In Nollywood, Damilola Oni is redefining what it takes to be a ‘Yoruba film’ creator in the digital age. The actress-turned-producer was in Nollywood On Radio recently and spoke on her passion for acting, patriotic storytelling, and ‘knowing your onions’ as the ultimate keys to staying power. ROTIMI IGE brings excerpts.
At what point did you realise that being in front of the camera was not enough and that you needed to own a piece of Nollywood to tell better stories?
I got to a point in my career where I realised I would love to change the narrative. I then realised that I needed to be a pioneer of that change. Until you are actively in the decision-making space—until you are at the table where decisions are being made—it is difficult to get a piece of the cake. I needed to be part of the decisions and discussions in Nollywood, and that spurred me to become a part of that change and grab the bull by the horns.
Since you started producing your own films, have you been able to make those changes?
Absolutely. There was a time when Nollywood was known for mediocre films, or you could predict storylines from the beginning to the end. There was a time when the picture quality was not great, and people were complaining about everything from titles to costumes and the like. By the time I became a producer, I had to be more detailed. I had to dot my ‘i’s and cross my ‘t’s. I use quality cameras to shoot my films. I have to tell good stories that portray us as good people, a strong community, and patriotic Nigerians. Since I started production, I have been able to incorporate those changes, and it has changed the narrative—especially in Yoruba films. I am proud of the progress. This is why Yoruba films are now being recommended as “must-watches” on social media. There are names that are consistently mentioned, and by the grace of God, mine is one of those names whose films are highly recommended.
Producing quality films requires funding. How do you source funds as a producer?
We all pray that when we work, we have enough to satisfy our own wants. In the past, you could make quality films and still break even or make some profit. Now, Nollywood is changing. Even with a great film, breaking even is by the grace of God. Now you have to shoot promotional content, spend a lot on marketing, and more. People now recognise quality and expect more. Even with a ready audience that consumes my work because they know I’ll deliver, I still have to combine earnings from acting, influencing, and producing to fund my projects. It’s not just about money; it’s also about creativity and passion.
Does your audience influence the kind of films you make, especially with analytics from YouTube?
Honestly, for me, it’s not about trends or analytics. I focus on telling stories that reflect cultural values and Nigerian history. Most times, it is not the analytics that spur me to write or make films. It is what I feel society needs or what my passion drives me to write. Most times, it works for me when I follow my passion.
As a beautiful actress admired by many, do you feel some fans, particularly males, focus more on your looks than your talent?
I don’t think so. While people may acknowledge my looks, I feel like people know what is good and can see value. People can tell when it is about the passion for the craft, the creativity, and the career itself rather than the person doing it. Of course, there is time for “cruising” and all, but aside from that, every single time people talk about me on social media, I notice that they acknowledge that I am attractive, but they also acknowledge that I know my onions and am passionate about my career.
You studied the Yoruba language in school. Did you think it would be useful in your career?
Yes. Acting has always been a passion for me since my childhood. Every decision I have made has been a step towards that dream. I wanted to study Theatre Arts, but at the point of entry into the university, my father said no. In his defense, he told me that even those who did not study Theatre are doing well in the industry, and if I truly wanted that, I could still achieve it. Studying the Yoruba Language was for the love of arts and culture. It has helped me greatly, as it gives producers and directors confidence in my ability to deliver roles, especially in epic films.
Have you ever felt that you might not fit into certain roles, like the ‘lover girl’ type in English Nollywood?
No, I don’t think so. I actually get gigs to play the “lover girl” quite a lot.