to RedHot Concepts from the Nigerian cinema run would be donated to Slum2School Africa, an organisation that supports children in underserved communities.
She announced a private screening of the film in Lagos in March, explaining that she wanted the project to go beyond entertainment and contribute to expanding educational opportunities for vulnerable children.
Her latest revelation, however, sparked a wider conversation about how cinema revenue works in Nigeria and why a ₦100 million box-office success does not necessarily translate to ₦100 million in the hands of a filmmaker.
The amount shared by cinemas, distributors and producers can vary depending on the agreements involved, while taxes and other costs further reduce what eventually comes back to the production company.
For Omotola, Mother’s Love remains a significant project regardless of the deductions. It marks her first outing as a director and stands among the notable Nigerian cinema releases of 2026.
The film stars Omotola alongside Olumide Oworu, Ifeanyi Kalu, Lilian Afegbai, Noray Nehita and Nosa Rex.
