Nollywood actress Bolaji Ogunmola has opened up about the realities of filmmaking in Nigeria, stressing that movie production remains extremely expensive despite the growing popularity of YouTube film releases.
Speaking during an interview with Jay on Air, the actress explained that YouTube was never intended to be a filmmaking platform, even though many Nigerian producers now rely on it for distribution.
“YouTube was never designed for films,” she said.
“Film is a very expensive art.”
According to Bolaji, production budgets continue to rise due to actor fees, logistics, crew expenses, locations, and post-production requirements.
She revealed that some actors charge between ₦4 million and ₦5 million for just a few days on set, while others earn between ₦1 million and ₦2 million, depending on the project.
The actress also argued that many viewers underestimate the cost of producing films released on YouTube.
“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,” she said.
“And nobody’s trying to play a terrible film.”
Bolaji stressed that filmmaking involves careful planning and coordination across multiple departments before a project can succeed.
According to her, producers must secure the right script, cast members, locations, technical crew, and post-production team while still managing unpredictable challenges that may arise during filming.
“When we want to put together a movie, first of all, the story, I need the right cast, the right location, the right team, and the right post production team,” she explained.
“You can plan everything to the tee and it will still fall apart.”
Her comments come amid the growing shift of many Nigerian filmmakers toward YouTube as an alternative distribution channel.
In recent years, YouTube has become increasingly important for independent filmmakers due to rising distribution costs and the expanding influence of digital streaming culture.
The platform now hosts thousands of Nollywood productions, ranging from low-budget independent projects to professionally produced films featuring top actors.
However, discussions continue within the industry regarding sustainability, production quality, monetization, and whether YouTube revenues can adequately support rising filmmaking costs.
Bolaji Ogunmola’s remarks have since sparked online conversations, with many filmmakers and movie lovers agreeing that audiences often underestimate the financial pressures behind Nollywood film production.
