Kunle Afolayan Critiques Nollywood's YouTube Shift

Filmmaker Kunle Afolayan criticized Nollywood producers for increasingly turning to YouTube as an alternative streaming platform during an interview with former Minister of Finance Kemi Adeosun. Afolayan stated that YouTube cannot compete with platforms like Netflix and Prime in terms of movie streaming quality.

He acknowledged that YouTube serves as a good starting point for novice filmmakers who lack the resources to negotiate with larger platforms or release films in cinemas. Afolayan pointed out that the current high dollar-to-naira exchange rate is driving producers to YouTube, as they can earn significant revenue from views.

He noted that at an exchange rate of ₦1,400 to $1, a million views could generate about $10,000. However, he predicted that if the dollar-to-naira exchange rate were to drop to ₦200, many producers would abandon YouTube.

Afolayan expressed hope that the dollar-to-naira exchange rate would decrease.