Once upon a time, not in Camelot, but in the bustling streets of Nigeria, there lived a tribe not of kings and knights, but of dreamers, directors, actors, and producers. They didn’t wear crowns, but they carried cameras. They didn’t ride horses, but they chased stories. And now, the fate of their kingdom, Nollywood, rests on a new kind of warrior.
Investors.
Not dragons. Not spells. Just cold, hard naira or dollars. And perhaps, a bit of vision.
And one of them just might be… Davido.
Davido Steps Into the Frame
Yes, the Afrobeats megastar David Adeleke, popularly known as Davido, has revealed his secret longing, if he wasn’t singing, he would have been making movies. Not just watching or acting, but producing, directing, building a legacy in Nollywood.
In a recent chat with content creator Darryl, Davido said, “I studied business marketing, so I would have still been in the entertainment space if I wasn’t singing, probably more behind the scenes.”
Now, he’s ready to walk that talk. Teaming up with his trusted music video director, Dammy Twitch, Davido says he’s investing in several film projects this year, and yes, he’s even eyeing acting roles.
“I can act for real,” he declared boldly. “I acted in ‘Jowo,’ ‘Nwa Baby’ — you can go check.”
Nollywood Needs More Than Passion — It Needs Capital
It’s no secret that money has always been Nollywood’s biggest challenge. While the talent is raw and the stories powerful, many filmmakers are forced to work with limited budgets, sacrificing quality just to complete a project.
But things are changing. Independent producers like Laju Iren have shown what’s possible when creativity meets smart funding. Her film Mistakenly Yours was released through a paid virtual cinema, drawing a global audience and racking up millions in ticket sales, before it even hit traditional platforms.
And how did she pull it off? Backing from investors like 56 Capital.
Tech Bros, Meet Filmmakers
A new trend is unfolding: tech investors are entering the movie scene and they’re not just testing the waters, they’re diving in.
Take Editi Effiong’s The Black Book for example. The film, reportedly made with over a million dollars, was backed by top tech names — Nadayer Enegesi (Eden Life), Ezra Olubi (Paystack), Olumide Soyombo (Voltron Capital), and more. It went on to become one of the biggest African titles on Netflix in 2023.
Soyombo sees Nollywood as the next big thing, while Subomi Plumptre of Volition Cap calls it a long-term goldmine. Her company has even introduced a cooperative-style investment model where small contributors pool resources, making it easier for average people to enter the game.
Streaming: The New Cinema
The rise of platforms like Netflix, Prime Video, and even YouTube has opened the gates. Films no longer need expensive cinema runs to break even or make a splash. Victoria Popoola of TalentX Africa says streaming has become the main way movies earn money, while cinema performances now serve more as a publicity boost.
With nearly $1 million invested in Nollywood content, TalentX is helping reshape how films are funded.
So Can an Average Nigerian Invest in Nollywood?
Real estate is the darling of the average and rich Nigerian. Everyone’s buying land in Epe or Ibadan, because “land no dey spoil.” But the question is, can Nollywood be another oil well for those without deep pockets?
The answer is: Yes — but tread carefully.
You don’t need tens of millions to invest in film. What you need is strategy. Not every film will become A Tribe Called Judah or The Black Book, but some will. The key is picking the right stories and, more importantly, the right producers.
If you have N500,000 or even N1 million and believe in a project, you can invest. But please — don’t just throw your money into a script you read at a bar. You need legal protection. At the very least, your agreement with the producer should include:
- Your exact investment amount
- Your expected return (percentage or fixed share)
- A timeline for returns (when you’ll start getting paid)
- Distribution plans (cinema, streaming, etc.)
- Your role or involvement in the project
- What happens if the film flops
- Who handles taxes, marketing, and platform fees
If all you do is transfer money without paperwork, you might as well be donating to charity.
It’s Not Real Estate — But It’s Still Gold
Unlike land, movies can’t be fenced or resold. They’re risky, no doubt. But that’s the beauty of it — you’re investing in something that can grow wings. A film can cross borders, create culture, and even birth a franchise.
And not every profitable film ends up in cinema. YouTube originals are making good money these days, and many producers are looking for silent partners to help get their stories off the ground.
So, no you don’t need to be rich. You just need to be smart.
Can a Movie Appreciate Like Land?
Land can appreciate, yes. You buy it today, and years later, it could be worth double or triple. But here’s a question that sounds silly until you think about it—can a movie appreciate? The answer is a big, surprising yes.
A well-made movie isn’t just entertainment. It’s a long-term asset. Think about it. A film that becomes a classic can keep making money long after it leaves the cinema. Streaming platforms like Netflix, Prime Video, and Showmax pay for rights to old movies. TV stations still show films made 10 or even 20 years ago and they pay the producers for it. That’s money while you sleep.
There’s also licensing, merchandise, International distribution, and festival screenings. Some movies even get bought and re-adapted by filmmakers in other countries. That’s a farm of cash growing from one creative seed.
So yes, land can sit and grow in value, but a movie, if done right, can move, speak, travel across borders, live forever, and keep sending money back home. Isn’t that a beautiful kind of investment?
