Netflix quietly exits Nigeria

• After eight years of operation, Netflix has quietly exited Nigeria, ending its support for local content production.
• Nigerian filmmaker Kunle Afolayan confirmed Netflix’s exit at the 2024 Zuma Film Festival, revealing that the platform stopped commissioning new Nigerian originals.
• Afolayan expressed that Netflix’s exit is a significant blow to Nollywood.
• Netflix has not provided an official statement explaining its decision to exit Nigeria, leaving the reasons unclear.

Popular movie streaming platform Netflix has quietly exited Nigeria, marking the end of its eight-year presence in the country since launching in 2016.

The international streaming platform has yet to offer an official explanation for its decision, although the news has been confirmed by Nollywood stakeholders.

Notable Nigerian filmmaker Kunle Afolayan spoke about the exit at the 2024 Zuma Film Festival, confirming that Netflix had stopped commissioning new Nigerian original content.

Kunle Afolayan shared that, unlike many of his colleagues, he was fortunate enough to secure a third season for his popular series Anikulapo before the streaming service ceased further collaborations with Nollywood producers.

However, he noted that other projects, which had been in development, were abruptly canceled, describing the situation as a significant blow to the Nigerian movie industry.

Netflix’s departure comes at a time when Nigerian content has been gaining international recognition, with films like Kunle Afolayan’s Anikulapo receiving global attention.

it is noteworthy that Netflix has yet to provide an official statement on the matter.

Netizens Reactions….

below: mosaalabi said: “I’m beginning to think that our silence about social issues as a nation is a reflection of the boldness of our filmmakers. Maybe.”

y__maestro said: “This is wild.

akinyemithefirst said: “Omoh! These are the issues! What is going on?”

amahegbuta said: “I’ve been waiting for a press release about this since way back I heard the news.”

thesadiqibrahimbooth said: “Very serious issue…. Shouldn’t be swept away.

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