In a candid revelation that has sparked widespread reactions among fans and fellow creatives, popular Nigerian music video director ThankGod Omori Jesam, widely known as TG Omori, has opened up about the financial challenges he faced behind the glitz and glamour of directing some of the country’s biggest music videos.
During an interactive session with fans on the social platform X (formerly Twitter) on Tuesday, Omori disclosed that despite his reputation as one of Nigeria’s most sought-after cinematographers, he only began making profits from his work in 2023.
This shocking confession comes as a surprise to many, considering the high-profile nature of the artistes and music videos he has directed over the years.
Responding to a fan who asked how he balances production costs with making a profit, Omori revealed that for five years, he was buried in what he described as “bad production debt.” He explained that the constant demands of reshoots and underbudgeted projects often left him operating at a loss.
“I only started making profits in 2023. Every time I’m losing money from pick up shoots or something! Budget is never enough,” he wrote. “In fact, I was in bad production debt for five years. Just had to live with it. I was paying up and taking more to cover up.”
The 29-year-old director, who is known for his flamboyant style and distinctive visual storytelling, added that he was only able to clear his debts through the money earned from his growing brand and public personality — not directly from music video shoots.
“It’s a tough life for creatives. Hug a creative beside you today,” he added, in a heartfelt call for empathy towards professionals in the creative industry.
Ironically, Omori’s financial breakthrough came around the same time Nigerian superstar Davido revealed he paid the director a staggering N100 million to shoot the video for his hit single ‘Jowo’ — a figure later confirmed by Omori himself via social media.
TG Omori’s story is a striking reminder that fame does not always equal fortune — at least, not immediately. His openness has sparked conversations online about the need for better support structures, fairer compensation, and deeper appreciation for the work creatives do behind the scenes.
WHAT YOU SHOULD KNOW
Omori’s revelations shed light on the often-unseen financial struggles of creatives, even those at the top of their game. His experience underscores the harsh economic realities many Nigerian creatives face, especially when working in industries where budgeting and project financing are rarely straightforward.
As the entertainment industry in Nigeria continues to boom globally, Omori’s message echoes as a call to action for greater financial literacy, negotiation power, and systemic change in how the creative economy values its contributors.
