Mo Abudu Dismisses Claims of Secret Cinema Cabal in Nollywood
Media entrepreneur and EbonyLife Group CEO Mo Abudu has publicly addressed and denied allegations that a secret cabal operates within Nollywood, collaborating with cinema operators to block certain films from screening. In recent weeks, numerous filmmakers and cinema-goers have voiced complaints on social media, alleging that films are sometimes removed from scheduled screenings, replaced with other titles, or that cinema staff persuade audiences to switch movies after tickets have been purchased.
Business Decisions Over Personal Sentiment
Speaking on ARISE Television, Abudu emphasized that cinema operations are driven strictly by business considerations and audience demand, rather than sentiment, favouritism, or personal relationships. "Even if you say people prefer peak hours, and they get 50% of that, that’s still about 450 screenings in a month," she explained, highlighting that scheduling decisions are based on performance metrics, operational costs, and audience turnout.
Abudu clarified that she cannot speak for all cinemas but can certainly vouch for EbonyLife Cinemas, asserting that the allegations are unfounded. "We run a professional business. Our return on investment depends very heavily on making sure that we have people sitting in every single cinema," she stated, underscoring the importance of profitability in their operations.
Adjusting Schedules Based on Audience Demand
She further stressed that cinema schedules are adjusted based on audience demand and operational realities. "When your film is in our cinema, and it has no audience, and I am running air conditioning and paying staff, by the next week we are going to have a conversation. That time slot can no longer really work," Abudu noted, illustrating the practical challenges faced by cinema operators.
To emphasize the business-driven nature of these decisions, Abudu revealed that even films produced by her own daughter have been moved due to poor turnout, demonstrating that no personal connections influence scheduling choices.
Industry Reactions and Broader Context
Veteran actress Omotola Jalade Ekeinde acknowledged that such complaints have become widespread but clarified that the allegations do not reflect EbonyLife Cinemas’ practices. "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," Omotola said, indicating the pervasiveness of these concerns within the industry.
These remarks come amid growing tension between filmmakers and cinema operators, particularly during Nigeria’s busy December cinema season. Prominent filmmakers like Toyin Abraham, Niyi Akinmolayan, and Ini Edo have raised concerns about gatekeeping, unfavourable screening times, and alleged mismanagement of ticket revenues, highlighting broader issues in Nollywood’s distribution and exhibition sectors.
The controversy has sparked debates about transparency and fairness in film screenings, with many calling for more standardized practices across cinemas to ensure equitable opportunities for all filmmakers.
