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Seasoned Nollywood actress Omotola Jalade Ekeinde has revealed details regarding the ban that movie marketers placed on her and several prominent actors in 2005.

In a Yanga FM Nigeria interview, Omotola characterized the episode as a pivotal moment in her career that transformed her perspective on life and work.

She clarified that the prohibition impacted eight of Nollywood’s biggest stars at the time, including Genevieve Nnaji, Ramsey Nouah, Jim Iyke, Stella Damasus, Richard Mofe-Damijo, Nkem Owoh, and one additional actor.

Due to the restriction, they were prohibited from collaborating with specific film marketers, which greatly reduced their participation in film projects at that time.

As stated by Omotola, the marketers alleged that the actors had a detrimental effect on the industry.

She explained, “They banned some of us at that time. Marketers said we too get wahala because we dey try better the industry then, and that our wahala too much—that we are a bad influence on the industry because we dey push for standards.”

Nonetheless, she maintained that the real problem lay in their advocacy for greater professionalism, higher standards, and improved quality in filmmaking—an initiative that was said to conflict with the interests of those who controlled production and distribution.

Although some actors were reinstated after roughly a year, Omotola’s ban endured for a longer period.

She stated that her prolonged exclusion stemmed from her choice to skip a reconciliation meeting set up by the marketers, which aggravated an already strained relationship.

In spite of the setback, she refused to be idle.

She entered the music world with her debut album and concentrated on business, especially investments and real estate.

Looking back on the experience, she remarked that the ban had ultimately motivated her to seek new avenues instead of fixating on factors she could not influence. She also noted that it did not hinder her career advancement.

Recounting the incident, she said, “The first eight were me, Genevieve, Ramsey Nouah, Jim Iyke, Stella Damasus, RMD, Nkem Owoh, and one other person. We were eight—they just banned us.”

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