The controversy began when acclaimed Nigerian filmmaker Kunle Afolayan spoke at the 2024 Zuma International Film Festival. Afolayan revealed that Netflix had cancelled several commissioned projects from unnamed filmmakers, despite the success of his own Netflix-backed films globally.

“Three years ago, when we signed the three-film deal with Netflix, it was really exciting,” Afolayan shared. He added, “Thank God we had shot seasons two and three [of Anikulapo] because all the other people that were commissioned with us at the same time were cancelled.”

Although Afolayan did not explicitly state that Netflix is leaving Nigeria, his remarks fueled rumours that the platform might scale back its presence. These speculations gained traction following Amazon Prime’s abrupt exit from Nigeria in January 2024, just a year after launching a massive slate of original content in the country.

In response to the growing rumours, a Netflix spokesperson told TechCabal on Wednesday, “We are not exiting Nigeria. We will continue to invest in Nigerian stories to delight our audience.” While the spokesperson did not address Afolayan’s claims directly, the statement reaffirmed Netflix’s commitment to the Nigerian market.

Despite Netflix’s assurances, challenges remain. The platform faces tough competition in Nigeria’s price-sensitive streaming market, where Showmax, operated by Multichoice, dominates due to its affordability. At ₦7,000 ($4) per month, Netflix’s subscription fee is seen as a luxury, especially as inflation and naira devaluation strain consumer spending power.

Netflix’s journey in Nigeria began in 2016, licensing major local films and investing over $23 million in the country’s film industry since then. It has supported more than 250 locally produced titles, including hits like Lionheart, The Wedding Party 2, and King of Boys. The platform also partnered with renowned producers, including Mo Abudu’s EbonyLife Productions and Kunle Afolayan, signing multi-title deals to elevate Nigerian storytelling globally.

However, with increasing economic pressures and stiff competition from local players, Netflix’s ability to retain its position in the Nigerian streaming landscape will undoubtedly be tested in the coming years.