Nollywood faces a significant setback as Netflix has announced the cancellation of its Nigerian Originals. This decision is poised to disrupt Nigeria’s burgeoning film industry, which has been striving for global recognition.
The announcement affects many Nigerian filmmakers who saw Netflix as a vital platform for sharing their stories internationally.
Renowned filmmaker Kunle Afolayan shared insights about his collaborations with Netflix and expressed concern over the abrupt cancellation.
He highlighted how this move impacts ongoing projects and reduces opportunities for showcasing authentic Nigerian narratives.
David Karanja’s Exit and Its Implications
Adding to the turbulence, David Karanja, Netflix’s Executive in Charge of Licensing Originals, recently announced his departure.
In a heartfelt LinkedIn post, Karanja expressed optimism about the future of African storytelling, suggesting that African cinema stands at the cusp of a breakthrough, much like the global rise of African music.
Karanja played a pivotal role in shaping Netflix Africa’s original content strategy. Since joining in September 2021, he has overseen the development and launch of over 35 series and films.
This includes acclaimed titles like Ludik, Country Queen, Shanty Town, and Anikulapo. His leadership also secured licensing agreements for premium content such as Yizo Yizo and Shaka Zulu.
Strategic Shift in Content Priorities
Karanja’s departure coincides with Netflix reassessing its African content strategy. This shift raises questions about the company’s future investments in the region.
Although the exit of a key executive signals uncertainty, Karanja remains hopeful about the growth and recognition of African narratives.
The Future of Nollywood
The cancellation of Nigerian Originals from Netflix has far-reaching consequences for Nollywood. Many industry players relied on Netflix’s support to gain international visibility.
Without this platform, filmmakers may face challenges in finding global distribution for their content. However, the resilience of Nollywood suggests that it will adapt and find alternative avenues for international exposure.
As the industry navigates this challenging period, it’s clear that Nigerian filmmakers will need to explore new partnerships and platforms.
Despite the setback, Karanja’s positive outlook underscores the potential for African cinema to thrive on the global stage, driven by the rich, diverse stories that Nollywood continues to produce.
The latest cinematic triumph by Funke Akindele, “Everybody Loves Jenifa,” has shattered box office records, surpassing the ₦1 billion mark in 12 days.
This unprecedented feat, achieved within two weeks, sets a new standard of success in Nollywood, a milestone many can only aspire to.
This achievement, however, is not a stroke of luck for the multi-talented actress, producer, and entrepreneur.
Akindele consistently dominates the Nigerian box office, as evidenced by her impressive track record.
Last year, her film “A Tribe Called Judah” made history as the first Nollywood film to cross the ₦1 billion threshold. Further, this solidified her reign as the undisputed queen of the big screen.
With “Everybody Loves Jenifa,” Funke Akindele unequivocally demonstrates that her success is not a fleeting phenomenon but a consistent pattern.
She has proven that she can replicate her triumphs repeatedly, shattering expectations and defying limitations.
The anticipation surrounding “Everybody Loves Jenifa” was palpable even before its official release. At an exhibitor soiree preceding the premiere, Akindele confidently made a bold proclamation, foreshadowing the film’s imminent success.
“I have faith that this film will make ₦5 billion,” she said.
While some may have initially dismissed her ambitions as overly ambitious, her resounding success has silenced all doubters.
A cursory glance at the list of Nollywood’s highest-grossing films reveals a recurring name: Funke Akindele. From “Omo Ghetto: The Saga” to “Battle on Buka Street” and now “Everybody Loves Jenifa,” she consistently reigns supreme at the box office.
This commercial success can be attributed to her unique ability to seamlessly blend humour, compelling drama, and relatable narratives into her films.
Furthermore, Akindele continually demonstrates her ability to evolve and adapt. Whether it’s through the enduring popularity of her iconic character Jenifa, her skilful assembly of all-star casts, or her innovative marketing strategies, she has mastered the art of staying relevant and captivating audiences across all age groups.
The “Jenifa” franchise transcends the realm of a mere movie series; it has become a cultural movement.
Jenifa, Akindele’s beloved character, first captivated the hearts of viewers in “Jenifa’s Diary,” a hit television series that delivered a potent blend of humour and life lessons.
With “Everybody Loves Jenifa,” Akindele has elevated her iconic character to new heights, crafting a narrative that is both side-splittingly funny and profoundly heartwarming.
Martins Otse, popularly known as VeryDarkMan, sparked a social media frenzy on Friday when he announced that his NGO’s account had been hacked, resulting in the theft of ₦180 million.
The Federal Capital Territory (FCT) Police Command has stated that it does not know about the missing ₦180 million from his non-governmental organisation’s bank account, as reported on its website.
In an Instagram video, VeryDarkMan explained that the hackers had compromised the account and left only ₦20 million after making away with the substantial sum.
He detailed the incident, expressing his shock and disappointment at the breach.
I’ve not been myself these past few days.
Somebody hacked into the NGO website, and ₦180 million is missing. Thankfully, we’ve tracked the person, and one suspect has been arrested.
The account is now on PND (Post No Debit). There’s ₦20 million left, while ₦160 million was diverted. We’re heading to Jos to recover the money.
He stated that the incident had been reported to the police, who are actively working to recover the stolen funds.
However, when contacted on Saturday, FCT Police Command spokesperson Josephine Adeh clarified that the command does not know the case. Adeh firmly emphasised this point in her response.
The FCT Police Command is not aware of any case involving VDM’s missing funds and is not conducting any investigation into it.
The individual in question should be contacted to clarify where the matter was reported, as there is no record of such a case with the FCT Police Command.
Social media users have widely challenged VeryDarkMan’s account theft claims, expressing doubts about the reported ₦180 million loss.
The FCT Police Command’s statement denying knowledge of the incident has intensified public scrutiny of Otse’s allegations.
Online commentators have specifically questioned the origin and documentation of the funds. Also, they have questioned the technical details of the alleged cyber attack.
YBNL Music founder Olamide has approved the early contract termination of artist Asake, videowheelztv reports.
The contract dissolution grants Asake ownership of his master recordings from his tenure with the label. Both parties have established a 10-year royalty-sharing arrangement to continue the financial terms of their original agreement.
The separation took place in recent months, following Asake’s release of his album “Lungu Boy.”
Speaking on the separation, Olamide reportedly said:
I didn’t create YBNL because I wanted to make money. I created it because I wanted to see other young people grow, so if any artist under me wants to leave, they are free.
He added more specifically that,
Asake has done his part, and I’m proud of him.
Reports earlier this week revealed that Asake removed all YBNL-related content from his social media profiles and unfollowed his connections, including Olamide.
Sources indicate that Olamide extended a new contract offer to Asake following the expiration of his initial YBNL agreement.
Despite Olamide’s attempts to secure Asake’s continued partnership, the artist declined the offer, choosing to separate from the mentor who significantly contributed to his international success.
An insider disclosed that the situation reached its conclusion two weeks ago when Asake definitively ended negotiations, expressing his intention to operate independently.
The development marks a significant shift in their professional relationship, which began in 2022 when Asake first signed with YBNL.
During his tenure with the label, Asake achieved remarkable success, releasing multiple hit singles and notably selling out London’s O2 Arena on two occasions.