INTERNATIONAL movie streaming platform Netflix has exited Nigeria eight years after it launched in 2016, but it has been kept away from the public while major stakeholders in the Nollywood movie industry were aware.
Netflix exited Nigeria in November 2024, ending the financial support streaming platforms provided for the production of Nigerian content.
Netflix was said to have quietly called their frequent collaborators and told them the sad news that they would be cutting back on acquiring Nigerian content. However, the reason for Netflix’s action is yet to be known as the platform is yet to provide an official statement.
The renowned Nigerian filmmaker, Kunle Afolayan, speaking at the 2024 Zuma Film Festival, confirmed that Netflix had stopped commissioning new Nigerian originals.
Afolayan revealed that unlike many of his colleagues, he was fortunate to have secured a third season for his hit series Anikulapo before the platform made the decision.
He also mentioned that some of his colleagues were not that lucky as other Nollywood projects in development were cancelled.
Afolayan, who described it as a big blow to the industry, also saw it as a wake-up call for the movie industry.
Netflix’s Executive in Charge of Licensing Originals, David Karanja also confirmed this departure in a goodbye post on LinkedIn.
David Karanja wrote: “While the world is beginning to recognize the power of African voices and stories told by Africans, I believe we are on the brink of a watershed moment for African cinema and television, similar to the leaps we’ve seen in music.”
