Veteran actress Omotola Jalade-Ekeinde has attributed Nollywood’s slower global growth, compared to the rise of Afrobeats to persistent funding constraints within the film industry.
Speaking on the Afropolitan Podcast, Jalade-Ekeinde explained that music production typically requires far less capital than film production, making it easier for artists to create and distribute their work internationally.
According to her, the emergence of viral, low-budget music content has played a major role in Afrobeats’ rapid global expansion.
She noted that filmmaking involves more complex logistics, including larger crews, cast members, and higher production costs, which often make funding a major hurdle for Nollywood’s global growth.
Jalade-Ekeinde added that without stronger financial backing and investment, the Nigerian film industry may continue to face challenges competing at the same global scale achieved by Afrobeats artists.
“What is holding Nollywood back is mostly funding. With music, it is not really as expensive to create. Except if you want to shoot lavish music videos, which are rare these days.
“Because easy viral ideas make more impact than packaged billion-dollar budget videos.
“So you notice that many artists are now just having fun in their house or with friends, recording it, and people like it because it is organic.
“But you can’t do that with film, unfortunately.” “The cheapest movie would probably still have like 30 cast and crew,” she explained
Speaking on the Afropolitan Podcast, Jalade-Ekeinde explained that music production typically requires far less capital than film production, making it easier for artists to create and distribute their work internationally.
According to her, the emergence of viral, low-budget music content has played a major role in Afrobeats’ rapid global expansion.
She noted that filmmaking involves more complex logistics, including larger crews, cast members, and higher production costs, which often make funding a major hurdle for Nollywood’s global growth.
Jalade-Ekeinde added that without stronger financial backing and investment, the Nigerian film industry may continue to face challenges competing at the same global scale achieved by Afrobeats artists.
“What is holding Nollywood back is mostly funding. With music, it is not really as expensive to create. Except if you want to shoot lavish music videos, which are rare these days.
“Because easy viral ideas make more impact than packaged billion-dollar budget videos.
“So you notice that many artists are now just having fun in their house or with friends, recording it, and people like it because it is organic.
“But you can’t do that with film, unfortunately.” “The cheapest movie would probably still have like 30 cast and crew,” she explained
