Media mogul Mo Abudu has dismissed claims that a faction in Nollywood is collaborating with cinema operators to limit screening slots for some films.
Speaking on ARISE TV, Abudu stressed that cinema programming is driven by business factors and audience demand, not personal bias or favoritism.
Veteran actress Omotola Jalade-Ekeinde, who also took part in the conversation, observed that complaints about unfair industry practices are becoming more widespread.
“I have heard these things, people have been saying this. Actors themselves have come out to say this has happened to them. And there are some fans too who corroborate these stories, confirming that some people convinced them to watch one movie apart from the movie they came to see,” Omotola said.
In response, Abudu stated that it would be commercially illogical for cinemas to limit screenings or discourage audiences from seeing specific films.
Abudu referenced EbonyLife Cinemas, which she owns, explaining that the company focuses on filling seats to ensure maximum returns on investment.
Abudu further explained that screening schedules are reviewed based on performance, as cinemas weigh creative goals against operating expenses such as electricity and staff wages.
She stressed that these decisions are purely business-driven and apply equally to all producers, regardless of ownership or status.
Responding, Abudu said, “I can’t speak for all the cinemas, but I can certainly speak for EbonyLife Cinemas. it’s not true. We run a professional business. Our return on investment depends very heavily on making sure that we have people sitting in every single cinema.
“It is in our interest to ensure that every cinema is full. We have five cinemas in EbonyLife. We do about 30 screenings a day. That’s about 900 screenings in a month. There is plenty of space.”
Addressing complaints about peak-hour slots, she said audience demand does not always align with expectations. “Even if you say people prefer peak hours, and they get 50% of that, that’s still about 450 screenings in a month,” she said.
“When your film is in our cinema and it has no audience, and I am running air conditioning and paying staff, and you only have two or three people in a 100-seater cinema, by the next week we are going to have a conversation,” she said. “That time slot can no longer really work.”
“There is no sentiment to anybody being in the cinema space,” Abudu added
“My daughter had a film in the cinema last year. When it wasn’t performing, we had to move the film out. So there is no sentiment,” she said.
“This is about return on investment. It does not matter who owns the film. If I, Mo Abudu, make a film and we are not able to fill up the seats, it’s going to give way to the next film that can,” she added.
The remarks come amid rising tension between filmmakers and cinema operators, as some continue to allege unfair treatment and unfavourable screening slots.