Kunle Afolayan Refutes Claims That Netflix is Leaving Nigeria

Renowned Nigerian filmmaker Kunle Afolayan has clarified comments that sparked speculation about Netflix’s departure from Nigeria, emphasizing that his statements were misconstrued.

In a virtual interview on Channels Television on Thursday, Afolayan highlighted his longstanding relationship with Netflix, asserting that his remarks were intended as a wake-up call to bolster local film distribution platforms.

“People can always pick things out of context and push whatever suits their narrative,” he said.

Afolayan explained that his comments at the Zuma Film Festival, in response to industry professional Victor Okhai, were directed at government officials, not as confirmation of Netflix’s withdrawal.

Okhai had referenced a “last supper meal” at a Netflix event in Nigeria, an event Afolayan missed due to his mother’s burial.

He clarified, “I wasn’t at that event, so I’m not privy to whatever conversation must have happened there. What I said was a wake-up call for us as a country to strengthen our own distribution platforms, regardless of Netflix’s decisions.

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“The last time they were here, we had meetings and they’re still reassuring that, look, we’re still here, we’re going to do stuff, but we might not be able to do, the kind of volume that we used to do.

“What I was emphasizing all at that meeting was to say, look, even if you guys are saying Netflix is not doing enough, or Netflix is not taking as much as they should, why shouldn’t we as a country even come up with other distribution platforms.”

Afolayan dismissed negative spins on his remarks, pointing out that Netflix remains a vital partner. “If you look at the video, I never said Netflix is leaving Nigeria, Dr Okhai threw the question. I concluded saying Netflix is leaving and what I said was, look we need to wake up. Is a wake up call; if they are leaving, then we also need to set up our own things,” he said.

Netflix has also reaffirmed its dedication to the Nigerian creative industry, reiterating its commitment to “continue to invest in Nigerian stories to delight its members.”