Nollywood actress and filmmaker Bolaji Ogunmola has shed light on the financial realities behind movie production in Nigeria, revealing the enormous costs filmmakers face despite the growing popularity of digital platforms like YouTube.
Speaking during an interview with Jay-on-air, the actress explained that many viewers often underestimate the level of investment required to produce films, especially those released on YouTube.
According to her, the streaming platform was never originally structured for filmmaking, yet many producers now rely on it as an alternative distribution channel in a highly competitive entertainment industry.
“YouTube was never designed for films. Film is a very expensive art. Yeah. It’s expensive,” she said.
The 34-year-old filmmaker also disclosed that actor fees alone can consume a large portion of a movie budget, noting that some performers charge between ₦4 million and ₦5 million for just a few days on set.
“Actors are collecting four or five million. For four days, for five,” she stated.
Bolaji argued that audiences are often quick to criticise films released online without understanding the financial sacrifices and production efforts involved behind the scenes.
“If you see anybody do a YouTube film and you are thinking, ‘What is she doing?’ — even the worst film on YouTube costs money to make. And nobody’s trying to play a terrible film,” she added.
The actress further highlighted the importance of preparation and structure in filmmaking, stressing that successful movie production goes beyond simply assembling actors and cameras.
According to her, filmmakers must carefully plan every stage of production, from storytelling and casting to location scouting and post-production.
“When we want to put together a movie, first of all, the story — I need the right cast. I need the right location, the right team, and the right post-production team,” she explained.
Her comments reflect the growing conversation within Nollywood about rising production costs, digital distribution, and the pressure on filmmakers to deliver quality content despite limited funding and increasing audience expectations.
With YouTube becoming an increasingly popular platform for Nigerian filmmakers seeking wider visibility and direct audience engagement, many industry players continue to debate whether the platform can truly sustain high-quality film production in the long term.