Veteran Nollywood actress Omotola Jalade Ekeinde has opened up about how she dealt with a ban imposed on her and several leading actors by film marketers in 2005.
Naija News reports that the award-winning actress spoke about the experience during an interview on Yanga FM Nigeria, describing the incident as a defining moment in her career.
Omotola revealed that the action affected eight prominent actors who were among the industry’s biggest stars at the time.
The affected individuals, she said, included herself, Genevieve Nnaji, Ramsey Nouah, Jim Iyke, Stella Damasus, Richard Mofe-Damijo, Nkem Owoh, and one other actor.
According to Omotola, the group was barred from working with certain movie marketers, a move that significantly reduced their opportunities to participate in film projects during that period.
She explained that the marketers accused the actors of negatively influencing the industry.
However, Omotola maintained that the restriction stemmed from their collective push for improved quality and higher professional standards in filmmaking—an agenda she said did not sit well with some of those who controlled production and distribution at the time.
The actress noted that the duration of the ban varied among those affected.
She disclosed that while some of the actors were gradually reintegrated into the industry after about a year, her own ban lasted much longer.
Omotola attributed the prolonged restriction to her decision to miss a meeting convened by the marketers to resolve the dispute.
She said her absence at the meeting further worsened her relationship with those responsible for the ban.
Rather than remain inactive during the period, Omotola said she chose to channel her energy into other ventures.
She ventured into music and released her first album, using the hiatus from acting to explore another creative outlet.
In addition, she focused on business interests outside the entertainment industry, paying closer attention to her investments and engaging in property-related ventures.
According to her, the experience allowed her to grow in other areas and remain productive despite the setback in her acting career.
Reflecting on the episode, Omotola said the challenge pushed her to explore new opportunities instead of dwelling on circumstances beyond her control, adding that the ban did not hinder her progress.
Recounting the incident, she said, “The first 8 were me, Genevieve, Ramsey Nouah, Jim Iyke, Stella Damasus, RMD, Nkem Owoh, and one other person. We were 8, they just banned us.”