Eniola Ajao Explains Why She Took Loans And Sold Assets To Produce Movies

OpenLife reports that Nollywood actress and producer Eniola Ajao has shared the financial challenges she faced while producing her cinema films, revealing the personal sacrifices she made to bring her creative vision to the screen.

Speaking on the Spill Thells podcast, Ajao disclosed that producing a film in Nigeria often demands extreme commitment.

She revealed that she sold both her cars and a piece of land to raise funds for her project, describing the move as “a necessary risk driven by my passion for filmmaking.”
She also received a loan of ₦8 million from actor Odunlade Adekola, which helped her complete production.

Ajao used the discussion to shed light on long-standing industry challenges, particularly with traditional marketers. She explained that producers often invested heavily in films but received little return after handing over their projects. “Many marketers would claim films did not generate significant revenue while benefiting more than the creators themselves,” she said.

She noted that the rise of digital platforms and streaming services has provided filmmakers with alternative distribution options, though promotion remains a persistent challenge. To address this, Ajao said she regularly creates online content to sustain audience interest after a film’s initial release.

Beyond funding and marketing, she emphasized the importance of expanding cinema infrastructure across Nigeria to increase audience reach and revenue.

Reflecting on her achievements, Ajao highlighted the success of her debut cinema film, Beast of Two Worlds (Ajakaju), which grossed over ₦101 million within its first five days in 2024 and eventually surpassed ₦200 million. Her second film, Owambe Thieves (2025), further established her as a growing force in Nollywood’s cinema landscape.