Award-winning Nigerian filmmaker Kunle Afolayan has expressed concern over the rising cost of diesel in Nigeria, saying the current price of about ₦1,500 per litre is becoming difficult for businesses like his to sustain.

The filmmaker revealed that the high cost of fuel has been putting serious pressure on the operations of his businesses, particularly the facilities under his KAP Group.

“I have been sad because I can’t cope with the ₦1,500 per litre of diesel,” Afolayan said. “I can’t even comprehend it.”

According to him, the cost of running his film and hospitality facilities has continued to rise despite investments in alternative energy.

Afolayan explained that at the KAP Film Village and Resort located in Igbojaye, Oyo State, the company spends about ₦11 million on diesel within four to five weeks, even though the facility also uses solar power.

“In one of the businesses that we run, KAP Village, we spend about ₦11 million for four to five weeks on diesel, and we have solar power and we are still spending about ₦11 million in five weeks,” he said.

He added that the situation is similar at the KAP Film Hub in Lagos, where diesel consumption remains high despite efforts to reduce reliance on fuel generators.

“In Lagos, at KAP Hub, we still spend a lot on diesel and we still have solar power,” he said.

The filmmaker noted that the increase in diesel prices has made it difficult to run operations smoothly.

“Since this announcement of the new prices for diesel came, I have been sad. It is not sustainable,” he said.

Afolayan further revealed that the company has had to buy diesel on credit to keep its operations running.

According to him, payments for the fuel are sometimes delayed because of financial pressures on the business.

“Even the diesel we’ve been buying, we’ve been buying it on credit,” he said. “When we make small money, we find a way to pay. Sometimes it takes two months to pay before we can get another supply on credit.”

Afolayan is one of Nigeria’s most recognised filmmakers and entrepreneurs in the creative industry. Over the years, he has built several businesses around film production, training and hospitality.

The 51-year-old filmmaker is the founder of the KAP Film Village and Resort in Igbojaye, Oyo State, a creative and tourism destination that hosts film productions, training programmes and cultural events.

He also operates the KAP Hub in Lagos, which serves as a production and creative centre, as well as Afefeyeye Restaurant.

Beyond filmmaking, Afolayan has been involved in training young creatives through the KAP Film and Television Academy, which provides practical training for aspiring filmmakers across Africa.

In addition, the filmmaker recently signed a partnership agreement aimed at expanding film distribution across parts of West Africa, a move expected to strengthen collaboration and improve access to Nigerian films in the region.

Afolayan is known for films such as The Figurine, October 1, Citation and Anikulapo, and has received several awards for his work, including multiple Africa Magic Viewers’ Choice Awards.

However, despite his success in the film industry, the director said the rising cost of energy remains one of the biggest challenges facing businesses in Nigeria.