Nollywood’s Financial Struggle: Omoni Oboli Highlights $6 Million Revenue Loss Due to Telegram Piracy!

Nollywood, Nigeria’s film industry, is losing an estimated $6 million annually due to rampant piracy, despite efforts by streaming platforms to make content more accessible through reduced subscription fees. Renowned actress Omoni Oboli warns that the popular messaging app Telegram has emerged as a major hotspot for the illegal distribution of Nollywood movies, further undermining the industry’s financial sustainability. Oboli calls for stricter penalties to combat this persistent challenge to intellectual property protection.

In an interview with Nairametrics, renowned Nollywood actress and producer Omoni Oboli discussed the growing financial crisis plaguing the Nigerian film industry due to the scourge of piracy.

Oboli revealed that the industry is estimated to lose a staggering $6 million annually due to rampant piracy, with the popular messaging app Telegram emerging as a major hotspot for the illicit distribution of Nollywood content. “Nollywood movies on YouTube are being pirated on Telegram channels, and we need stricter penalties for this menace,” she stated emphatically.

The financial impact of piracy has undermined efforts by streaming platforms like Netflix and Showmax to make Nollywood content more accessible through reduced subscription fees. Despite these initiatives, the industry continues to hemorrhage revenue as viewers flock to unauthorized channels on Telegram to access movies for free.

Oboli, known for her hit productions like Wives on Strike and Being Mrs. Elliot, has transitioned into producing and directing to assert more creative control over her work. However, she laments the persistent challenge of intellectual property theft, with pirates constantly finding new ways to exploit and profit from stolen content.

“It’s never easy to handle piracy or control the integrity of writers,” Oboli said. “Whoever works for us must understand what they’re signing that clearly stipulates that plagiarism will result in prosecution and monetary penalties.”

The acclaimed actress called for urgent government intervention to combat the piracy crisis, stressing that “penalties have to be strict and effective.” She also expressed frustration at the difficulty in tracking unauthorized “free watching parties” on Telegram, which further compounds the industry’s financial woes.

As Nollywood continues to evolve, addressing the persistent challenge of piracy will be crucial for the industry’s long-term sustainability and growth, according to Oboli. The $6 million annual revenue loss is a sobering reality that demands immediate and decisive action to protect the creative and financial future of Nigeria’s thriving film sector.