Actress Teniola Aladese has voiced her concerns about the notable pay gap and the secrecy surrounding Nollywood compensation.
In a recent interview, she pointed out that many performers take minimal pay because they think the budget is set, even though some films actually set aside additional money for particular parts.
Citing interactions with coworkers like Timini Egbuson, who expressed his displeasure with a project’s given amount, Aladese highlighted the significance of having candid conversations about compensation.
She claims that this encounter made her more aware of the financial realities of the sector.
The actress, known for her roles in “Jemeji,” “Love in a Pandemic,” and “Gone,” stressed that this culture of secrecy leaves performers unaware of their true value, leading to unequal pay for similar work.
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She said, “In my industry, people rarely talk about pay disparity, and I’m grateful to individuals like Timini Egbusin and Kunle Remi, who openly discuss their earnings with colleagues.
“I remember a conversation with Timini on the set of Love in a Pandemic, he might not even recall it, but he was talking about a project he’d been approached for and mentioned the amount offered. At that time, he wasn’t happy with it. He said something like, ‘You’re calling me to spend weeks on set for what I could make in two to three days elsewhere.
“Hearing that made me realise how much money is actually circulating in the industry. The issue is, because we don’t talk openly about pay, many people aren’t aware of the earning potential. They assume, ‘Ah, they offered me 100,000, I’ll just take it,’ without realizing that budgets are often flexible. For instance, a character might only be needed for a couple of days, but the budget might allocate 700,000.”
