Media mogul Mo Abudu has strongly rejected claims that a secretive group within Nollywood colludes with cinemas to block screening slots for certain films.
Recent complaints from filmmakers and audiences on social media have alleged that movies are unfairly pulled from schedules, replaced, or that cinema staff steer ticket-holders toward different films.
Speaking on ARISE Television, Abudu, CEO of EbonyLife Group, stated that cinema operations are dictated solely by commercial viability and audience demand, not by personal connections or bias.
Although veteran actress Omotola Jalade Ekeinde noted that such grievances are common in the industry, Abudu insisted these practices do not occur at her EbonyLife Cinemas.
“I can only speak for EbonyLife Cinemas—it’s not true. We run a professional business. Our revenue depends on filling seats,” Abudu explained.
She emphasized that it would be illogical for cinemas to intentionally limit successful screenings. With five cinemas and roughly 900 showings monthly, Abudu stated there is ample opportunity for films to be screened.
She clarified that schedules are regularly adjusted based on ticket sales. If a film fails to draw an audience, its time slot may be given to a more popular title to cover operational costs like electricity and staffing.
“There is no sentiment in the cinema space,” Abudu said, highlighting that even a film produced by her own daughter was removed due to poor performance.
Her comments arrive amid heightened tensions between filmmakers and cinema operators, especially during Nigeria’s busy December film season.
Other filmmakers, including Toyin Abraham and Niyi Akinmolayan, have recently accused cinemas of unfair practices such as misreporting ticket sales and assigning inconvenient screening times.
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