Lydia Lawrence-Nze: On building a legacy, owning her story, and the making of Only Good Films

There is a particular kind of woman who, at some point in her career, stops waiting to be handed the right opportunity or to be seen by the right person. She has put in the work, earned the recognition, built the relationships, and now she’s ready to take control of her story.

 

Lydia Lawrence-Nze is not new to this. She started off producing films and spent time on sets as an actress; this gave her the experience she needed to stand on her own two feet. She watched, she learned, and she built the audacity to take full authority of her work. With the launch of Only Good Films and its debut feature “For Better or Worse”— a film she stars in and produces — Lawrence-Nze has stepped decisively from one side of the camera to both sides at once. She is measured and assured, the kind of woman who knows exactly what she wants. 

 

“For Better or Worse”, written by Sanniye Alasia, produced by Vincent Nwachukwu and directed by Jide Jblaze Oyegbile, refuses to play it safe. At its centre is Lawrence-Nze delivering a performance that is intimate and unflinching — anchoring a story that dares to ask difficult questions about love, representation, marriage and what it truly costs a woman to live her truth.

 

She is also, for the record, a self-described local champion who still dreams about Abacha and fresh Enugu air, someone who has navigated twelve years of marriage with honesty and grace, and who will tell you plainly that a faithful husband is a blessing worth celebrating out loud. When we spoke with her for The Filmmaker’s Special, she arrived with the wisdom that only comes from a woman who has done the work — on screen, off screen, and within herself. She has things to say. And this time, she also owns the platform to say them.

Looking back at your journey from Enugu to founding Only Good Films, what defining moment made you realise you were ready to build something of your own?

I spent my entire school life, from primary school to university, in Enugu. When I graduated from Enugu State University of Science and Technology (ESUT), I looked around and realised there was nothing there for me. I felt that what I wanted to achieve was much bigger than this place. That’s why I decided to do something greater and moved to Lagos. 

 

Lagos proved to be a more favourable environment, allowing me to achieve my goals in a relatively short time. For me, the defining moment came right after graduation — I looked up and asked myself, “What’s out there for me?” I just knew that what I was meant to do awaited me elsewhere, and that “elsewhere” was Lagos.

 

Do you ever miss anything about life in Enugu after moving away?

There are plenty of things I miss. I’m a local girl, and I miss all the delicacies — my Abacha, yam, and fio fio. I miss the simple relaxation of taking a stroll, breathing fresh air, and not being surrounded by so many people. There’s so much I love about living in Enugu, but the hustle in Lagos was bigger than all of that. I still go home often because my parents reside there, and that’s my birthplace. As I said, I’m a local champion — forget the facade. At heart, I’m still an Enugu girl.

 

When did you realise that starring in and producing films was the path you wanted to pursue? 

I’ve always known I wanted to work in film. Growing up, I’ve always had so much I wanted to say, and I felt a strong need to share my opinion. As I got older, I began to understand how clearly I could express my perspective and bring the ideas I imagined to life. That clarity led me to movies. Film became the avenue through which I could talk about what mattered to me, share the lessons I’d learned, and create awareness around important issues. In many ways, film has always felt like a part of my story.

 

You’ve featured in projects like “Hush” and “Battleground”. How has your journey as an actress shaped your approach to running your production company, Only Good Films?

Every single experience, from working on “Hush” to “Battleground” and the other productions I’ve been a part of, has helped clarify what I want. They’ve shown me how I want to follow through and shape what I want to create in this business.

 

What people don’t always know is that I actually started as a producer — I didn’t begin just as an actor. I’ve always loved the business of filmmaking, the production process, and I knew I would get here someday. But I also loved acting. When the opportunities came, I gave it my all, thinking, Why not? I can do both. Acting gave me the visibility and influence to pursue what I wanted, and it propelled me to become a better producer. I had the knowledge from working on other sets, the experience I gained over the years, and the platform that comes with recognition and influence.

 

So when I’m working now, it’s not a matter of, “Who is she?” or “She’s just starting.” Because I’ve built a foundation over the years, it’s easier for me to launch a project and have it flow immediately without needing to be introduced.

Only Good Films is debuting its first film, “For Better or Worse”. Why did you choose this story to introduce the company to the world?

This film doesn’t just address a socially conscious issue that I want more people to understand; it also explores important lessons about marriage. It’s a story I’m deeply passionate about and one that’s inspired by true-life events. I felt it was a strong and impactful choice for our debut, as it reflects the vision and direction of Only Good Films. At its core, the story embodies lessons of understanding yourself in a relationship and paying attention to the lessons that occur in. 

 

“For Better or Worse” explores infertility and Asherman Syndrome — topics rarely discussed openly. What drew you to this story?

Infertility and Asherman syndrome are topics that are rarely discussed. Conversations around abortion and the challenges of infertility are often kept private, leaving many people to fight silent battles and endure difficult experiences alone.

 

In some cases, these conditions are treatable, but there remains a lack of awareness and access to proper support. That is one of the reasons I chose to tell this story. Many women feel ashamed to speak up, and that silence only widens the gap. I want to help close that gap while approaching the subject with care and sensitivity. It is also essential that we extend help to those going through this so that, together, we can find solutions. There is no shame in speaking about it. Sometimes, simply speaking about your experience can begin the healing process and allow other pieces of your life to fall into place. The message of this film is to remind women that it is not the end of the world, even if life does not unfold as they hoped. There is power in living your truth. When you do, other possibilities can emerge, and society can learn from your experience. Social media often creates the illusion that everything is perfect, but that is not reality. Everyone has silent battles. Everyone is fighting something. The truth can be difficult to confront, but it helps put life into perspective. I do not want women to suffer in silence.

 

The film also challenges traditional portrayals of marriage. Why was it important for you to tell this love story?

It was important for me to tell stories that feel honest and endearing. I’ve been married for 12 years, and not every issue we’ve faced has been my husband’s fault. I’ve had my own lapses in judgment. There have been moments when my actions didn’t make sense, and I’ve contributed to the arguments and conflicts in the marriage. Often, when conflict happens in a marriage, traditional thinking places the blame solely on the man. There is a common perception that the man cheats or is neglectful, but these behaviours can also come from the other partner. It is especially difficult for a man to say, “My wife is mistreating me,” or “My wife is neglecting me,” because society makes him feel less masculine for admitting that a woman could treat him that way.

 

So, I chose to tell this story through a lens that creates awareness of how these dynamics can exist. In the film, the female character is rebellious and different from the stereotypical obedient Nigerian wife. I know some viewers may dislike her or misunderstand what drives her behaviour, but that discomfort is intentional.

 

There are always two sides to every story, yet marriage narratives are often told solely through the lens of the man’s wrongdoing. I want women to take accountability for their mistakes in marriage. In Nigeria, it is surprisingly difficult to say you have a faithful and good husband. When I tell people my husband is faithful, they often respond with disbelief, saying, “Should we tell her?”

 

To the best of my knowledge, I married a faithful, good man — someone I genuinely like — yet that truth is rarely accepted. Our society often emphasises marrying a tall, wealthy, and handsome man, while dismissing faithfulness as unrealistic. We need to lend our voices to the good and faithful men and include their perspectives in the stories we tell.

What conversations do you hope “For Better or Worse” will ignite among couples and within Nigerian society at large?

I’m really looking forward to the conversations I know this film will ignite. However, I’m also praying that people don’t judge it through the usual Nigerian lens. I’m hoping for intelligent, thoughtful discussions. I don’t want anyone saying, “She went too far.”

I want people to understand why this man found it reasonable to forgive this woman despite everything that happened. I hope audiences will have meaningful, impactful conversations about starting afresh. Telling your truth is one of the best things you can do. Living with transparency and being intentional about your choices should be a priority. I also want women and young girls to learn that no matter how much you love someone, you shouldn’t stretch yourself until you have no elasticity left. Know when to stand up for yourself and when to act differently to preserve yourself. The film explores how the female character was hurting and the ways she chose to express it. I hope the audience will extend her grace and recognise how easily they could find themselves in a similar situation.

 

What’s your favourite scene in the film? 

There’s a scene where my character has a heart-to-heart conversation with my on-screen husband at the dining table. Earlier, he had caught me with another man in his bedroom. The scene shows how calmly the husband handles the situation and how the couple navigates what would normally tear a marriage apart. I don’t want to give too much away — just go watch the film! That scene is my favourite because the performance and acting were deeply emotional. When I watched the scene playback on set, I was crying. We put so much into it. We were on the same wavelength, very serious about telling the story, and we gave it our absolute best.

 

You’ve been married for 12 years. What advice would you give to those considering marriage, and how did you know your husband was the one?

I would tell everyone that when you’re looking for a husband or a wife, love is important, but look for a kind person. Choose someone based on the content of their heart. Find a person who loves God, someone who will naturally look out for you. Even during disagreements, they understand that you are human and will never let harm come to you.

 

This solves half of the problems in a marriage because problems will inevitably arise — and when they do, it becomes easier to navigate them.

 

Leaving your parents’ home, giving up the freedoms of being single, and coming together under one roof is not easy. In a relationship, you have to answer to each other. Problems will always occur, but choosing a kind partner makes the relationship worth fighting for.

 

When entering a marriage, leave behind all preconceived notions and start afresh. Learn your partner. Understand what works for your relationship. Don’t bring the habits of an ex or the patterns you observed in your parents into your marriage. Forget about whatever you think and get to know this person. Focus on building practices and habits that help your home grow — things that allow you to make the most of your marriage. 

 

Building Only Good Films while telling a story as emotionally layered as “For Better or Worse” requires strength and softness in equal measure. How has this season of your life reshaped your understanding of yourself as a woman?

It has done so much for me because I was both in the film and part of the production team. Working on this film as an actress gave me a new perspective on life. These days, before making any decision, I consider every possible option and angle. It has taught me to be more intentional in what I do, how I handle situations, and how I pass judgment. Working on this film has also shaped me in a very meaningful way; it has literally changed the lens through which I see life. I’m more positive, more patient, and more open to listening, understanding, and reasoning. Sometimes, everyone points to something and calls it blue — but when you really look, it’s actually purple. Everything has undertones, layers, and levels. I’m learning to explore all perspectives before taking action. Life should always be a learning curve. No matter how small an experience may seem, there is always a lesson to be learned.

 

Infertility is often framed as a woman’s burden in Nigerian culture. What responsibility do filmmakers have in reshaping cultural narratives around sensitive issues like this?

Nigerian films should address infertility in a more nuanced way. In “For Better or Worse”, her infertility stemmed from her body, but infertility can also originate from the man’s sperm.

 

Statistically, male infertility accounts for roughly 50% of conception challenges, often involving low sperm count. Many men never get checked, so they may not even be aware of the issue. As filmmakers, I believe we need to create more socially conscious stories around this topic — stories that move away from the traditional narrative that places blame solely on women and highlights only their suffering. We need to raise awareness that infertility can have multiple causes and help people understand this.

 

For this project, you worked with many collaborators. What’s one lesson you’ve learned from them that has shaped you for the better?

I am proud of the body of work we’ve created. The discussions with my lead producer, Vincent Nwachukwu, and the team showed just how hard they worked to make the film great. What shaped me for the better was seeing how intentional and patient everyone was about the project. My editor, for example, sent seven to twenty different exports, and whenever we suggested a correction, he would take it back and make the changes without hesitation. That level of patience is something I aspire to in my own life — to go over something a thousand times until it’s truly better. This project was filled with enjoyment and patience, and it taught me to pay more attention to quality work. Everyone involved was committed to executing the film at the highest standard. I learned how to be more intentional, more patient, and more collaborative. It showed me that when people work together in unity, the sky is just the starting point.

As a woman navigating marriage, career, societal expectations, and now leadership in film production, how has your definition of success evolved over the years?

My definition of success has evolved over the years. Initially, I thought success was simply about having money. Now, I see success as the body of work I am creating and the impact it has on people’s lives. Success, for me, is about how many people have grown with you and how many lives you have positively influenced through your work. This is what I truly count as success — seeing people able to tell their stories and say, “Because of this person, my life has been made better.” Success is not solely about monetary gain.

I view the financial aspect as only a small part — about 1% of what success really is. True success is about access, meaningful relationships, and building a legacy that matters. My focus now is on being impactful in society because that is what I count as success. It’s also important to make a good name for yourself. Who is Lydia Lawrence? Whose lives has she positively changed? How many people are listening to her? How many consider her a role model? What is she doing to empower others to stand on their own two feet? How is she supporting women and contributing to society at large? That, to me, is what truly counts as success.

What are you excited about for the future of Only Good Films? 

I’m excited for all the work ahead and for the amazing projects we plan to bring to life. I’m thrilled to collaborate with every single person on the team — their initiatives, their creativity, and everything they bring to the table. It’s such an energising experience to work with people who think like me and are willing to put in the effort to achieve something they can all be proud of. The driving principle of Only Good Films is to focus on projects we truly believe in. We want to work intentionally so that we can confidently say, “We did that.”