The future of Nigerian entertainment: How AI revolutionized Nollywood and music in 2023
Here is how AI changed the trajectory of Nollywood and music from the start of 2023.
By *Adeola Oladeinde*
The year 2023 marked a turning point for Nigeria’s entertainment industry as Artificial Intelligence (AI) reshaped the way movies were produced, music was created, and content was consumed.
What once seemed like futuristic technology became a game-changer in Nollywood and the music industry, improving efficiency, creativity, and global reach.
How AI Transformed Nollywood in 2023
- Nollywood, known for its rapid production cycles and high output, faced persistent challenges like budget constraints, low production quality, and distribution bottlenecks. In 2023, AI became a vital tool in overcoming these issues:
- AI-Powered Scriptwriting & Editing: Advanced AI tools like DeepStory and OpenAI’s ChatGPT helped Nigerian filmmakers refine scripts, enhance dialogues, and predict audience engagement.
- AI-Driven CGI & Special Effects: High-budget CGI was once a limitation in Nollywood, but AI-assisted VFX software enabled local studios to produce Hollywood-standard visual effects on a fraction of the budget.
- Smart Casting & Box Office Predictions: AI-driven analytics helped producers select the right actors based on audience preferences and market trends, improving ticket sales and viewership numbers.
How AI Disrupted the Nigerian Music Industry in 2023
- Afrobeats continued its global domination in 2023, with AI-driven innovations helping Nigerian artists streamline music production, marketing, and revenue generation. Key advancements included:
- AI-Generated Beats & Songwriting: Producers adopted AI tools like AIVA and Amper Music to generate unique beats, assist with lyrics, and refine sound quality. This reduced production time while keeping originality intact.
- Automated Music Marketing & Playlisting: AI-powered recommendation engines on Spotify, Apple Music, and Boomplay ensured Nigerian songs reached the right global audience, boosting streams and revenue.
- AI in Copyright Protection: With AI-powered music recognition software, Nigerian artists had better control over their intellectual property, reducing piracy and ensuring fair monetization of their work.
Challenges That Emerged in 2023
Despite AI’s benefits, its adoption also sparked debate and ethical concerns:
- Job Displacement vs. Augmentation: While AI automated many tasks, it raised concerns about the future of scriptwriters, producers, and music composers. However, industry leaders emphasized that AI should enhance, not replace, human creativity.
- Deepfakes & AI-Generated Content: The rise of AI voice cloning and deepfake videos led to concerns about misinformation and content authenticity, prompting calls for stronger regulatory frameworks
Looking Ahead: The Future of AI in Nigerian Entertainment
As we move beyond 2023, AI is no longer a novelty, it is a necessity for survival in a rapidly evolving entertainment landscape. Nigerian filmmakers and artists who embraced AI have expanded their global influence, while those resistant to change have struggled to keep up.
The future of Nollywood and Afrobeats is digital, and AI is the engine driving its expansion. The industry must continue to adapt, innovate, and integrate AI-driven solutions to maintain Nigeria’s dominance in the global entertainment space.
2023 was the year of AI in Nigerian entertainment. The years ahead will define how well we harness its full potential.
