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I never said Netflix is leaving Nigeria – Kunle Afolayan

By Musa Adekunle

06 December 2024   |   7:03 am

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Renowned Nigerian filmmaker, Kunle Afolayan, has addressed recent claims suggesting Netflix planned to leave Nigeria, stating that his comments were taken out of context. Speaking during a virtual interview on Channels Television on Thursday, Afolayan emphasised his strong relationship with the streaming giant, adding that his remarks were never intended to imply Netflix’s departure. “People…

Renowned Nigerian filmmaker, Kunle Afolayan, has addressed recent claims suggesting Netflix planned to leave Nigeria, stating that his comments were taken out of context.

Speaking during a virtual interview on Channels Television on Thursday, Afolayan emphasised his strong relationship with the streaming giant, adding that his remarks were never intended to imply Netflix’s departure.

“People can always pick things out of context and push whatever suits their narrative,” Afolayan said, highlighting his position as both a key beneficiary and supplier of content to Netflix.

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He explained that his comments at the Zuma Film Festival were directed at government officials present, particularly when responding to a question posed by Victor Okhai, a voice in the Nigerian film industry. Okhai had mentioned a rumoured “last supper meal” during a Netflix event in Nigeria.

Afolayan clarified that he was absent from that event due to his mother’s burial, stating, “I wasn’t at that event, so I’m not privy to whatever conversation must have happened there. What I said was a wake-up call for us as a country to strengthen our own distribution platforms, regardless of Netflix’s decisions.”

The filmmaker also shed light on recent structural changes at Netflix, noting that the platform has been reducing the volume of original content while maintaining its presence in Nigeria.

“The last time they were here, we had meetings and they’re still reassuring that, look, we’re still here, we’re 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 all at that meeting was to say, look, even if you guys are saying Netflix is not doing enough, or Netflix is not taking as much as they should, why shouldn’t we as a country even come up with other distribution platforms.,” Afolayan explained.

Afolayan further dismissed attempts to twist his statement into negative narratives, pointing out that Netflix remains a key partner for him and other Nigerian filmmakers.

“If you look at the video, I never said Netflix is leaving Nigeria, Dr Okhai, threw the question. I concluded saying Netflix is leaving and what I said was, look we need to wake up. Is a wake up call; if they are leaving, then we also need to set up our own things,” he added.

Netflix, in an earlier statement, also reaffirmed its commitment to the Nigerian creative industry, saying it will “continue to invest in Nigerian stories to delight its members.”