In a candid discussion with Jay On-Air, Nollywood actress and producer Bolaji Ogunmola shared her perspective on the challenges of creating movies for YouTube. She argued that the platform was not originally designed to host cinematic works, making it a costly and risky venture for filmmakers.
Ogunmola highlighted the steep expenses involved, noting that actors demand between N4 million and N5 million for just four days of work, with the lowest fees starting at N1 million to N2 million. She pointed out that many fans mistakenly believe producers rake in huge profits from videos that amass millions of views, but the reality is far from that.
She also called on Nigerians to offer constructive feedback instead of harsh criticism, emphasizing that every YouTube film, no matter how poorly received, required significant financial investment. “Even the worst film on YouTube cost money to make,” she stressed.
According to Ogunmola, Nigeria stands out as the only country that produces movies specifically for YouTube, a situation she attributes to the nation’s poor film distribution system. This unique reliance on the platform, she explained, stems from the lack of alternative channels to reach audiences.