Leading streaming service, Netflix has reacted to reports that it has exited the Nigerian market after six years.
The rumours began after popular filmmaker Kunle Afolayan raised the alarm, claiming that some of its commissioned projects had been cancelled.
Kunle Afolayan said that Netflix’s management had informed filmmakers during the 2024 Zuma International Film Festival in Abuja that they would no longer fund Nigerian movies.
Describing the latest development as a big blow, the filmmaker said it would significantly affect the income of producers who invest heavily in filmmaking.
According to Afolayan, he was lucky to have completed seasons two and three of the Anikulapo series, but some filmmakers got their projects cancelled.
He urged filmmakers to continue producing high-quality content regardless of the challenges posed by Netflix.
Responding to these viral reports, Netflix denied these allegations.
In a statement issued through its public relations firm, Hill & Knowlton Strategies, the company reaffirmed its commitment to Nigeria, Punch reports.
Edafe Onoriode, Group Account Director of Hill & Knowlton Strategies, speaking on behalf of Netflix, said: “We are not exiting Nigeria. We will continue to invest in Nigerian stories to delight our members.”
Netizens React:
Tonjay: “Which news we wan believe now.”
iamdirebella02: “If they like they leave if they like they stay but what they should not say is they are generating low income from Nigeria.”
Ebenz0_: “If they leave, it’s their loss.”
iamtrueflint: “Where they won go? ABEG O.”
RiRiBen22: “Which one we go come believe.”
talktoojogbon: “Are you sure?”
KabirMisali: “How I wish it exits. Their closure from the country might trigger another citizen to establish the local one.”
Netflix has established a significant partnership with Nollywood, enhancing its presence in Nigeria since 2016.
This collaboration began with the acquisition of distribution rights for popular films and culminated in the production of original content, such as Genevieve Nnaji’s Lionheart, the first Nigerian Netflix original.
