Ruth Kadiri Calls Out Nollywood Trend of Buying YouTube Views
Nigerian actress and producer Ruth Kadiri has raised alarm over a growing trend of Nollywood filmmakers buying views on YouTube to artificially boost the perceived success of their films. Speaking at a session during the Africa International Film Festival (AFRIFF), Kadiri urged honest conversations about digital challenges facing the industry. She explained that the reliance on fake view numbers distorts the market, making it harder for hardworking filmmakers to get recognition based on real audience engagement. Kadiri noted that two years ago, a million views was a major achievement for independent producers—but now, for some, it’s just a baseline due to manipulated numbers. Her comments drew support and debate from industry peers, who acknowledged that inflated metrics can fuel unhealthy competition and distract from the importance of quality storytelling. Kadiri encouraged young filmmakers not to be pressured by online figures […]