Veteran Nollywood actress Omotola Jalade‑Ekeinde has pointed to funding limitations as a major factor slowing the global expansion of Nigeria’s film industry compared with the rapid international success of Afrobeats.
Speaking during an appearance on the Afropolitan Podcast, the actress explained that the cost of producing music is generally far lower than that of making films, giving musicians a major advantage when it comes to reaching global audiences.
According to Jalade-Ekeinde, Afrobeats artists have benefited from the rise of viral content, where simple and low-budget recordings can quickly gain international attention online.
She noted that many musicians now produce content in informal settings, sometimes recording performances with friends or in their homes, which audiences often find authentic and appealing.
However, the actress said filmmaking operates under a very different structure.
Unlike music production, she explained, film projects require a larger workforce and more complex logistics, including cast members, technical crew, equipment, and production coordination.
“What is holding Nollywood back is mostly funding,” she said during the discussion.
Jalade-Ekeinde added that even low-budget film productions still require significant resources to bring together the necessary team.
“The cheapest movie would probably still have like 30 cast and crew,” she noted.
She argued that without stronger investment and financial support, Nollywood may continue to struggle to match the global scale and visibility achieved by Afrobeats in recent years.
The Nigerian film industry remains one of the largest in the world by volume, but industry stakeholders have repeatedly highlighted funding, distribution, and infrastructure as key challenges affecting its international competitiveness.
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