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Filmmaker Niyi Akinmolayan has reignited a long-running conversation within Nollywood, arguing that a compelling storyline on its own is not enough to guarantee that a film will succeed commercially at the box office.
According to him, budget plays just as critical a role in determining whether a movie thrives financially.
The director shared his thoughts on Wednesday while addressing the broader issue of funding and its impact on Nigerian filmmaking.
His comments come at a time when many within the industry continue to debate what truly separates a box office hit from a box office flop.
Taking to his Instagram page, Akinmolayan pushed back firmly against a narrative he believes is misleading young filmmakers.
He wrote that certain voices within the industry have been "gaslighting young and new filmmakers into thinking that they don't need high budgets to make commercially successful films," adding pointedly that "the top 20 highest grossing films all had high budget."
He didn't stop there. In a follow-up caption accompanying the post, the filmmaker issued a direct warning to anyone hoping to build a sustainable career in Nollywood as a business venture.
"Nollywood!! If you are in this for the business, Don't let anyone tell you all you need is a good story o. You will need money as well if you want to survive the space… and lots of it," he cautioned, emphasizing that financial backing remains a non-negotiable ingredient for lasting success in the industry.
Akinmolayan's remarks carry weight given his extensive filmography and standing within Nollywood. He has directed and produced several notable titles, including
The Wedding Party 2, Chief Daddy, The Set Up, Prophetess, and My Village People projects that have helped shape his reputation as one of the industry's more commercially minded creatives.
Beyond directing, he is also the founder of Anthill Studios, a production company whose portfolio includes multiple Nigerian film projects that have made their mark both locally and internationally.
Among his most recent ventures is Colours of Fire, a fantasy film that made its debut in Nigerian cinemas on December 24, 2025.
The project was a joint production between Anthill Studios and Imuetinyan Productions, with distribution handled by FilmOne Entertainment.
The film later crossed borders entirely, becoming available to a global audience when it premiered on Netflix on August 7, 2026.
Colours of Fire boasts a star-studded cast, featuring Osas Ighodaro, Uzor Arukwe, Gabriel Afolayan, Mercy Aigbe, Femi Jacobs, and Femi Branch, further cementing its place as one of Akinmolayan's more ambitious recent projects
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