Who would’ve thought a Telegram movie channel could bring in millions? This Nigerian entrepreneur breaks down how he built a thriving business from scratch.
In today’s world of side hustles and tech-fueled success, one man found a way to turn his love for movies into a full-fledged money machine. Despite an initial path into traditional banking and finance, Bukayo* took a wild left turn and started building massive movie communities on Telegram.
Now? He’s raking in millions, working with brands like Coca-Cola and Malta Guinness. In this Q&A, he spills the tea on how a random passion turned into a major business, and how you can do it too.
*For the sake of anonymity, names have been changed in this article.
**Our interviewee claims he’s the biggest Arsenal fan ever. Yes, you guessed right, that’s why the name used in this article is Bukayo Saka.
You studied banking and finance – quite a formal and traditional field. That seems far removed from running movie communities. How did that change happen?
Bukayo: I had a graduate trainee job at one of the top banks in the country, and after a while, I had to ask myself if it was really where I wanted to be. I mean, I had the degree, and was on track to take professional exams (CIBN), but it just didn’t feel like I was on the best place. Can’t remember exactly when I made the shift, but first it was one weekend realising I just could not do it anymore, because my heart wasn’t in it. I don’t advice anyone to do this (quitting) without a plan, and I certainly had my reasons and a suitable backup (quite some funds saved) so it was easier. It gave me the chance to figure out myself; what would really make me happy.
I think that’s a story many people can relate with. And how did your search for the unicorn go?
Bukayo: Well, I’d like to say it was smooth but that would be a lie LOL. But then, a friend of mine introduced me to the world of Data Annotation, and for the next couple of months I spent time learning everything about the field; you know, getting familiar with the necessary tools (Labelbox, Annotate). It wasn’t easy but by and large I got a few jobs on Upwork and the rest is history.
Interesting, but where did the online movie community come in?
Bukayo: The beautiful thing about freelance is that it gives you the opportunity to do a lot of stuff, so I had free time to explore interests. Now, I’ve always loved community building, even before I got into university. Back in secondary school, I started a physical community—a book reading and poetry club where we’d gather for amateur book launches and even do some spoken word. It was tough leaving that behind because I had to change my location when my folks moved.
With my new-found freedom proudly sponsored by data annotation, it felt like something was missing. I have a wide range of hobbies, but where I found the most joy was movies. I got my second chance online when I started talking about movies. Telegram just happened to be the right space.
Why movies? And why Telegram? Of all the interests and platforms to exist. Why these two?
Bukayo: There’s a massive gap in how movie lovers connect online, especially in Nigeria. I first started sharing movie recommendations on Twitter—just talking about movies I’d seen, old classics, hidden gems, and everything in between. It was just a hobby, but I attracted a big following— Twitter has a large number of cinephiles, and I connected with them fairly easily. It was just a hobby until I noticed I had attracted a large following —about 300k followers now.
Over time, I realized that Twitter wasn’t really built for in-depth engagement, so I figured the best way was to try out a chat group. At first I tried whatsapp, but when a particular conversation involved sharing some of the movies we individually had (which we could not do because everyone was in different places). So, I moved to Telegram because its features were better suited for community needs. We could easily share movies and have richer conversations.
Running a community like that sounds like hard work. How do you keep people engaged?
Bukayo: It’s really about providing value: give people what they want. I remember someone in the group asking for an old horror movie Nosferatu: A Symphony of Horror from 1922. They couldn’t find it anywhere. Luckily, I had it and shared it. That’s the kind of value people remember. The trick is engagement—reply to comments, acknowledge people’s contributions, and they’ll keep coming back. People don’t forget when you make them feel seen. That sense of community is key.
That makes you sound like the Community Superman. But have you had any challenges with managing so many people?
Bukayo: Hahaha for sure. Managing so many people isn’t a walk in the park. You can’t please everyone, and sometimes there’s frustration. But I’ve set community rules, and surprisingly, the positive thing is that members often help calm any drama because they know I’m reliable. They vouch for me.
Let’s talk money. How do you make income from these communities?
Bukayo: Of course, lol, after all, owo ni koko. Funny enough, making money wasn’t my priority at first. But having a large organic following opens doors. Brands started reaching out for promotions. I’ve worked with Coca-Cola, Malta Guinness, EventsTrolley, and some smaller brands. I also promote music, reviewing tracks and integrating them into my content. Another income stream is selling established Telegram channels. I even consult for businesses on community growth.
In numbers, what’s that like? How much do Telegram channels sell for?
Bukayo: Here’s where it gets tricky. It depends. A channel with 20k subs can sell for around ₦250k, while a more active 40k sub channel I sold went for $500 to a foreign buyer.
Currently I have several Telegram channels, in English, and they each earn me about $200 monthly passive income. The difference in price comes from the level of engagement and sometimes who’s buying.
Wow. How much would you say you’ve made from this whole venture?
Bukayo: I’d say it’s in the millions. I’ve made well over ₦12 million in 3 years from building and selling Telegram channels, brand promotions, and consulting work in this line of business. It’s been really profitable.
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That’s a really good number. What value do you offer brands that work with you?
Bukayo: The key selling point is that all my followers are organic. That’s something brands love. Organic growth always yields better results—people trust and engage more. I provide a complete package: an organic audience, quality content, and real engagement. That’s also what lets me command my own rates, by the way.
Selling Telegram channels is definitely a unique venture, and not one many people will think of. Can you explain how it works?
Bukayo: It’s all about how organic your following is. A Telegram channel with real, engaged people is worth more than one that’s artificially grown. For example, a channel with 50k organic subscribers can be worth a lot of money—especially if the engagement is high.
Buyers want assurance that they’re getting real people, not bots. That’s where the value lies. I’ve seen channels sell for anywhere between ₦200k to close to a million, depending on the size and activity.
For anyone looking to start their own community or monetize a Telegram channel, what advice would you give?
Bukayo: Focus on providing value first. When people see that you’re offering something they can’t get elsewhere, they’ll stick around. Also, keep it organic. Don’t rush to inflate your numbers with fake followers. Quality engagement is what brands and people value. And lastly, be patient. It took time for me to get where I am, but it was worth it.
The Scrappy Tool He Used to Build a ₦10 Million Empire
You’d think building a million-naira business would require some sophisticated tools, but the truth? Bukayo started with nothing more than a handful of basic Telegram bots. These low-cost, easily accessible tools allowed him to automate community management, track engagement, and even help with moderation, setting the foundation for his empire. For those interested in starting out, here are some essential bots to consider:
- Graphy Bot: With Graphy Bot, you can effortlessly handle subscriptions for your channel or group. It takes the headache out of tracking payments and managing member access.
- BotFather: helps you set up, manage, and customize your very own Telegram bots without needing to be a coding whiz.
- Combot: Keeping scammers at bay is crucial. With its features, you can easily filter out unwanted guests and keep your community focused.
- Group Butler: Group Butler automates various tasks for admins, making it easier to manage your channel or group.
- Vote Bot: Vote Bot makes it simple to conduct polls and surveys. Get instant feedback from your members and keep the conversation going with ease.
- Dr.Web Bot: Dr.Web Bot scans files shared in your channels for viruses, ensuring your community stays safe from harmful content.
With these tools, you don’t need a lot of money to get started—just creativity and consistency.
Some of the Underground Tactics That Built His Cult-Like Following on Telegram
Growing a massive Telegram following is no easy feat. The secret sauce to his success? He tapped into niche audiences that were underserved in mainstream communities and provided a space they could call home. From sharing exclusive content and behind-the-scenes movie gossip to organizing community-driven discussions, his methods kept people coming back for more. Want to replicate his success? It’s all about knowing your audience and delivering the kind of experience they crave.
Other Opportunities to Explore in Telegram Monetization
If managing a movie channel isn’t your thing, don’t worry. Telegram offers endless monetization opportunities. From running paid membership communities and selling digital products to offering consulting services based on your expertise, there are multiple avenues to turn a profit. And the best part? With Telegram’s global reach and high engagement rates, the potential to scale is limitless.
And That’s a Wrap: How a Movie Buff Cashed in Millions on Telegram
We’ve covered a lot in this conversation, from the early days of community building to the multi-million business it’s become today.
For anyone looking to start their own community, the advice is simple: give people what they want, keep it real, and stay patient. And with the right tools, who knows? You might just be the next Telegram millionaire.
