“Nollywood Isn’t Lacking in Originality” — Omoni Oboli Weighs In on Movie Criticisms
Actress and filmmaker Omoni Oboli has spoken up about common criticisms aimed at Nigerian films, particularly the claim that they’re too predictable. According to her, predictability isn’t a flaw exclusive to Nollywood — even Hollywood follows familiar formulas.
Speaking in an interview on Instablog9ja’s YouTube channel, Oboli pushed back against the narrative that Nollywood lacks creativity. She pointed out that many stories across global cinema follow similar patterns, especially in genres like romantic comedies and superhero flicks.
“People say our films are predictable, but tell me, how many Hollywood movies aren’t?” she said. “We all know the superhero saves the day. In rom-coms, we know how it ends — someone always gets the girl or guy. But that doesn’t stop us from watching.”
For Oboli, the real magic lies not in the ending, but in how the story is told.
“If a story is told well, even if you know where it’s headed, you still enjoy the journey. That’s what matters,” she explained.
She also praised Nollywood’s originality, saying Nigerian filmmakers bring fresh perspectives that sometimes outshine global counterparts.
“We have so many unique stories. In fact, I’d argue we have more original content than Hollywood,” she said confidently.
Touching on the global reach of Nollywood, Oboli shared insights from YouTube analytics that show widespread interest in Nigerian films across continents.
“It’s not just Nigerians or Africans tuning in. You’d be surprised at the countries where our movies are being watched. People everywhere are discovering and loving Nollywood.”
According to her, the growing global audience is proof that Nigerian storytelling is resonating far beyond its borders — and it’s only getting better.
