Why top Nollywood stars were banned – Omotola Jalade Ekeinde

Veteran Nollywood actress Omotola Jalade Ekeinde has opened up on the circumstances surrounding the ban imposed on her and several top actors by movie marketers in 2005.

Omotola spoke during an interview on Yanga FM Nigeria, describing the episode as a major turning point in her career and one that reshaped her outlook on life and work.

According to the actress, the decision affected eight of the most popular faces in Nollywood at the time, including Genevieve Nnaji, Ramsey Nouah, Jim Iyke, Stella Damasus, Richard Mofe-Damijo, Nkem Owoh, and one other actor.

She explained that the group was restricted from working with certain film marketers, a move that significantly limited their participation in movie projects during that period.

Omotola said the marketers claimed the actors were having a negative impact on the industry. However, she insisted the real issue stemmed from their push for better quality, professionalism, and higher standards in filmmaking—demands that reportedly did not sit well with those controlling production and distribution at the time.

The actress revealed that while some of the affected actors were allowed back into the system after about a year, her own ban lasted longer.

She linked the extended restriction to her decision not to attend a reconciliation meeting organised by the marketers, noting that her absence further strained the already tense relationship.

Despite the setback, Omotola said she refused to remain idle during the period. She ventured into music, releasing her first album, and also focused on business, particularly investments and property-related ventures.

Reflecting on the experience, the thespian said the ban ultimately pushed her to explore new paths rather than dwell on what she could not control, adding that it did not stop her from progressing in her career.

Recounting the incident, she said, “The first eight were me, Genevieve, Ramsey Nouah, Jim Iyke, Stella Damasus, RMD, Nkem Owoh, and one other person. We were eight—they just banned us.”