Veteran Nigerian filmmaker Tunde Kelani has criticised the unauthorised creation and circulation of short clips from his movies on social media, describing the trend as piracy and an abuse of intellectual property.
Kelani, also known as TK, expressed his frustration Wednesday via Facebook, accusing bloggers and users of extracting scenes from his films including Saworoide, Agogo Eewo, Ti Oluwa Nile, and Thunderbolt: Magun and reposting them online without permission.
“This is WRONG! Cutting our films… into unauthorised reels and posting them online is not promotion. It is piracy and the destruction of our cultural work,” he wrote, stressing that films are complete creative works and should not be reduced to fragments for quick engagement or profit.
“A film is a complete story, not fragments for quick views to make quick money illegally. This is stealing openly,” he added, urging digital creators to respect copyright laws and support filmmakers through legitimate channels.
He further appealed: “Please stop this practice and wickedness! Support creators by watching and sharing films through the proper channels. Let us protect, not diminish, our heritage. Stop this criminality.”
His comments come amid rising concern within Nigeria’s creative industry over the reposting of movie scenes across platforms such as X, Instagram, and TikTok without rights holders’ approval.
Widely regarded as one of the country’s most celebrated directors, Kelani is known for culturally significant productions and literary adaptations, with notable titles including Koseegbe, Oleku, The Narrow Path, White Handkerchief, Maami, and Dazzling Mirage.
ELIJAH ADEYEMI
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