Introduction

The Nigerian film and television industry is one of the largest in the world [1]. Production is prolific and the industry has achieved global recognition for its unique stories which vividly showcase the culture of the Nigerian people.

With the emergence of generative AI in 2022, we have been monitoring closely the impact on Nigeria’s film and television industry. Our 2024 survey on the use of AI in Nigeria’s film and television industry found that 35% of stakeholders in the film & TV industry already use AI in their work, while another 35% are actively considering its adoption. Indeed, advancements in AI have fueled discussions on its integration in the cultural and creative industries [2] within which film and TV are a key segment.  

This article analyses the implications of AI in Nigeria’s creative industry and touches on the following:

• the possible applications of AI in the industry;
• the current applications of AI in Nigerian Film and TV productions;
• the challenges associated with AI adoption in the industry;
• solutions to the challenges and pitfalls associated with AI adoption, and
• gives insight into the future of AI in the Nigerian TV industry.

AI in the Film and TV Industry: Possibilities [3]

The phases of film production typically include: preproduction, production, post-production and marketing/distribution. The possibilities in relation to the use of AI during each phase are as follows:

1. In the preproduction phase, AI tools can assist script writers in idea generation, idea refinement [4], plot development and even writing of the script itself. This assistance can be provided through the analysis of existing data by AI in order to suggest storylines, dialogues and characters that resonate with target audiences. This is invaluable, considering the time and energy it will save scriptwriters in respect of productions that run on tight deadlines. AI tools can analyse the commercial potential of a script ahead of production by assessing factors such as character development, emotional depth amongst other constituents of the script. Essentially, they can help film makers make stories that would be commercially successful.
   AI can also assist in respect of talent management by streamlining the casting process through an analysis of target audience preferences, actors’ past performances, and other data available. This approach can assist producers in making decisions on the best fits for roles in their productions.

2. Film makers can streamline various processes in the production stage through the use of AI by automating tasks such as budgeting, scheduling and choosing scenes that best align with the storyline in the film. AI-driven equipment can assist in visual effects and enable creators make real-time adjustments that reflect positively on the overall production [5].

3. In the post-production phase, AI tools can suggest or execute enhancements on captured content, providing the producer with a wide range of options during colour grading, editing and improving visual and sound effects [6]. Such tools can analyse footage and apply professional adjustments in less time than it would take traditional methods. This enables film editors to save time and resources that would have otherwise been spent on a tedious post-production process.

4. At the distribution phase, AI can analyze film content and make suggestions on audience preferences, distribution platforms, marketing strategies amongst others [7]. This enables creators reach wider audiences across linguistic and cultural divides. Streaming Platforms, already use artificial intelligence to understand user preferences and suggest programs that would suit such users.
   AI tools can also assist with content protection post-distribution. Such tools can be used by creators to scan the internet in order to identify pirated copyright protected materials. Deploying such tools in respect of Nigerian productions would assist creatives in curbing piracy and ensuring that revenue from distribution, flows to rights holders.

However, it is important to note that many of these AI tools are at a cost, and it remains unclear how many filmmakers particularly within the Nigerian industry can realistically afford or adopt them at scale. This cost barrier may significantly influence the pace and extent of AI uptake in practice.  Development of AI tools by the industry is also something that we are monitoring and this may well impact on the cost issue.

AI in the Nigerian Film and TV Industry: The Reality and Benefits [8]

At the time of publication of this article, use of AI in Nigeria’s film and television industry is on the rise. Examples include:

• Makemation the wholly AI generated film by Rise Interactive Studios;
• Productions on Popcentral such as The Silent Billionaire and Table of Sin, features AI generated content;
• TVC News, a broadcast television in Nigeria, has announced plans to introduce artificial intelligence news anchors that deliver bulletin in five major local languages.

Just recently, in a negotiation we were involved in, the talent a prominent figure in Nigeria’s Creative and Cultural Industries (CCI) was clearly using AI to assist in the communication and documentation being exchanged. It was an interesting one for us and had to be managed and the benefits or otherwise of this are the subject of another article.

Now the benefits in production include:

• Cost savings and improved efficiency: Perhaps the most important benefit of using AI is its potential to reduce costs [9] and save time [10]. As discussed above, swift analysis of large amounts of data, visual effects processing and automated editing helps in minimizing the time required to execute tasks associated with production. This assists filmmakers in creating content in a faster and cheaper way without compromising quality.
• Enhanced creativity: While using AI, creators are benefiting from its unique intelligence based on the vast amount of data used to train AI models. Creators utilise AI to create previews and test scene simulations before such scenes are actually shot. It could also help them auto detect and fix flaws in shots. The results are high quality productions that can compete comfortably in the global market. That the data the LLM are trained on is predominantly not from Nigeria or Africa is well noted by us and being closely monitored.
• Inclusivity and reach: AI models can assist the Nigerian film industry in reaching larger audiences by breaking language barriers through the automatic generation of subtitles and dubbing for their films. This reach will bolster Nigeria’s cultural footprint and increase the demand for its productions. Energy required, connectivity, accuracy and more are part of the key considerations where this benefit is concerned.

Challenges and Pitfalls of AI Adoption in the Industry [11]

Despite the widespread acclaim and impressive benefits associated with the application of AI in the Nigerian film and TV industry, there are still a number of drawbacks some of which have been touched on above. More on this here:

Technological Barriers:

While a number of top-tier film producers in the country may have access to modern AI integrated production equipment, this is not true for a host of other creators. Most of such equipment are sold in foreign currency especially the United States Dollar. A relatively weak naira when compared to the dollar means that creators have to spend a fortune to acquire decent equipment with AI integration. 

While they may assist in saving costs in the long run, the initial costs and license renewals for AI technologies are expensive. This has prohibited a number of film creators from adopting AI in their productions.

Most AI programs are cloud based. This invariably means that good internet connection would go a long way in accessing such programs. However, high-speed internet is an issue with which Nigerian film and TV creators are grappling [12]. It is a major issue because film content usually involves heavy files. Uploading and downloading such content to and from AI programs would require high speed and steady internet. 

The gaps highlighted above hinder the widespread adoption of AI technologies in Nigeria especially by small scale producers.

Skill Gaps:

There is a shortage of skilled personnel versed with technical know-how to handle AI and advanced film making technologies. This denotes that even if such tools are available, skilled technicians are few and far between.

Creativity vs AI:

While the benefits of AI are lauded, there are concerns about it stifling creativity. The pertinent question is, where is the allure in creativity if just about anyone can utilize AI to create something good or even better than a notable creator? This has led to ripples throughout the global creative industry. Such ripples have spawned discussions featuring themes such as IP ownership rights and job displacement.

Regulatory Challenges:

There is currently no AI regulation in Nigeria. However, Nigeria’s Federal Executive Council recently approved its National AI Strategy [13] and the National Intellectual Property Policy and Strategy. The provisions of these policies will guide on use of AI in Nigeria’s film and TV industry. Nigeria does have other key legislation on data privacy and protection, copyright and cybersecurity etc. which are critical to the safe and legitimate use of AI for film and TV production. However, without a dedicated rule book or bible as it were, the ethical, operational and legal risks where the use of AI in the film and TV industry is concerned are high. The need for our regulators and law makers to be agile in their approach to regulation and legislation is now urgent and necessary. The days of the law playing catch up is not the way forward any longer, indeed, if it ever was.

Ethical concerns:

AI comes with a number of ethical concerns such as:

• Job displacements – The replacement of creatives with AI tools such as Chat GPT for instance [14].
• Perpetuating existing biases inherent in the data with which it was trained [15].
• Transparency – It is important for audiences to know that AI was utilized in creating the content they are consuming [16].
• Creativity and originality will be put into question - The use of AI would invariably mean that it would to an extent, influence creative decisions, thus putting into question, the originality of Nigerian productions. If AI models are heavily relied on, there is a risk that Nigerian films would lose that distinctive touch that makes them unique.

Solutions and Strategies for surmounting the Challenges to AI Adoption [17]

More on solutions and strategies hereunder:

Training and Education:

In order to bridge the skill gap analysed above, it would be helpful for film institutes in Nigeria to include AI focused courses into their curricula. Industry initiatives involving collaborations between tech entities and film experts, to train film makers on the use of AI tools would be helpful in equipping film makers with the necessary skills to interact effectively with AI tools. The initiative by Google as regards AI training is a welcome development. The film and TV industry is not exempt from applying AI governance principles when deploying AI in the workplace and in productions. Legal practitioners and other experts must be engaged and or offer their expertise on the safe use of AI in the workplace, the ethical, operational and legal issues arising, governance principles etc.

Investments in Infrastructure:

Investments are the lifeblood of innovation. In the absence of same, there is a huge financing gap which if not filled may lead to underdevelopment in the Nigerian film and TV industry. Filling this gap would require collaboration between the public and private sectors. Such collaborations could result in the establishment of creative centers where fast internet, cloud-based AI programs and state-of-the-art equipment are provided for low fees in respect of all stages of film and TV productions. It is imperative that Nigeria’s AI Strategy, NIPPS etc. are properly resourced and implemented to address these infrastructural and other gaps.

Ethical Guidelines:

One way to curb ethical concerns regarding AI use in the industry is by creating standards and guidelines. The government is generally expected to take the first step in this regard. However, while deliberations are ongoing in respect of the national AI strategy and or regulation of AI, groups within the Nigerian creative industry can step up with initiatives and guidelines which lay down standards on how AI can be safely used in the industry. Even though such guidelines would not have the force of law, they would be helpful in creating best practices regarding AI use in the industry. Again, this is where the legal experts and other consultants’ skills, knowledge and experience will be very useful.

Future Outlook

One word that best describes the future of the industry in Nigeria is “Limitless”. The future of AI in the industry is one where it is incorporated in every aspect of production and all its benefits are fully maximized. With the strategic and controlled incorporation of AI, the industry will no doubt see increased top tier productions. We could also have scenarios where AI is not only assisting production but driving it. An alternate future is one where we may have scenarios wherein scripts are fully generated by AI; most actors are not real people and over half of the tasks associated with film production are handled by artificial intelligence. However, whether this is good or bad news for creatives within the industry, depends on how well they adapt or what limits are placed on the use or incorporation of AI in creative works. This is where AI legislation or guidelines come in. Achieving a brilliant future of ethical AI adoption is possible where we continuously discuss these issues and push for two major things: (i) the promulgation of an AI legislation in Nigeria or at least the issuance of a strategy with guidelines on AI use and (ii) the continual amendments of such guidelines to adapt with changing times and pressure from other industries outside Nigeria. The important point to note in all these is that it is best to act quickly and take steps as the rest of the world is doing so, or else, we risk getting left far behind.

Conclusion

AI integration in the Nigerian film and TV industry heralds both amazing opportunities and a number of formidable challenges. There is no gainsaying the fact that AI can revolutionise the industry by increasing efficiency, global reach and creativity. However, there are great hurdles to surmount. By improving investments, ensuring timely regulation and pushing for the training of creatives, the industry can fully harness the might of AI. Thoughtfully embracing the offerings of AI will in no small way ensure that the industry remains on top without eroding the ingredients that make our stories so compelling.

The 2^nd edition of our survey on the use of AI in Film and TV will be published in the first quarter of 2026. Watch out.

Final Note – Evolving Developments

This article is intended to provide an outlook on the current realities and adoption of AI in the Nigerian film and television industry. However, given the rapid pace at which AI and technology continue to advance, it is possible that new developments have emerged between the time of writing and the time of reading. Readers should therefore treat the insights provided as reflective of the position at the date of publication and consult updated sources where necessary. As legal practitioners working closely within the creative and technology sectors, we will continue to monitor developments closely and communicate significant updates as they arise.

[1] Nollywood | Movies, TV, & Film Industry | Britannica; https://www.britannica.com/topic/Nollywood

[2] Artificial Intelligence in Film and TV report by GlobalData

[3] The next section explores the reality and benefit of AI in the film and tv industry in Nigeria

[4] How Generative AI Can Augment Human Creativity (HBR)

[5] AI's Impact on Modern Filmmaking

[6] Ibid

[7] How AI is Transforming the Film Industry: A Comprehensive Guide

[8] The next section deals with the challenges and pitfalls of the adoption of AI in the film and tv industry in Nigeria

[9] We refer to our comments above on costs of AI tools. When considering the use of AI tools, it is important to assess whether their adoption will result in meaningful cost savings and improved efficiency.

[10] AI Can Shave Millions From Film Production Costs Without Replacing Creatives, Study Finds - TheWrap

[11] The next section outlines the solutions to these challenges associated with AI adoption in Nigeria.

[12] Abejide Ade-Ibijola and Chinedu Okonkwo, Artificial Intelligence in Africa: Emerging Challenges; Artificial Intelligence in Africa: Emerging Challenges | SpringerLink

[13] ncair.nitda.gov.ng/wp-content/uploads/2024/08/National-AI-Strategy_01082024-copy.pdf

[14] 11 Common Ethical Issues in Artificial Intelligence| Technology Solutions | CompTIA

[15] The Ethical Challenges of AI | University of the People |

[16] Ibid

[17] The next session deals with the future outlook of AI adoption in Nigeria