By Emmanuel Ogbodo

Netflix has denied claims that it plans to leave Nigeria, reaffirming its commitment to the country’s flourishing creative industry.

Edafe Onoriode, Group Account Director at Hill+Knowlton Strategies, Netflix’s public relations firm, clarified the company’s position in an email to The Punch on Wednesday.

“We are not exiting Nigeria. We will continue to invest in Nigerian stories to delight our members,” he stated.

Speculation about Netflix’s potential exit arose after filmmaker Kunle Afolayan suggested that Netflix had canceled some commissioned projects.

Afolayan, speaking at the 2024 Zuma Film Festival, expressed disappointment, stating that while his projects, such as Anikulapo: The Rise of the Spectre, remained unaffected, other filmmakers’ works in progress were impacted by a reduction in funding for Nigerian content.

Since its entry into the Nigerian market in 2016, Netflix has become a significant player in Nollywood, securing distribution rights for top films and producing original content, including Genevieve Nnaji’s Lionheart—the first Nigerian Netflix Original.

Despite this, Nigeria accounts for only 10.5% of Netflix’s African subscriber base, compared to South Africa’s dominant 73.3%, as per a report by Omdia.

Netflix currently has 1.6 million subscribers across Africa, with growth projections expected to hit 2.2 million by 2029.

The streaming giant reiterated its ongoing support for Nigeria’s creative sector and its goal of providing captivating content for its global audience.

By Emmanuel Ogbodo

Renowned Nollywood Filmmaker, Kunle Afolayan has called on the Nigerian government to provide financial grants and infrastructural support to rejuvenate the country’s movie industry.

Speaking at the 2024 Zuma Film Festival, jointly organized by the Nigerian Film Corporation and the Federal Capital Territory Administration, Afolayan stressed that government funding is crucial for empowering filmmakers to focus on creative storytelling rather than struggling with financial constraints.

Afolayan recalled the Project Nollywood Act during the Goodluck Jonathan administration, which allocated grants to filmmakers.

While some used the funds responsibly to produce movies, others squandered the opportunity.

He urged the government to revive similar funding initiatives with stricter accountability measures to boost the industry’s growth.

Highlighting the operational challenges faced by his production company, Afolayan revealed that he has relied on generators for power over the past three years—a situation he described as unsustainable.

He appealed to the government to invest in alternative energy solutions, such as solar power, which would not only enhance productivity but also benefit the entire Nollywood ecosystem.

Afolayan also expressed concern about unconfirmed reports of Netflix scaling back its partnerships with Nigerian creators.

He warned that such developments could have serious implications, as many filmmakers have relied on the platform to earn revenue in dollars.

To mitigate this risk, Afolayan advocated for the creation of a dedicated Nollywood distribution platform, which would reduce dependence on international streaming services like Netflix and YouTube.

“Relying on external platforms is risky,” he said. “Policy changes on their end can destabilize income streams for our filmmakers and actors.”

Despite the challenges, Afolayan remains optimistic. With robust government support and strategic industry-led initiatives, he believes Nollywood can surmount its obstacles and continue to thrive as a global leader in African cinema.

By Jesusemen Oratokhai

Renowned Nigerian music star Timaya, born Inetimi Timaya Odon, recently shared a revealing anecdote about Grammy-winning artist Burna Boy and fellow musicians Omawumi and Waje.

In a candid interview with Naija FM in Lagos, Timaya recalled an incident where Burna Boy, born Damini Ogulu, boldly predicted his rise to fame and the luxury of being paid to board private jets.

However, his ambitious statement was met with skepticism by Omawumi and Waje, leading to a heated exchange.

“Nothing Burna Boy is doing now surprises me. The guy is fearless.

“There was a time in the studio with Omawumi and Waje when Burna Boy said he’d soon be paid to fly in private jets.

“They doubted him because it seemed far-fetched at the time. Burna got upset and told them to leave the studio,” Timaya said.

The incident highlights Burna Boy’s early self-belief and determination, traits that have since propelled him to global success.

Today, he is celebrated for his Grammy awards, record-breaking concerts, and, indeed, private jet travels, proving the critics wrong.

Omawumi and Waje, both celebrated artists, have not commented on the story.

The account underscores the importance of vision and resilience in achieving greatness, as Burna Boy continues to inspire many with his extraordinary achievements.