Entertainment
Omoni Oboli: How I Traded Scripts for Film Roles and Became a Director
Omoni Oboli, a well-known actress and filmmaker, recently shared the story of her early struggles in the Nigerian film industry, revealing how she traded her scripts for acting roles when starting her career.
In a candid interview on Radionow FM, she opened up about the challenges she faced and what eventually inspired her shift from acting to directing.
Omoni explained that in the beginning, she was so eager to be part of the industry that she often accepted acting roles in exchange for her written scripts, instead of being paid.
Reflecting on those early experiences, she shared, “I would offer my scripts in return for a role in the movie.
I would tell them, don’t worry about paying me, just give me a part in the film.”
While this allowed her to secure acting jobs, she soon noticed that the final productions were not aligning with her creative vision.
As a screenwriter, Omoni described how she visualized the stories she wrote in vivid detail.
However, after watching the finished movies, she realized that the films often looked very different from what she had imagined.
She acknowledged that each director has their unique style, saying, “It’s not that the movies weren’t good, but no two directors will bring a script to life in the same way.”
This gap between her vision and the final product fueled her desire to take control of the stories she was creating.
Omoni’s determination to preserve the authenticity of her scripts pushed her to become a director herself.
She realized that the only way to ensure her stories had her personal touch was to oversee the filmmaking process from start to finish.
“If my stories are going to have my DNA, then I have to be the one directing them,” she explained.
Though the thought of transitioning from actress to director was daunting, Omoni’s confidence in her abilities propelled her forward.
She recounted telling herself, “Warri no dey carry last,” a popular saying in Nigerian Pidgin that means people from Warri, her hometown, never back down from a challenge.
This motivated her to believe that she could succeed as a director. Determined to improve her skills, Omoni began studying the directors she worked with while on set, closely observing their techniques.
In addition to learning through observation, she recognized the need for formal training.
To strengthen her craft, Omoni enrolled in a short course at the prestigious New York Film Academy, where she gained deeper insights into the world of directing.
Her journey from trading scripts for acting roles to becoming a successful director is a testament to her resilience and dedication to mastering her craft.
The long-awaited trial in the murder case of legendary rapper Tupac Shakur has reached a major development, with Duane “Keffe D” Davis sentenced to 40 years to life in prison on October 13, 2026.
Davis was convicted of first-degree murder in August 2026 for his role in orchestrating the 1996 killing. Tupac was shot in a drive-by attack in Las Vegas on September 7, 1996, and died six days later.
During the sentencing, the judge addressed Davis, rejecting his claims that he had changed his life and moved on from his past. “Mr. Davis, for three years, I’ve heard you say some variation of the same thing to law enforcement, [in interviews], in your book, and it’s something like, ‘Yeah, I was involved in this, but I’m different. I’ve moved on. I got out of Compton. I’m a grandfather now.’ I’m here to tell you that’s not how this works,” the judge said.
She continued “You don’t get to take a man from his family. You don’t get to take his very life, his whole future from him, and just walk away from it. Especially when that man is Tupac Shakur.
“The world never forgot about him and his death, and neither did Las Vegas. It took us 30 years, but at this time, you are going to face justice for what you did on Sept. 7, 1996.”
Nollywood actor Timini Egbuson has reflected on how his perception of YouTube movies has changed over the years. The actor recalled that there was a time when he looked down on movies released on YouTube.
However, he now appreciates the opportunities they have provided for his career and joked that he might have struggled financially if he had continued to dismiss them.
Sharing his thoughts in a post on X, Egbuson wrote “Can’t believe I was looking down on YouTube movies at some point. Hunger go don kpai me by now.”
Nigerian singer Timi Dakolo has advised young people who are still living with their parents not to rush into moving out because of peer pressure.
The singer encouraged young people to focus on their personal circumstances rather than compare their lives with those of others. He noted that there is no need to leave their parents’ homes simply because they want to feel independent.
Sharing his advice, Dakolo said “No hurry, leave your papa house because of peer pressure. Forget all that, ‘I don’t have my freedom here.’”
Judge Tells Duane Davis He Must Face Justice for Tupac’s Murder
Timini Egbuson Reflects on Embracing YouTube Movies in Nollywood
