Terngu Iorfa
Renowned Nollywood icon Omotola Jalade-Ekeinde has highlighted how Afrobeats and Nigerian music soared to global fame faster than the country’s film industry.
During a candid discussion on the Afropolitan podcast, she attributed this disparity primarily to financial constraints.
The multi-talented star, who has also ventured into music and once ran a record label, emphasized that producing music demands far fewer resources compared to filmmaking.
“Funding remains Nollywood’s biggest hurdle. Music creation isn’t as capital-intensive—unless you’re aiming for extravagant music videos, which aren’t as common anymore.
“Trendy, low-budget content often outperforms high-cost productions because audiences crave authenticity.
“Many artists now create viral hits simply by filming casual moments at home or with friends. That raw appeal resonates with fans.
“But films don’t have that luxury. Even a modest production requires at least 30 cast and crew members,” she noted.
