Omoni Oboli Defends Nollywood: "Hollywood Is Predictable Too"
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| Omoni Oboli |
Nollywood actress and filmmaker, Omoni Oboli, has responded to frequent criticism that Nigerian films are too predictable, arguing that predictability is not exclusive to Nollywood and should not be viewed negatively in storytelling.
Speaking during an interview with Instablog9ja on YouTube, Oboli challenged audiences to look beyond plot outcomes and focus instead on the quality of the storytelling journey.
> “People say, ‘Oh, these movies are predictable.’ But tell me—how many Hollywood movies aren’t? We all know the superhero is going to win. In romantic comedies, the guy always gets the girl,” she said.
“It’s About the Journey, Not the Ending”
Oboli explained that what matters most in filmmaking is how engaging the journey is, not whether the ending surprises the viewer.
> “If a movie feels predictable, it’s usually because the journey didn’t captivate you. If the storytelling is rich and immersive, you won’t care that you know how it ends,” she noted.
Nollywood’s Strength Lies in Original Stories
The director also praised Nollywood’s creative depth, arguing that Nigeria has more original narratives than many other film industries, including Hollywood.
“Stories have never been our problem. I actually believe we have more original stories here in Nigeria than they do in Hollywood,” she asserted.
Oboli highlighted how Nigerian films are gaining international traction, citing YouTube viewership data that shows audiences from unexpected countries are increasingly drawn to Nollywood content.
“Sometimes, you see viewers from countries you wouldn’t even expect. And it’s not just Nigerians in the diaspora—non-Africans are watching too,” she said.
As Nollywood continues to expand its global footprint, Oboli urged critics to appreciate the industry’s growth and storytelling richness, rather than dismiss it based on formulaic conclusions.
