Nollywood actress and filmmaker Bolaji Ogunmola has opened up about the growing challenges facing filmmakers producing YouTube movies in Nigeria.
Speaking during a recent interview, Ogunmola stated that YouTube was never originally created as a platform for film distribution. According to her, producing movies for YouTube audiences has become increasingly expensive and financially risky for filmmakers.
She explained that many actors now charge millions of naira for movie roles, making film production difficult for independent producers.
YouTube Movies in Nigeria Are Expensive to Produce
According to Ogunmola, creating quality YouTube movies in Nigeria requires huge financial investment. She noted that many viewers wrongly believe producers make massive profits once movies record millions of views online.
The filmmaker explained that this assumption is not always correct because movie production involves several expenses, including actor fees, equipment, editing, location costs, and promotion.
“YouTube was never designed for films. Film is a very expensive art,” she said during the interview.
She added that some actors charge between ₦4 million and ₦5 million for only a few days of filming, while others collect at least ₦1 million to ₦2 million per project.
Ogunmola Urges Nigerians to Support YouTube Filmmakers
Ogunmola also appealed to Nigerians to criticise YouTube filmmakers constructively instead of attacking their efforts online.
According to her, even movies considered poor by viewers still require significant investment and hard work from producers and crew members.
The actress stressed that Nigeria remains one of the few countries where filmmakers heavily depend on YouTube because of weak movie distribution systems.
She noted that better cinema access and stronger distribution channels would help Nollywood producers generate more revenue outside YouTube platforms.
Nollywood Continues to Grow Digitally
Despite the challenges, YouTube movies in Nigeria continue to attract millions of viewers across Africa and beyond. Many filmmakers now rely on digital streaming platforms to reach larger audiences and grow their brands internationally.
Industry observers believe improved distribution structures and stronger support for filmmakers could help Nollywood compete more effectively on the global stage.
