If you thought Nollywood was only for Nigerian eyes, think again. At a recent workshop in Lagos, YouTube dropped a stat that made everyone in the room raise their eyebrows: over 70% of views on Nigerian-produced content actually come from outside the country. Yep, Nollywood isn’t just making waves locally—it’s practically a global tsunami.
From blockbuster movies to music videos like Rema’s Calm Down (which casually crossed 1 billion views ), Nigerian creators are leaning hard into YouTube. And honestly? It makes sense. While Netflix, Prime Video, and Showmax have been cool stopovers, creators are realizing they can connect directly with fans—and monetize—without waiting for gatekeepers.
The audience? Already waiting for them on YouTube.And the numbers back it up. Watch time on Nigerian-made content grew by 55% as of late 2024, with over 2 million Nigerians now streaming on their TVs. But here’s the twist: despite Nigeria’s massive 200M+ population and rising internet access, a huge chunk of Nollywood’s views are foreign eyeballs.
Meaning? Nigerian stories are crossing borders faster than ever.Even Nollywood star Bolaji Ogunmola summed it up best: “For many Nigerians, YouTube is the new TV. It’s where audiences discover stories, share them, and build fandoms that reach across borders.”YouTube seems ready to help push that momentum too.
According to Miebaka Anga, their Strategic Partner Manager: it’s not just about the platform—it’s about giving creators the right playbook to go global.One thing is clear: Nollywood is no longer just Nigeria’s pride—it’s the world’s binge-watch.
