Actress and producer Sandra Okunzuwa has stirred conversation online after claiming that YouTube filmmakers now pay actors better than some cinema movie producers in Nigeria.

Speaking during an interview on the BTS Reality Show, Sandra explained that actors with strong audience appeal on YouTube are currently earning impressive fees for movie roles, especially as digital platforms continue to grow rapidly within Nollywood.

According to her, there was a time when many actors complained about poor pay during the peak of cinema productions and the early rise of streaming platforms like Netflix. However, she believes things are beginning to change, particularly for actors who can attract large numbers of viewers online.

Sandra revealed that some actors now receive between ₦4 million and ₦5 million for just a few days of shooting on YouTube productions. She noted that many YouTube filmmakers are willing to spend heavily on actors who can bring traffic, engagement, and loyal viewers to their channels.

During the conversation, she also referenced a previous interview involving a former Big Brother Naija star who disclosed that he paid actress Venita Akpofure ₦1 million to feature in an entire movie project. The interviewer reacted with surprise, questioning whether the amount was too small considering the actress reportedly spent nearly a month on set.

Reacting to the discussion, Sandra insisted that many YouTube productions now offer better financial deals than some traditional cinema projects. She explained that cinema films often operate with fixed budgets and lengthy production structures, while YouTube filmmakers tend to work faster and generate direct income through views, ads, and audience engagement.