Mo Abudu, CEO of EbonyLife Group, has dismissed claims that a cabal exists in Nollywood colluding with cinema owners to block certain films from screening slots.
The allegations, widely discussed on social media, suggest that some films are removed from schedules, replaced with other titles, or that cinema staff persuade audiences to switch movies after tickets have been purchased.
Speaking on ARISE Television, Abudu insisted that cinema operations are guided strictly by business realities and audience demand, not favoritism or personal ties.
While actress Omotola Jalade Ekeinde acknowledged that such complaints are common in the industry, Abudu maintained that these practices do not occur at EbonyLife Cinemas.
“We run a professional business. Our return on investment depends heavily on ensuring people are seated in every cinema,” she said.
She explained that cinemas adjust screening schedules based on turnout, stressing that it makes no commercial sense to deliberately restrict films.
Read Also: Gospel legend Ron Kenoly passes away at 81
Abudu noted that operational costs such as electricity and staff salaries require cinemas to prioritize films that attract audiences.
“If your film has only two or three people in a 100-seater cinema, by the next week we are going to have a conversation. That time slot can no longer really work,” she added.
To illustrate her point, Abudu referenced a film produced by her daughter, Temidayo Abudu, which was pulled from cinemas due to poor attendance.
“There is no sentiment. Even if I make a film and it doesn’t fill seats, it will give way to another that does,” she said.
Her comments come amid growing tension between filmmakers and cinema operators, especially during the busy December season. Toyin Abraham recently alleged that cinemas falsely declared her film Oversabi Aunty sold out and gave it poor screening times.
Filmmaker Niyi Akinmolayan accused cinemas of collecting ticket revenue without showing his film Colours of Fire, while Ini Edo described her first experience as a producer as exhausting, citing “gatekeeping and intimidation.”
Abudu emphasized that decisions are purely business-driven, not personal, and apply equally to all producers regardless of status.
