Why actors shouldn’t sign restrictive contracts, by Niyi Akinmolayan

Award-winning filmmaker Niyi Akinmolayan has publicly urged actors to stop accepting contractual clauses that prohibit them from promoting other local films, warning that such restrictions stifle the growth of Nollywood.

In a statement on social media, the CEO of Anthill Studios emphasised his understanding of actors’ financial needs while imploring them to reject deals that limit their ability to support multiple projects.

He highlighted Nollywood’s limited resources and positioned actors as essential contributors to the industry’s expansion, advising them against self-imposed limitations.

The statement came amid growing concerns over exclusivity clauses increasingly inserted into cinema and streaming deals.

These clauses typically bar actors from publicly supporting or appearing in promotional materials for competing Nigerian projects during a specified window, often for several weeks or months surrounding a film’s release.

Speaking to the economic reality facing most Nollywood actors, Akinmolayan acknowledged the pressure to accept such terms but argued that the long-term damage to the industry outweighs short-term financial gain.

He wrote, “Actors… I know you all need money. But please stop signing contracts that tell you not to promote other films you are in. Nollywood is not that rich (Far from it), and you are worth more… you are a part of the necessary ingredients for growth in the industry. Don’t stifle yourself.”