David Ochayi
(Bolaji Ogunmola. Photo by Independent News Nigeria)
Renowned Nollywood actress and producer Bolaji Ogunmola has pulled back the curtain on the harsh realities of creating films for YouTube, emphasizing that the platform was never optimized for cinematic content.
During an eye-opening discussion with Jay On-Air, Ogunmola detailed the steep financial hurdles filmmakers face, from skyrocketing talent fees to unpredictable returns. She revealed that top actors demand between ₦4 million and ₦5 million for just four days on set, while even mid-tier performers charge ₦1 million to ₦2 million.
Ogunmola also debunked the myth that viral YouTube films guarantee massive profits, explaining that view counts rarely translate to proportional earnings. She urged critics to recognize the immense effort and investment behind every production, no matter its reception.
The filmmaker highlighted Nigeria’s unique reliance on YouTube for film distribution—a consequence of the country’s fragmented traditional distribution networks. Unlike other film industries, Nollywood creators often turn to digital platforms out of necessity rather than choice.
