When Omotola Jalade Ekeinde made her film debut in 1995, Nollywood was still an emerging industry trying to establish itself. Now, three decades later, despite taking several intentional breaks, the mother of four has solidified her legacy as one of the key figures in Nigeria’s cinema boom. At 47, the screen icon is currently transitioning from acting to directing.
On September 6, 2025, at the recently concluded Toronto International Film Festival (TIFF), Ekeinde premiered her directorial debut, Mother’s Love, marking a significant change after her successful acting career.
During a conversation with Nollywood on Radio, Ekeinde opened up about her recent years-long hiatus and the important changes she believes are necessary for the future of the Nigerian movie industry.
“I am optimistic about Nollywood’s future. Honestly, I see a glorious future ahead. Back in 2013, I mentioned in an interview that I believed Nollywood would become the number one film industry in the world. People laughed at me and said we were still making poor-quality films. But now, it’s happening. Very soon, Nollywood will take its rightful position as the top film industry globally. There are many issues we need to address internally. That’s why I have been very vocal for a while now… I take breaks for my mental health, but I still do what I can to improve things.”
Ekeinde emphasized the need for structural changes, particularly within the actors’ union. “It starts with our guilds. I hope the Actors Guild of Nigeria (AGN) will unite; the politics within AGN are troubling. We need to come together, especially for the younger generation looking up to us.”
In discussing her directorial debut, Mother’s Love, Ekeinde pointed out its unexpectedly modest origins. “The movie was initially intended for YouTube, but it has now been showcased at the Toronto Film Festival. We had to make edits to fit it for cinema release, but currently, we are going through festival rounds.”