Bolaji Ogunmola has spoken about the growing challenges of producing films for YouTube, arguing that the platform was not originally designed for full-scale filmmaking.
In a recent interview on Jay On-Air, the Nollywood actress said that while YouTube has become a popular distribution channel, it presents significant financial and creative challenges for filmmakers.
Ogunmola explained that film production costs remain high despite the perception that YouTube movies generate substantial revenue from views.
“YouTube was never designed for films. Film is a very expensive art. Actors are collecting N4–5 million for four days. The least maybe N1–2 million,” she said.
She noted that many viewers underestimate the cost of production, stressing that even low-budget YouTube films require substantial investment.
According to her, actors’ fees and production expenses make YouTube filmmaking both expensive and risky for producers.
Ogunmola also urged audiences to be more understanding and constructive in their criticism of filmmakers on the platform, adding that every production, regardless of quality, involves financial commitment.
“Even the worst film on YouTube costs money to make,” she added.
She further observed that Nigeria stands out as one of the few countries where feature-length films are widely produced for YouTube, attributing this trend to challenges in traditional film distribution within the country.
Her comments highlight ongoing debates within the Nigerian film industry about evolving distribution models and the sustainability of digital-first filmmaking.
