₦airaland Forum

Despite reports from three publications suggesting Netflix is exiting the Nigerian market, the global streaming giant has firmly denied these claims, insisting it will continue to invest in Nigerian content.

The speculation was fueled by comments from Nigerian filmmaker Kunle Afolayan, who spoke at the 2024 Zuma International Film Festival. Afolayan claimed Netflix canceled several films it had previously commissioned from unnamed filmmakers.

“Three years ago, when we signed the three-film deal with Netflix, it was really exciting,” Afolayan said. The filmmaker went on to share that despite the stellar performance of those movies globally, Netflix seemed unimpressed by their returns in Nigeria.

“Thank God we had shot seasons two and three [of Anikulapo] because all the other people that were commissioned with us at the same time were canceled.”

However, Afolayan did not explicitly state that Netflix was exiting the Nigerian market, although his remarks will rightly drive speculation that the streaming platform is retreating from the country. This speculation is not entirely unfounded—Amazon Prime, another major streaming service, exited Nigeria in January 2024 one year after a huge marketing campaign and a slate of original Nigerian productions..

In a statement to TechCabal on Wednesday, a Netflix spokesperson reaffirmed the company’s commitment to Nigeria, saying, “We are not exiting Nigeria. We will continue to invest in Nigerian stories to delight our audience.”

The spokesperson did not immediately address Afolayan’s claims about canceled projects. Still, Wednesday’s conversation and social media reactions highlight growing uncertainty around Netflix’s long-term strategy in Nigeria, where rising inflation and currency devaluation have pressured consumer spending power.

Netflix has struggled to capture a large share of Nigeria’s competitive streaming market, which is dominated by the more affordable Showmax, a service operated by Multichoice. Netflix—currently priced at ₦7,000 ($4) per month—remains a luxury for many Nigerians, especially as inflation and naira devaluation erode purchasing power.

With local players continuing to outperform in pricing, Netflix’s ability to maintain its position in the region could become increasingly challenging.

Netflix’s relationship with Nigeria dates back to 2016 when it began licensing high-profile local films. Since 2016, it has poured over $23 million into Nigeria’s film industry, backing over 250 locally licensed titles, co-productions, and original commissions. Lionheart, The Wedding Party 2, and King of Boys are some of its most recognisable titles. In 2020, the streaming service signed multi-title deals with prominent Nigerian producers like Mo Abudu’s EbonyLife Productions. In 2021, it expanded its partnership with Kunle Afolayan, signing a deal for three films, including an adaptation of Sefi Atta’s Swallow.

Source: https://techcabal.com/2024/12/04/netflix-denies-nigerian-market-exit/

Previous thread https://www.nairaland.com/8285196/netflix-stops-buying-nigerian-content

Afolayan and propaganda

Ok

It’s okay

Shey I talk am?

O wow

Bloggers will one day set this country on fire!

Kunle Afolayan also never said they left Nigeria in that video.

Nigeria media are gangs of copy and paste useless organization. No fact checking nothing. Just copy, paste, and redistribute any news they see and then come back to shalaye later.

It seems they are too broke and they are hustling for social media post revenue.

Tinubu should stop threatening Netflix and allow them to leave if they want to leave. Tinubulation is an affliction that any sane person will flee from if given the chance.

Higbo people are pained

Vikingking, where are you?

And some idiots that are only happy about bad news about Nigeria have already created over 20 threads celebrating madness

Madamvanessa u need to start using your head with your other tribes men, u hate Nigeria so bad n always happy when bad things happen n when people who know u hate d country rejects u n your candidate u start screaming blue murder


We know u emergency lovers of Nigeria will come n start saying good things about Nigeria few months to d next election

Nigeria Gazette, pans for bad news about Nigeria and quickly goes to print.

Nairaland needs to a better job at quality control and filtering fake news

Emilokan is really terrorizing Nigerians with his stupid policies...

It will soon end Sir... We knew how Abacha ended, it will soon end and Nigerians will rejoice again.

Better

Noted.

There is a background issue that the parties involved are shying away from talking in the public

Oyyana

Some sadists will not be happy about this.😁😁

Can we not develop our own indigenous streaming platforms?

Android box
Kodi (Xenon build+Real debrid Premium)
Unlimited Internet


You're gucci.

SA have highest subscribers, but Nigeria have highest streamers, if you know you know

When purchasing power of the people is decimated, this is what follows.


Our movies are either to "Americanized" with massive plot holes and lacking in-depth emotions a large part of the people can connect with. In short Nigeria film Na definition of Cliche


Our traditional stories are so poorly written and directed that it makes one wanna puke.


Anyways expect my streaming service called "NGX" , only top shiiii no mediocre..



P.S below is Prof P.N Okeke, if you know you know.

Discontinuation of investment in local movies is different from leaving the country. Anyways, our movie industry will be badly hit. I know Nigerian film makers will wrestle the storm.

Nigerians and negative news

God Bless Federal Republic of Nigeria
God punish enemies within

Wailers are already crying

No smoke without fire.

Good

They are no more buying local content but will leave the streaming service open to any who can afford it. It is a low risk option and they will profit regardless as they have deduced that buying more local content cannot grow their subscriber base in a country where the economy has gone to shit.

Nigerian bloggers and nonsense. I'm recently looking for how to block legit.ng.. there is nothing legit about this site. They will make you read one story countless times just by twisting it..it's so annoying!

Soldier come, soldier go, barracks remain. I remember bingos here complaining that Netflix won’t solve our problems. Those idiots paid for the service for years on end. Netflix would soon leave, their lives haven’t changed. They are still Nairaland trolls.