AY Comedian Criticizes Lack of Support from Male Colleagues in Nollywood
Popular Nigerian actor and comedian Ayodeji Richard Makun, famously known as AY, has expressed his frustration over the limited support he receives from male colleagues in the movie industry.
The entertainer recently took to social media to highlight how men in the industry tend to rally behind female artists more often. Despite this, AY reaffirmed his commitment to his craft, emphasizing his determination to promote his latest film without relying on external support.
“One day, men will have a conversation about what men do to each other,” he wrote. “We work tirelessly to stay relevant and handle our responsibilities. Do we need to have certain physical attributes to gain support from our peers? I’m one of the few men still pushing the boundaries of filmmaking. The Waiter is a fantastic movie, and I’ll keep promoting it wholeheartedly. I’m too legit to quit.”
AY Weighs in on Netflix’s Challenges in Nigeria
In a related development, AY shared his perspective on the controversy surrounding Netflix and its approach to Nigerian original films. His comments come after filmmaker Kunle Afolayan claimed that Netflix had stopped commissioning local content, sparking widespread debate.
AY clarified that Netflix is not exiting the Nigerian market but might be adjusting its strategy due to financial hurdles. He pointed out that the platform’s expenditure in Nigeria exceeds its revenue, primarily due to shared subscriptions and the relatively low number of individual subscribers.
“Nigeria has over 200 million people, but only about 300,000 Netflix subscriptions,” AY revealed. “Many people share one account instead of subscribing individually, and that affects the platform’s revenue. It’s not just about filmmakers; it reflects on us as a society.”
The comedian further noted that Netflix’s decision to re-strategize isn’t unusual, as businesses often reassess operations when they’re not generating adequate returns. Despite these challenges, AY remains optimistic about the platform’s ongoing involvement in Nigeria’s film industry.
He concluded, “I recently had a meeting with Netflix, and we discussed my upcoming project. They’re not leaving Nigeria, but they are working to address the issues affecting their structure here.”
