Rising diesel prices hit KAP Film Village, Kunle Afolayan appeals for support

Renowned Nollywood filmmaker Kunle Afolayan has raised concerns over the sharp rise in diesel prices in Nigeria, revealing that he spends millions of naira monthly to power facilities at the KAP Film Village and Resort, despite having invested in solar energy.

The actor, director and producer disclosed this in a recent video where he expressed frustration over the increasing cost of diesel, describing the situation as unsustainable for businesses that rely heavily on independent power supply.

Afolayan explained that although the film village has solar power installations, diesel generators are still needed to keep operations running smoothly, resulting in significant expenses.

According to him, the continuous rise in diesel prices has placed immense financial pressure on the facility, forcing the management to purchase fuel on credit in order to maintain daily operations.

“It’s not sustainable because even the diesel we have been buying was on credit and when we make small money we find a way to pay. Sometimes it takes two months to pay and then get another one on credit,” he said.

The filmmaker revealed that the financial burden has been emotionally challenging, adding that he has been struggling to cope with the escalating costs of running the film production hub.

He further disclosed that upgrading the existing solar power system could help reduce reliance on diesel but would require significant funding.

“We need a loan to upgrade our solar power. So if you can come to our aid, I will really appreciate it,” Afolayan said.

Highlighting the scale of the expenditure, he noted that one of the businesses operating within the complex—referred to as Cab Village—spends as much as ₦11 million on diesel within a period of four to five weeks.

“I have been sad because I can’t cope with the N1,500 per litre of diesel. I can’t even comprehend it because in one of the businesses that we run, Cab Village, we spent about N11 million in four to five weeks,” he added.

Afolayan also pointed out that the price of diesel had recently jumped from around N995 or N1,000 per litre to over N1,500, further compounding operational costs.

The filmmaker’s remarks highlight the ongoing challenges faced by businesses across Nigeria due to rising energy costs and the country’s persistent electricity supply issues.

Many companies, particularly in the entertainment and hospitality sectors, continue to rely heavily on generators and alternative power sources to sustain their operations.