Nollywood producer and actress Omoni Oboli has weighed in on the ongoing debate around film promotion in the Nigerian movie industry, defending visibility and self-marketing as necessary tools for creatives. Her comments come amid the social media debate on whether certain film promotion strategies are professional.
In a video posted on her Instagram page, Oboli argued that marketing oneself should not be mistaken for arrogance. According to her, clearly telling people who you are and what you do is an important part of building a career, especially in the creative industry. She warned that silence often creates confusion, and confusion, she said, does not pay bills or build long-term success.
The debate around movie promotion has gained momentum in recent days, with differing views on how far actors and producers should go in promoting their films. While some believe promotion should be subtle and handled strictly by marketing teams, others argue that today’s audiences respond more to personal and visible engagement from creatives themselves.
In the video, Omoni Oboli supports promoting one’s work in a way that allows people to clearly understand its value.
She challenged the belief that talent should always speak for itself, describing it as a harmful idea that has limited many creatives. According to her, excellence alone is not enough if people are not aware of the work being produced.
She also addressed the notion that visibility equals vanity, a belief she said many creatives, particularly women, were taught to accept. According to her, this mindset discourages people from owning their value and confidently presenting their work to the public.
“Impact requires visibility,” Oboli said, stressing that self-promotion should be seen as offering value, not seeking validation. She explained that creatives are not begging for attention when they market their work, but making it easier for the right audience to discover it.
To further drive her point, Oboli drew a comparison with global brands. She questioned why companies such as Coca-Cola can advertise consistently without being accused of pride, while creatives are often criticised for doing the same.
Oboli framed self-marketing as a form of clarity and confidence. She described it as refusing to apologise for one’s value and understanding that visibility helps build legacy. According to her, waiting quietly for recognition is no longer practical in today’s creative economy.
Her position is informed by experience, having worked across acting, writing and producing for years. She has seen how audience engagement has changed and how creators must adapt to remain relevant and financially sustainable.
Her film, Love in Every Word, was the most-watched Nigerian movie on YouTube in 2025, with 31 million views, which puts her in a position to understand and speak on how the Nigerian audience engages with films.
Having spent over two decades in the industry, Omoni Oboli is among the most experienced voices on Nollywood’s evolving scene.
