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Nollywood actress Scarlet Gomez has spoken out against what she described as widespread exploitation within the Nigerian film industry, calling on producers and other industry stakeholders to improve the treatment of actors and production crew members.
The actress expressed concern over the working conditions creatives experience while working on movie sets, highlighting issues such as inadequate rest, poor remuneration, insufficient welfare provisions and delayed payments.
Scarlet shared her position in a lengthy statement on Instagram on Thursday, November 12, 2026, where she drew attention to the difficulties that often remain hidden behind the glamour associated with the entertainment industry.
According to her, actors, directors and other production workers frequently spend extremely long hours filming, sometimes continuing until 6 a.m., only to be expected back on set a few hours later.
She questioned the practice of demanding such exhausting schedules from workers without providing adequate time for recovery, arguing that creatives should not have to compromise their health to fulfil professional responsibilities.
The actress also highlighted concerns about the welfare of production workers, alleging that some are made to work without proper meals or suitable accommodation.
She further noted that individuals who fall ill while working on productions sometimes receive little attention, while payments for completed jobs can take months to arrive.
Scarlet argued that the situation becomes more difficult because many creatives are afraid to challenge unfair treatment. She explained that workers who request better pay, sufficient rest or basic welfare provisions risk being labelled difficult, unprofessional or demanding.
According to her, some producers allegedly threaten not to employ actors and crew members again when they raise concerns about working conditions.
She also criticised the competition among creatives, particularly those who deliberately lower their professional rates to secure jobs, describing such practices as harmful to collective efforts to improve industry standards.
Reflecting on the experiences of older generations in Nollywood, Scarlet questioned whether enduring poor working conditions had necessarily translated into financial security or improved circumstances for many industry veterans.
She suggested that some creatives had spent years working under similar conditions without experiencing meaningful improvements, while others benefited financially from their labour.
Despite her criticism, the actress acknowledged that some producers treat their workers fairly, provide adequate facilities and ensure that everyone receives appropriate compensation.
She maintained that such practices should become standard across the industry rather than being considered special treatment.
Scarlet encouraged actors, filmmakers and crew members to support colleagues who speak against unfair practices instead of criticising or abandoning them. She urged creatives to stop undermining one another and collectively demand better working conditions.
The actress concluded her message by emphasising that entertainment professionals have personal lives and responsibilities outside their jobs, adding that producing quality films should never require workers to sacrifice their health and dignity.
Scarlet Gomez is widely recognised for portraying the lead character in Showmax's Nigerian telenovela Wura. Her performance earned her a nomination for Best Actress in a Drama, Movie or TV Series at the 2023 Africa Magic Viewers' Choice Awards.
Her latest comments have brought renewed attention to conversations about workers' welfare, fair compensation and professional standards in Nollywood.
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