In a firm defense of the Nigerian film industry’s distribution system, media mogul Mo Abudu has dismissed long-standing rumors of a “cinema cabal” that allegedly sabotages certain filmmakers. Speaking on ARISE TV on Saturday, February 7, 2026, the CEO of EbonyLife Group addressed recent social media outcries from producers who claim their movies are being unfairly sidelined.
Abudu clarified that cinema scheduling is governed by “pure business” and data, not sentiments or favoritism. She explained that with high operational costs—including electricity, air conditioning, and staff salaries—cinema owners simply cannot afford to keep underperforming films on the big screen. To prove that even the most powerful names in the industry are subject to these rules, she cited the example of her own daughter, Ted Abudu, whose directorial debut “A Night in 2005” was pulled from cinemas in late 2024 because it wasn’t meeting sales targets.
The debate has intensified following complaints from prominent filmmakers like Toyin Abraham, Niyi Akinmolayan, and Ini Edo, who have alleged “gatekeeping” and poor slot allocation during the busy December season. However, Abudu insisted that if a film fails to fill seats, it must “give way to the next film that can.” Her comments highlight the brutal economic reality of Nollywood’s theatrical landscape as it balances artistic ambition with a high-stakes return on investment.
