Omotola Reveals 2005 Nollywood Ban: “Pushing for Standards Got Us Blacklisted”

Veteran Nollywood actress and director Omotola Jalade-Ekeinde has opened up about being banned by movie marketers in 2005 alongside other top actors, including Genevieve Nnaji, Ramsey Nouah, and Jim Iyke, over their push for higher filmmaking standards.

Speaking on Yanga FM, Omotola said the group was labelled a “bad influence” in the industry because they demanded better quality and professionalism, which angered some marketers at the time. She explained that the initial ban affected eight prominent actors, including Stella Damasus, Richard Mofe-Damijo, and Nkem Owoh.

While some of the banned actors were later reinstated after attending a reconciliation meeting, Omotola said her restriction lasted longer because she refused to attend the meeting. During the period, she shifted her focus to other creative and business pursuits, releasing her first music album and investing in property.

Reflecting on the experience, Omotola described the ban as a turning point that helped her discover new passions beyond acting, particularly directing and entrepreneurship. She noted that while she still enjoys acting, she now prioritizes projects with strong scripts that truly inspire her.