Nigerian filmmaker and actor Kunle Afolayan has revealed why an increasing number of Nigerian filmmakers are turning to YouTube to distribute their movies.
Speaking in a recent interview, Afolayan attributed the trend largely to the exchange rate between the naira and the US dollar, noting that filmmakers can potentially earn substantial revenue from YouTube views.
According to the filmmaker, with the dollar currently exchanging at about ₦1,400 to $1, a video that records one million views could generate approximately $10,000 in revenue, depending on several factors.
Afolayan argued that the financial incentive is a major reason filmmakers are moving their productions to the platform.
He added that if the exchange rate were to fall significantly to about ₦200 to a dollar, the attraction would diminish and many filmmakers would abandon YouTube.
He said in part …
“Nigerian filmmakers are rushing to YouTube because of the dollar exchange rate. At N1,400 to $1, they celebrate 1 million views because it can bring in about $10,000. But if the dollar falls to N200, everyone will run away from YouTube”.
Watch video below …
“Nigeria filmmakers are rushing to YouTube because of the dollar exchange rate. At ₦1,400 to $1, they celebrate 1 million views because it can bring in about $10,000. But if the dollar falls to ₦200,everyone will run away from YouTube.”
—Kunle Afolayan pic.twitter.com/gdPpVkpTzN
— carter🌚 (@carter8f) September 8, 2026
The filmmaker has previously sparked controversy within the Nigerian movie industry with his comments about the business side of filmmaking.
Earlier this year, he criticised some of his colleagues, including Toyin Abraham and Funke Akindele, over the way filmmakers promote their movies.
Afolayan also stated that he would not be interested in a film generating ₦1 billion or ₦2 billion at the cinema if he could not personally make at least ₦10 million from it.
He also took a swipe at the practice of actors and filmmakers dancing on social media as part of promotional campaigns for their movies.
