Lateef Adedimeji calms fans as Netflix stays committed to Nigerian stories

Amid rising concerns about Netflix’s involvement in Nigerian film projects, Nollywood star Lateef Adedimeji has reassured fans that his relationship with the streaming giant remains intact.

He confirmed that the much-anticipated sequel to his hit movie, Lisabi: A Legend Is Born, will premiere on Netflix in January 2025.

The drama began on Wednesday when Nigerians were taken aback by reports suggesting Netflix’s potential exit from the country.

The speculation followed a statement by acclaimed filmmaker Kunle Afolayan during the 2024 Zuma Film Festival, where he revealed that Netflix had ceased funding for directors.

Afolayan explained that his project, Anikulapo: The Rise of the Spectre, narrowly escaped the cuts since it had already secured approval for two additional seasons, which were completed prior to Netflix’s funding halt.

Other filmmakers still in production, however, were reportedly left in limbo due to the decision.

This sparked widespread apprehension, particularly among fans of local content who feared the future of ongoing series and anticipated sequels, such as Lisabi.

Netflix swiftly clarified to journalists that they were not leaving Nigeria but did not directly address Afolayan’s claims about halting funding for projects.

Instead, the platform reiterated its commitment to supporting Nigerian stories, albeit without specifying the format this support would take.

Lateef Adedimeji, the lead star of Lisabi, addressed fans’ concerns via a post on X (formerly Twitter).

“The internet got not-so-good news about our principal partners, Netflix, yesterday, and a lot of people have expressed concerns about Lisabi: A Legend Is Born,” he wrote.

Reassuring fans, Adedimeji confirmed the sequel’s scheduled release.

“We’re pleased to announce to you that our relationship with the streaming platform is intact, and the second part of our blockbuster movie, Lisabi, will hit Netflix in January as promised,” he stated.

He concluded by encouraging fans to anticipate a thrilling cinematic experience, promising that the trailer and poster would be released soon. “Anticipate magic!” he teased.

While Netflix’s ambiguous stance has left many industry stakeholders uneasy, Adedimeji’s assurance has provided a glimmer of hope for audiences eager to see more Nigerian stories on the global platform.