Veteran filmmaker Kunle Afolayan has weighed in on the growing number of Nigerian filmmakers turning to YouTube to distribute their movies, he further gave a reason for the shift.

Speaking on a podcast, Afolayan explained that youthe trend is being fuelled largely by the naira's weak exchange rate against the dollar rather than the platform's inherent value.

"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."

He noted that YouTube remains one of the most flexible and accessible platforms for filmmakers, especially those without the leverage to negotiate deals with major streamers like Netflix and Prime Video.

"If you don't have the strength to negotiate, you don't have access to the big players," he said, describing YouTube as an open starting point where filmmakers without connections can still make money once people watch their work.

Still, he maintained that the platform's current appeal is tied almost entirely to currency value rather than YouTube outperforming traditional streaming.

Afolayan's point is that the attraction may not be YouTube itself, but how much the dollar earnings are worth when converted to naira, and he believes some producers may no longer see the platform as financially appealing if the exchange rate changes significantly.

Afolayan, CEO of Golden Effects Pictures and director of the Netflix-distributed hit "Aníkúlápó," is regarded as one of Nollywood's leading voices on distribution and the business of filmmaking.

“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