The Nigerian entertainment scene is rapidly growing thanks to the now widespread availability of the internet. It’s a fertile landscape for established brands that are looking to expand, and the WWE could soon make its mark in the country.
There are already a couple of Nigerian stars in the WWE, who have helped to foster interest in the competition here. The recent partnership between the WWE and Netflix could be the extra ingredient needed to help it expand in Nigeria.
Netflix Seeking to Expand WWE in Lucrative Markets
Netflix’s move to partner with the WWE in a deal worth more than $500 million per year was a monumental decision, but one that could prove to be highly lucrative for the streaming service. With that much capital invested, Netflix needs it to be a success, which means getting the competition into as many regions as possible.
Nigeria is one of the world’s biggest emerging markets, and is seen as a key stepping stone towards gaining a greater foothold across Africa. There are already approximately 169,000 Netflix subscribers in Nigeria, but that’s only a tiny fraction of the sprawling population of more than 232 million people. By offering high-quality live action from the WWE, the streaming platform could attract a much greater number of subscribers.
The WWE franchise has spanned beyond Netflix and into games, and this could help inspire more Nigerians to sign up to Netflix to watch the events. The WWE games from 2K are popular among players here, as are jackpot casino games like WWE Clash of the Wilds.
WWE Already Has Some Nigerian Stars
Aside from the various ways Nigerians can first discover WWE and develop an interest in it, there are also some stars from the country that viewers can relate to. This is another huge factor that could encourage more people to sign up to Netflix to watch the popular form of wrestling entertainment.
One of the best-known stars to give Nigerians some representation in the WWE is Apollo Crews, who took on the persona of a Nigerian prince. There’s also the enormous Tolulope Omogbehin, who goes by the name of Omos in the ring. He’s been in the WWE since 2019, and has helped attract a lot of Nigerian viewers already.
Could There One Day Be a WWE Live Event in Nigeria?
Live events are what has made the WWE what it is today, and are the reason why it’s so popular across the USA. Now, events in other nations are going to be crucial to the brand’s continued success and expansion in other regions.
With Nigeria being one of the leading African nations, it could be the perfect location for a future live event for West Africans to attend. This would also boost its status in the region and help more people become fans.
The WWE has already attracted some interest in Nigeria, but the new Netflix partnership is set to take it to the next level. The next few years could be huge for the WWE’s growth in this region, and will hopefully lead to a live event at some point in the future.
