There’s a certain silence that surrounds Omotola Jalade-Ekeinde when she disappears from the screen — a silence filled with mystery, whispers, and questions. But now, the 47-year-old Nollywood legend has finally opened up about why.
In a raw and revealing interview on Nollywood on Radio, the mother of four peeled back the curtain on her recurring disappearances from the spotlight. “I take breaks for my mental health,” she confessed, her voice steady yet heavy with experience. “I still do what I can to make things better, but sometimes… you need to breathe.”
Omotola, who made her debut back in 1995 and recently premiered her directorial debut, Mother’s Love, at the Toronto International Film Festival, spoke with the passion of a woman who’s seen it all — the glitz, the chaos, the politics.
“I said it years ago — Nollywood will become the number one film industry in the world,” she recalled. “People laughed at me then… they said we were shooting rubbish. But look now — it’s happening.”
Still, she didn’t hold back from addressing the cracks within the system. “The politics in AGN is appalling,” she said firmly. “We need structure. We need to unionize. We can’t inspire the younger generation if we’re not even united ourselves.”
Her words weren’t just a confession — they were a call to arms. A reminder that behind the glamour lies a woman constantly fighting for balance, purpose, and a better Nollywood.
And as Mother’s Love continues to make waves at international festivals, one thing is clear — Omotola Jalade-Ekeinde may take breaks, but she never truly leaves. She returns every time — stronger, louder, and more unstoppable than before.
WHY OMOTOLA KEEPS WALKING AWAY FROM FAME
BY MARYJANE NWANKWO
