Veteran filmmaker Wale Adenuga, the creator of iconic Nigerian TV shows like Papa Ajasco and Super Story, has openly criticized Netflix’s operations in Nigeria.
In a strongly worded statement titled “A Critique of Netflix’s Approach in Nigeria,” Adenuga accused the streaming giant of perpetuating a flawed system that prioritizes connections over quality and creativity in its movie selection process.
Adenuga lamented that Netflix and similar platforms have relied heavily on the influence of wealthy and well-connected producers, sidelining truly talented filmmakers without access to such networks.
He argued that the selection process has degraded the quality of Nigerian films featured on the platform.
“The problem lies in the corrupted and poor selection process of movies. Without a shadow of a doubt, I believe that Netflix and similar platforms based their acquisitions more on how famous and connected the producers were, rather than the creativity and quality of the films themselves,” Adenuga said.
He compared the current state of Nigerian films on Netflix unfavorably to older works by legends like Tunde Kelani and Zeb Ejiro, which he claimed were far superior in storytelling and audience impact.
Adenuga also alleged that when international representatives visit Nigeria, some producers exploit the opportunity for personal gain, leaving the broader industry neglected.
Calling for reform, Adenuga urged Netflix to adopt a transparent and inclusive approach to acquiring Nigerian content. He proposed an open competition where producers from all walks of life can pitch their work, ensuring that the best stories and productions represent Nigeria globally.
“A good movie that scores 90 per cent on storyline and 50 per cent on technicalities will be far more embraced by the Nigerian audience than a movie with a 90 per cent technical score but only 50 per cent on storyline,” Adenuga concluded.
The filmmaker’s candid remarks have sparked discussions about fairness, quality, and inclusivity in the Nigerian film industry’s collaborations with international platforms.