Kunle Afolayan Clarifies Controversial Comment On ‘Netflix Leaving Nigeria

Posted by Lawal Munirat on December 7, 2024 0

Afolayan’s initial comment had sparked controversy on social media platforms with many interpreting it as “Netflix leaving Nigeria”.

Popular Nigerian filmmaker, Kunle Afolayan has made clarifications following his recent statement regarding Netflix no longer funding of Nigerian original movies.

Recall that his comments caused serious controversy online.

Many had interpreted it as Netflix leaving the country.

Clarifying in a recent interview on Channels TV, Afolayan explained that his statement was misinterpreted.

“If Netflix parks and leaves, of course, it is going to affect all of us. I was addressing some of the government officials who were there at Zuma because Victor Okhai who is the moderator was a voice in the Nigeria film industry. I was not at the event he was talking about. I was not privy to whatever conversation must have happened there,” he said.

“I think there is a bit of a change in the structure and mode of operation. And this is open to people who supply them with films.

“The last time they were here, we had a meeting, they were still reassuring us, saying, look, we are still here. We are going to do stuff but we might not be able to do the kind of volume that we used to do.

“What I was emphasizing is that even if Netflix say they are not doing enough, or taking as many films as they should, why shouldn’t we as a country come up with other distribution platforms? Just like other people put up their films on YouTube.

“I never said Netflix is leaving Nigeria. What I said was we just shot two seasons of ‘Anikulapo’ and I heard some people who were not quick enough to make their films say they can’t shoot again because they are cutting down on numbers.

“We have a relationship that we have built over the years. I give them good content and we will continue to give them as long as they are here.”

Netflix had earlier said “we are not exiting Nigeria. We will continue to invest in Nigerian stories to delight our audience”.

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