Cinema Earnings Shock: Omotola Explains How a ₦103m Gross Turned into ₦22m

Omotola Jalade-Ekeinde (Nigerian actress and former model)

Nollywood actress and filmmaker Omotola Jalade-Ekeinde has disclosed that her movie, A Mother’s Love, generated ₦103,094,633 during its theatrical run, but yielded just ₦22 million in net returns to the production team after standard distribution fees and operational deductions.

The filmmaker shared these figures in a recently posted online video, providing a detailed breakdown of the movie's box office performance and the financial realities of cinema distribution in Nigeria.

The actress explained that the film’s total cinema gross was significantly reduced following deductions by exhibitors and distributors, alongside costs for Print and Advertising (P&A), Value Added Tax (VAT), entertainment tax, withholding tax, and other operational expenses.

“At the end of our run, we had made N103,094,633,” Omotola said, explaining that after the various deductions, the amount accrued to the producers was N22 million.

She further revealed that 100 percent of the ₦22 million net proceeds were donated to Slum to School—an organization supporting children in underserved communities—in fulfillment of a pledge made by Red Hot Concepts.

Reflecting on her cinema experience, Omotola said the movie’s final cinema run was on April 19, describing the experience as challenging but rewarding.

The filmmaker noted that she ultimately withdrew the movie from theatres due to pressing personal matters, as she did not want the film to remain in cinemas without her active presence to promote it and engage with audiences. She added that producers are expected to be heavily involved in marketing their films during theatrical runs, calling it an unexpected challenge.

A Mother’s Love had previously drawn widespread attention at its Lagos premiere, which was attended by prominent figures including former President Olusegun Obasanjo, alongside industry personalities Rita Dominic, Toke Makinwa, and Nosa Rex.