Let’s talk about what’s really shaking Nollywood right now—not a film premiere, not a new wave of storytelling—but a union standoff that’s putting the entire industry on edge. This isn’t just a squabble about money; it’s a full-blown crisis over accountability, safety, and respect for the people who bring Nigeria’s stories to life. And at the center of it all is the Nollywood union dues row—a deepening standoff that has led members of the Actors Guild of Nigeria (AGN) to consider shutting down productions nationwide.
Now, before we get into the mechanics of what’s happening, you need to understand that this isn’t theoretical drama. In April 2024, Nollywood lost actor Junior Pope and three crew members when their boat capsized on the River Niger while heading to a shoot. Then in April 2025, two more actors collapsed and died in Owerri after allegedly consuming poisoned refreshments on set. No emergency support. No insurance coverage. No accountability. Those deaths became a tipping point.
For years, actors have operated in a loosely governed structure. Productions run fast, tight, and cheap. But that efficiency has come at a human cost. The AGN has been pushing to fix that with a formal union structure—complete with dues, licensing, and strict safety requirements. But not everyone is on board, and the pushback has turned from resistance to outright revolt.
So here we are: the actors are threatening to halt work. Major producers are scrambling. And the public, while supportive of reforms, is worried that a shutdown could paralyze Nigeria’s most influential entertainment engine.
This article breaks it all down. We’ll explore how we got here, what the AGN is really demanding, why so many actors are fed up, and what a production shutdown would actually mean for Nollywood’s future. No spin. No fluff. Just hard facts and informed context on a story that’s about more than union dues—it’s about dignity, survival, and the future of creative labour in Africa’s largest film industry.
Understanding the Actors Guild of Nigeria (AGN)
Foundations and Scope
Founded in 1998, the Actors Guild of Nigeria began as a professional association to advocate for screen actors in Nollywood, aiming to foster professionalism and safeguard members’ interests. Over the years, its reach has grown remarkably, now boasting over two million registered actors spread across Nigeria’s 36 states plus the Federal Capital Territory, grouped into six geopolitical zones. That makes it Africa’s largest actors’ organisation.
Mission and Governance
The AGN’s charter sets out clear goals: elevating working conditions and pay, providing legal support and mediation, fostering training through workshops, collaborating with global bodies, lobbying for policies that support actors, and offering welfare benefits like HMO coverage, maternity aid, and funeral grants.
Organisationally, it’s structured with a National Executive Council led by the President and six Zonal Vice Presidents; state chapters each with their own executive; and a Body of Trustees that ensures ethical governance.
Leadership: Emeka Rollas
At the heart of the Guild’s transformation drive is Emeka Rollas, National President since August 2017 and re‑elected in November 2022. His focus has been on shifting the AGN from a loose association to a structured labour union. Under his leadership, the Guild has pushed for actor licensing, formal contracts, residuals, and royalties—mirroring Hollywood and South African systems—and launched a diverse leadership team including special advisers on occupational safety, insurance, welfare, and intellectual property.
Digital Transformation
In early 2025, the AGN announced plans to modernise through technology. From March, guild activities—from fee payments to registration—have shifted onto its super app. And on June 28, 2025, they launched a dedicated mobile app and opened a new national secretariat in Abuja to connect members, facilitate auditions, promote safe working environments, and manage licensing. This isn’t just digital marketing; it’s the backbone for verifying who is licensed, dues‑compliant, and covered under guild protections.
In short: the AGN is no longer a loose collective. It’s a sovereign union with legal ambition, membership spanning millions, a tech‑driven infrastructure, and bold governance. This is essential context—because the current dues dispute isn’t just about money. It’s about how Nollywood redefines itself: will it protect its actors, or continue risking their safety?
What Triggered the “Union Dues Row”?
Let’s dive deeper into the specific sparks that ignited this union dues row. It wasn’t a sudden clash, but a culmination of safety lapses, financial vulnerability, and growing demand for professionalism.
Tragedies as Turning Points
In April 2024, actor Junior Pope, along with three crew members, tragically drowned during a shoot in Asaba. Investigations later revealed he wasn’t a dues‑paying AGN member, a gap which meant his colleagues could not pursue legal claims or insurance support.
That tragedy was followed in April 2025 by a second horrific incident in Owerri, Imo State, where two actors collapsed and died after allegedly consuming poisoned refreshments on set. AGN President Emeka Rollas noted again that these victims were also not registered or dues‑compliant. He described the recurring pattern of annual death tolls as disturbing, attributing it to negligent and unsafe filming environments.
These tragedies served as flashpoints—elevating concerns about who gets protection, who is left exposed, and why a structured safety net matters.
AGN’s Push for Unionization: Licensing, Dues & Protection
In response, Rollas has championed a transformation:
• Transform the AGN from an association into a formal labour union, empowered to negotiate wages, enforce safety protocols, and legally represent its members
• Introduce actor licensing, role‑based contracts, residuals, and royalties, following global practices
• Model membership benefits on a labour union approach—where paying dues guarantees access to medical, legal, and welfare support
Mandatory Dues: Who Pays and Who Bail?
This shift means dues are required—but that has sparked pushback:
Rollas argues payment is necessary; letters of recommendation for foreign embassies now require current AGN dues. Membership is no longer symbolic—it’s tied to benefits. But some actors resist, citing irregular incomes, high living costs, and the absence of visible immediate returns.
Concerns are also being raised about the leadership style of Rollas, with critics questioning the transparency around fee utilisation—underscored by an incident in January 2025 when Rollas was arrested following allegations of imposing unelected state leadership.
At the core, this dispute is a fundamental clash over what Nollywood should be: an informal free‑for‑all, or a regulated professional workspace where every actor is insured, contract‑protected, and union‑backed.
Why Actors Are Considering a Shutdown
This isn’t idle talk—Nollywood actors are seriously talking about pressing pause on all production, and the reasons cut deep.
Safety Concerns on Unregulated Sets
The April 2024 drowning of Junior Pope and the April 2025 poisoning in Owerri highlight glaring system failures. AGN President Emeka Rollas has publicly emphasised that deaths keep happening when actors work outside the guild. He repeatedly warned that “content creators have to be licensed”.
Financial Vulnerability and No Support Network
Unregistered actors who suffer accidents have no legal recourse, no insurance payout, and no welfare backup. With no residuals or royalties, illness or tragedy can wipe out their livelihood.
A Leveraging Tactic for Reform
By threatening a shutdown, actors are sending a message: no dues, no protection—no work. Only AGN membership guarantees licensing, legal backing, HMO access, and on‑set accident insurance.
Accountability and Transparency
Many actors distrust where dues go. Allegations about fee misuse and cronyism erode trust. A shutdown could force the AGN to increase transparency and ensure dues deliver real protection.
Ultimately, the shutdown threat is shaped by a deeper conflict: union vision versus status quo risk. Actors are saying: without collective protection, no performance.
The Union Dues Debate – What’s at Stake?
The union dues row is a battleground for Nollywood’s future. Actors are weighing the cost of dues against promises of protection, while leadership pushes reform.
Why Dues Are Essential
• Fund safety and welfare: cover insurance, legal aid, healthcare, and training
• Support licensing and regulation: ensure qualified professionals and enforce standards
• Increase global recognition: attract investment, open doors internationally, enhance credibility
Why Some Actors Resist
• Financial constraints: irregular incomes make dues a burden
• Distrust in leadership: past allegations reduce confidence in fee management
• Fear of exclusion: licensing could limit access to work
Balancing the Scales
Need transparency on fund usage
Offer affordable or phased dues for early‑career actors
Communicate the benefits clearly to build trust
Potential Impact of a Production Shutdown
Immediate Halt to Film and Television Productions
A shutdown would lead to suspension of ongoing projects, causing delays in film releases and television programming. Cancellation of scheduled shoots would impact both major productions and independent films. Disruption of post‑production activities, including editing, sound design, and visual effects, would affect the entire production pipeline, from pre‑production planning to final delivery.
Economic Consequences for Industry Stakeholders
Actors and crew members would face loss of income due to halted projects. Producers and production companies would experience financial strain from delayed or canceled productions. Vendors and service providers supplying equipment, costumes, and other production necessities would be impacted. Distribution channels, including television networks and streaming platforms, would face a shortage of new content, affecting programming schedules.
Public and Industry Response
The shutdown would likely lead to increased public awareness of the issues at the heart of the dispute, including safety concerns and the need for better regulation. Potential support from fans and advocacy groups may align with actors’ demands for improved working conditions. Pressure on government and regulatory bodies could grow to intervene and address the underlying issues within the industry.
Long-Term Implications for Nollywood
In the long run, a shutdown could accelerate reforms within the industry, leading to the establishment of better safety standards and regulatory frameworks. It could encourage the formation of stronger unions and associations that effectively represent the interests of actors and other stakeholders. Ultimately, it could enhance the professionalism of Nollywood, aligning it more closely with international standards.
Industry-Wide Implications – A Crossroads for Nollywood
Informality vs. Professionalism
Nollywood has long thrived on a culture of informality. Independent producers often operate without formal contracts, safety protocols, or insurance. While this flexibility has fueled rapid growth, it has also led to unregulated working conditions, increasing the risk of accidents and exploitation, lack of standardized compensation leaving actors vulnerable to unfair pay, and absence of legal protections, making it difficult for actors to seek redress in case of disputes. The push for unionization by the AGN aims to address these issues by introducing structure and accountability into the industry.
Governance and Leadership Challenges
The AGN’s efforts to restructure have faced controversy. An arrest in January 2025 of AGN’s president highlighted internal power struggles, undermining the guild’s credibility and causing perceptions of a lack of transparency in leadership decision‑making.
Regulatory Oversight and Industry Standards
The deaths of actors have underscored the urgent need for regulatory oversight. The AGN is calling for licensing of content creators, implementation of safety standards, and establishment of legal frameworks to provide actors with recourse in case of grievances. Without such measures, Nollywood risks continuing a cycle of preventable tragedies.
Economic Impact and Sustainability
The ongoing dispute over union dues has economic implications. Potential production shutdowns could lead to financial losses for producers and other industry stakeholders, loss of income for actors and crew members during periods of inactivity, and diminished international partnerships, as global investors may hesitate to engage with an industry lacking stability and regulation. Addressing these concerns through structured reforms could enhance Nollywood’s economic viability.
Global Perception and Industry Reputation
Nollywood’s reputation on the global stage is at stake. The industry’s ability to attract international collaborations, showcase Nigerian talent in global markets, and maintain ethical standards and professionalism is contingent upon internal reforms and adherence to industry best practices.
Industry & Public Reactions
Producers & Industry Associations Respond
Producers are watching closely. Many rely on a sprawling ecosystem of freelance crews and talent, and sudden mandates for licensing and union dues threaten their operating model. While there’s recognition that standards are needed, there’s pushback from industry associations concerned about cost increases and collaboration complications.
Fans, Public Sentiment & Media Coverage
For many Nigerians, this conflict is deeply personal. Support for strict dues stems from sympathy for tragedies and a desire for actor safety. Social media sentiment largely backs the need for regulation, although there are concerns about delays or increased content costs.
AGN’s Communication & Public Messaging
AGN leadership is positioning the guild as a defender of actor welfare—calling for unity, issuing public statements pledging better safety and benefits, and launching digital tools and a national secretariat to reinforce transparency and accountability.
Government & Regulatory Stance
Although no major regulatory intervention has occurred yet, government and film authorities are closely monitoring the situation, with early discussions around formalising safety regulations on film sets and collaborating with AGN to craft official standards for production safety, licensing, and reimbursement mechanisms.
What Comes Next? A Roadmap to Resolution
Digital Infrastructure & Member Services
AGN has rolled out its super app and a new mobile app (launched June 28, 2025) and opened its national secretariat in Abuja. These tools enable members to pay dues, manage licenses, access auditions, explore training programs, and engage with welfare services like HMO and insurance—adding transparency, tracking, and accountability.
Transparency Commitments & Fee Structure
To build trust, AGN plans to publish detailed fee breakdowns, offer flexible payment options for early‑career actors, and commission independent audits to show how dues are allocated.
Tripartite Negotiations with Producers & Regulators
AGN will convene producer representatives and regulatory bodies to negotiate fair licensing terms, fee exemptions for smaller productions, and mandatory safety standards enforced via film permits and insurance requirements.
Safety Protocols & Certification
The Guild is expanding initiatives like Junior Pope Safety Day and the Walk for Life campaign, and introducing bylaws requiring first‑aid certification, medics on set, and production risk assessments—aiming to professionalise safety in filmmaking.
Global Collaboration & Investment
AGN has engaged SAG‑AFTRA for global best‑practice insights, and will participate in the Nollywood & African Films Investment Summit (July 2025), AGN International Festival (November), and Screen Awards (December) to demonstrate its reformed, structured approach to international partners.
Phased Rollout & Performance Metrics
The plan is to adopt a three‑phase model over several years—starting with digital adoption and safety certifications, moving into licensing enforcement, and culminating in full implementation of residual systems and union negotiation rights. Key performance indicators will track dues compliance, certified productions, incident rates, and welfare payouts.
A Crucial Turning Point for Nollywood
Recapping the Stakes
Tragedies in 2024 and 2025 exposed systemic failures. AGN’s vision of dues, licensing, and welfare mirrors global standards, but trust and transparency are essential to build buy‑in. A shutdown shows actor determination but risks industry paralysis. Signs of compromise include digital tools, transparency measures, stakeholder negotiations, and regulatory alignment.
Why This Moment Matters
Actor safety is non‑negotiable—it’s about dignity and sustainability. Trust in union governance can build a credible, resilient industry body. Global competitiveness depends on professionalism, union compliance, and investor confidence.
Final Thought
The next moves are pivotal. AGN must deliver transparent services and fulfill safety commitments. Producers must engage in good faith. Regulators need to enforce for the greater good. If executed well, this crisis can become a renaissance, transforming Nollywood from informal hustle to a global creative powerhouse. Nigerian actors deserve nothing less.
