Moses Babatope, the Managing Director of Nile Media Entertainment Group, spoke at the 2026 Nigerian International Film and TV Summit, urging the Nigerian film industry to focus on more than just making money at the box office. He emphasized the importance of treating films as valuable intellectual property that can earn money over time through various channels like streaming services, TV, and international licensing. Babatope shared that a film's success should be measured by its long-term value, not just how well it does in theaters during its opening weekend. He used the example of "The Wedding Party," which continues to generate income years after its release. He also highlighted that distribution should be seen as a strategic part of filmmaking, considering factors like audience preferences and the timing of releases. He noted that the Nigerian film industry has grown significantly in recent years, but it faces challenges such as high cinema costs, piracy, and competition for viewers' money. Despite these issues, he believes there is a strong demand for Nigerian films both locally and internationally, especially among the Nigerian diaspora in countries like the UK, US, Canada, and Australia. Babatope encouraged filmmakers to build on Nigeria's cultural strengths and to develop better distribution networks and international partnerships. He stressed that the future of Nigerian cinema should focus on creating content that can thrive across different platforms and markets, ensuring it continues to generate value beyond its initial release.
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