In a disappointing blow to Nollywood, filmmaker Kunle Afolayan has confirmed that Netflix has stopped commissioning new Nigerian Originals. This move marks a shift for the Nigerian film industry, which had enjoyed global recognition thanks to Netflix’s investment in local content over recent years.
Afolayan, known for his direction of the acclaimed series Anikulapo, shared his personal disappointment, revealing that while many projects in development have been canceled, he was fortunate enough to have secured a green light for Anikulapo‘s third season. The historical drama, which blends Nigerian folklore with modern storytelling, quickly became a fan favorite, and its continued success on the streaming platform was one of the few bright spots for Nigerian cinema.
However, Afolayan revealed that despite his series’ success, many other Nollywood projects that had been commissioned alongside Anikulapo were abruptly scrapped by Netflix. “It’s heartbreaking to see the sudden halt in opportunities for our filmmakers,” he said, adding, “I feel fortunate that Anikulapo was still given the chance to continue.”
The director also shared insight into the broader struggles facing African filmmakers, emphasizing that the budgets for such projects are often tied to the earnings from Nigerian markets. Yet, despite this, he noted that films like Anikulapo have found remarkable global success. “A week after the Anikulapo film was released, it topped number one globally,” Afolayan said. “Because of that success, Netflix commissioned the first season, then a second and a third. I’m grateful we have the second and third seasons, but all the other projects commissioned at the same time were canceled.”
This decision by Netflix signals a shift in the streaming giant’s approach to Nigerian content, especially after years of backing popular Nollywood Originals such as Blood Sisters, King of Boys, and Shanty Town.
