Sandra Okunzuwa Says She Never Faced Sex-for-Roles in Nollywood

Sandra Okunzuwa is speaking candidly about one of Nollywood’s most debated topics—and her experience is different from what many might expect.

According to Jermaine Media, the actress revealed that she has never encountered pressure to exchange sex for movie roles since entering the Nigerian film industry. While stories of sexual harassment have surfaced over the years, Okunzuwa said she has not personally faced such situations during her career.

The Benin City-born actress made it clear that her experience does not invalidate the claims of others. Instead, she stressed that no producer has ever demanded a sexual relationship in return for a role.

Okunzuwa did, however, recall an early encounter with a director who expressed romantic interest in her. The filmmaker, whom she described as unmarried, approached her about a serious relationship that could eventually lead to marriage.

At the time, she was focused on building her career and was not considering marriage. She declined the proposal, but the decision did not affect their professional relationship. The pair continued working together on several projects afterward.

Beyond the conversation around harassment, Okunzuwa also shared her thoughts on the business side of Nollywood. The actress believes digital platforms—especially YouTube—have transformed earning opportunities for actors and filmmakers.

Since moving into YouTube film production in December 2024, she says the economics of filmmaking have changed significantly. Projects that once required budgets of between five and six million naira and delivered strong returns now face a different reality.

Audience expectations have risen sharply, driven by viewers who increasingly demand production quality comparable to what they see on Netflix. As a result, filmmakers are spending more money to meet those standards.

According to Okunzuwa, producing a single film can now cost between 15 and 20 million naira. Talent fees have also increased, with some actors reportedly charging as much as five million naira for a four-day shoot.

Her comments offer a glimpse into a Nollywood industry that is rapidly evolving. While conversations about harassment continue, the actress says another major shift is happening behind the scenes: the race to create bigger, better productions for a digital-first audience that expects world-class content.