**Why Afrobeats Took Over the World Before Nollywood Could – Omotola Jalade-Ekeinde** Veteran Nollywood actress and singer, Omotola Jalade-Ekeinde, has shed light on why Nigerian music, especially Afrobeats, gained international recognition faster than our beloved movie industry. In a recent episode of the Afropolitan podcast, Jalade-Ekeinde identified funding as the primary reason behind this phenomenon. As someone who has had a foot in both music and movie production, Jalade-Ekeinde pointed out that music requires significantly less funding than film production. Unlike the elaborate sets, cast, and crew required for movie production, music can be created with minimal investment. Even music videos, which are often expensive, have become less extravagant in recent times. In fact, simple, organic ideas that go viral often make more impact than big-budget productions. This is why many Nigerian artists have been able to break into the global scene with little more than a smartphone and a catchy tune. They record songs in their homes or with friends, and their authenticity resonates with listeners worldwide. Unfortunately, this approach is not feasible for film production, which requires a large cast and crew, even for low-budget projects. In Nollywood, big-budget movies are still the norm, and even low-budget productions often have a significant team of cast and crew. This makes it challenging for our films to compete with international productions in terms of quality and production values. Jalade-Ekeinde's insights provide a valuable perspective on the challenges facing Nollywood and the need for innovative solutions to stay competitive in the global market. As Nigeria continues to produce talented artists and filmmakers, it's time to rethink our approach to movie production and explore more cost-effective and innovative ways to create high-quality content that can compete with the best in the world.