In a signed statement, Nollywood collective Entertainment Stakeholders has challenged allegations made by comedian and filmmaker Bright Okpocha, popularly known as Basketmouth, demanding that he provides proof to back statements he made during a November 2024 interview.
The statement is signed by Obinna Okerekeocha, Charles Uwagbai, Tunde Adeoye, Bolakale Oba, and Alhaji Abdulahi Abdulrasak (Corporate Pictures) on behalf of the nearly three-hundred-member Entertainment Stakeholder, a group of Nigerian filmmakers and entertainment executives.
Context: What Necessitated the Statement?
This discourse gained traction following remarks by comedian and filmmaker Bright Okpocha while promoting his movie ‘A Ghetto Love Story.’ In a recent interview on Arise TV, he alleged that some Nollywood producers receive substantial funding—sometimes as high as $1.5 million—but allocate only a fraction of it to actual film production. According to Basketmouth, this practice has resulted in lower production values and diminished the quality of Nigerian films, particularly in the streaming era. He further claimed that when streaming platforms attempted to pay actors directly to ensure transparency, some producers pressured actors to return portions of their salaries.
Basketmouth’s allegations surfaced amid Netflix’s reported decision to halt acquisitions and funding for Nollywood films as of November 2024, as disclosed by Victor Okhai, President of the Directors Guild of Nigeria, during a panel discussion including Kunle Afolayan at the Zuma Film Festival in Abuja. Although Netflix has publicly refuted claims that it is pulling back from Nollywood, its investment trajectory remains a subject of debate.
Since its entry into Nigeria in 2020, Netflix has helped Nollywood gain further global recognition, investing $23 million in Nigerian productions by 2022. However, this was significantly less than the $125 million it allocated to South Africa, due to better infrastructure and higher returns in that market.
Against this backdrop, a coalition of entertainment stakeholders has released the following statement, urging caution against unverified claims while calling for accountability and transparency in discussions surrounding Nollywood’s financial practices.
Entertainment Stakeholders’ Statement
In recent times, rumours have surfaced suggesting that some Nollywood producers allegedly misuse substantial portions of their production budgets, diverting funds toward personal luxuries rather than investing in high-quality films. These claims have been cited as one of the reasons Netflix has reportedly scaled back its involvement in the Nigerian film industry.
This controversy gained momentum when Bright Okpocha, popularly known as “Basketmouth,” expressed his perspective during an interview. He remarked:
“When the streaming platforms came in, they gave money to these producers, and I’ll tell you point blank: these producers would take the money—$1.5 million or whatever they give them—and use about 10% of that money to make the movie. So, when you do that and expect your movie to be 100%, it can’t. It’s impossible. But these guys? They’ll cut, buy houses, buy cars. And that’s why when you see our movies, some of our epic movies look like stage plays.”
While Netflix has not released an official statement connecting these allegations to its reduced engagement, Basketmouth’s comments have undeniably fuelled public discourse on the matter.
As stakeholders in the entertainment industry, we acknowledge that these rumours have circulated quietly within Nollywood, particularly among actors and crew members. However, we categorically reject any broad generalisations that discredit the exceptional work being carried out by a significant number of professionals in the Nigerian film industry.
It is important to note that while inflammatory remarks may grab headlines, they can also harm the reputation and progress of Nollywood. Making sweeping allegations without substantiating them is not only irresponsible but also morally unjust. Such claims, if unverified, undermine the tireless efforts of dedicated filmmakers who continue to elevate the standards of Nigerian cinema.
We urge caution against making unverified claims, generalisations, or casting aspersions on the industry under the guise of commentary. These actions do not contribute to constructive dialogue but instead tarnish the collective achievements of Nollywood.
In the spirit of accountability and fairness, we invite anyone making these allegations to substantiate their claims. If there are specific producers who have misused commission funds for personal gain, resulting in subpar productions, we challenge accusers to name these individuals and provide evidence. Should no names or proof be presented within seven days, we will regard these rumours as baseless and without merit.
Signed,
Entertainment Stakeholders
ABOUT ENTERTAINMENT STAKEHOLDERS
Entertainment Stakeholders is a dynamic collective of professionals, enthusiasts, and visionaries united by a shared passion for Nigeria’s thriving entertainment industry, with a special focus on Nollywood. This virtual community serves as a vibrant hub where key players in the industry come together to discuss, dissect, and deliberate on the myriad facets of entertainment. Their discussions span from the celebratory highs and groundbreaking wins to the challenges and lows that shape the Nollywood narrative.
Signed for Entertainment Stakeholders:
Obinna Okerekeocha
Charles Uwagbai
Tunde Adeoye
Bolakale Oba
Alhaji Abdullahi Abdulrazak
