Echotitbits – Nigeria News

Category: Nollywood

  • Nollywood throwback season: the 2016 hits turning 10 this year

    Nollywood throwback season: the 2016 hits turning 10 this year

    As compiled by Pulse Nigeria, several standout Nollywood titles released in 2016 are officially hitting the 10-year mark in 2026, including crowd favorites that helped define the modern box-office era.

    The list doubles as a reminder of how fast the industry’s production scale, marketing, and cinema culture evolved in a single decade.

    Anniversary cycles also drive streaming rewatch campaigns, cast nostalgia posts, and renewed soundtrack interest.

    Two additional public references echoed the same development:

    Pulse Nigeria (List feature): “turning 10 in 2026” (link)

    Pulse Nigeria (Editorial framing): “still worth watching today” (link)

    Nostalgia is content. Expect cast members and distributors to revive clips, interviews, and ‘where are they now’ angles—and for streamers to promote these titles quietly. Watch for any official re-release/remaster announcements or special cinema screenings.

    Source: Pulse Nigeria — 06 January 2026 — https://www.pulse.ng/story/iconic-nollywood-movies-turning-10-in-2026-2026010612584999605

    Source: Pulse Nigeria 2026-01-06
    Photo Credit: Pulse Nigeria

  • Funke Akindele’s latest cinema run crosses ₦1.7bn as box-office streak continues

    Funke Akindele’s latest cinema run crosses ₦1.7bn as box-office streak continues

    Figures cited by Pulse Nigeria indicate that Funke Akindele’s current theatrical release has pushed past the ₦1.7 billion mark in domestic box-office receipts, reinforcing her status as Nollywood’s most bankable commercial director-star right now.

    The update credits momentum from sustained cinema attendance, strong word-of-mouth, and repeat viewings—signals that the title is behaving like a long runner, not a weekend spike.

    Industry chatter is already shifting to what the final gross could look like if screens hold through the next programming cycle, especially with competing releases lining up.

    Two additional public references echoed the same development:

    FilmOne (Instagram): “₦1,767,305,878 and counting.” (link)

    Nollywood Times (News outlet): “₦1.77 billion” (link)

    This is bigger than one film—it’s a market signal. When a Nollywood title sustains receipts at this level, exhibitors allocate more screens, brands chase tie-ins, and investors take local theatrical more seriously. Watch for distributor updates, screen-count changes, and whether the run triggers copycat big-budget release timing.

    Source: Punch — 06 January 2026 — https://punchng.com/funke-akindele-new-movie-crosses-%E2%82%A61bn-sets-box-office-records/

    Source: Punch 2026-01-06
    Photo Credit: Punch

  • Funke Akindele Robbery Detail Emerges via Bimbo Thomas

    Funke Akindele Robbery Detail Emerges via Bimbo Thomas

    In a recent interview shared by The Punch, Nollywood actress Bimbo Thomas recounted a terrifying incident where she and Funke Akindele were attacked by armed robbers during the filming of ‘Omo Ghetto.’ The story highlights the security risks faced by Nigerian film crews on location.

    Thomas described how the gunmen stormed the set, threatening the cast and crew. She praised Akindele’s bravery during the ordeal, noting that the ‘A Tribe Called Judah’ star tried to protect her team despite the life-threatening situation.

    The incident happened during a night shoot in a volatile area of Lagos. Since the story went viral, many industry veterans have come forward with similar tales, calling for the establishment of a dedicated security task force for movie sets.

    Vanguard Nigeria corroborated the account, reporting: ‘Bimbo Thomas recounts how armed robbers attacked her and Funke Akindele, revealing the trauma they faced.’ The Nation Nigeria also covered the interview, quoting Thomas: ‘Funke was a lioness that day, standing up for all of us.’

    Echotitbits take: Nollywood’s growth has outpaced its infrastructure. Funke Akindele is the industry’s biggest star, and the fact that she was exposed to such danger is a wake-up call for better production safety.

    Source: The Punch — https://punchng.com/armed-robbers-attacked-funke-akindele-during-omo-ghetto-filming-actress-bimbo-thomas/#google_vignette January 5, 2026
    Photo Credit: The Punch

  • Timini Egbuson and Dakore Mourn the Passing of Their Father

    Timini Egbuson and Dakore Mourn the Passing of Their Father

    A post shared by @timini on Instagram has confirmed the heartbreaking passing of the father of Nollywood stars Timini and Dakore Egbuson. The award-winning actor shared a somber message expressing his devastation, noting that there was ‘so much left unsaid’ before his father’s sudden departure in the early hours of the New Year.

    The Egbuson family, prominent figures in the Nigerian film industry, have received an outpouring of condolences from fellow actors, directors, and fans. Dakore Egbuson-Akande, Timini’s elder sister, has also stepped back from the spotlight to grieve with her family, marking a quiet and reflective start to 2026 for the celebrity siblings.

    Industry colleagues have flooded the comments sections of their social media pages with tributes, describing the late patriarch as a pillar of support for his children’s illustrious careers. Burial arrangements are expected to be announced by the family in the coming days as they request privacy during their period of mourning.

    According to Legit NG, the loss has deeply affected the industry, reporting: ‘Actor Timini is heartbroken as he loses his dad just hours into the New Year, leaving many fans in shock.’ Additionally, P.M. News corroborated the report, stating: ‘Nollywood stars Timini and Dakore Egbuson are currently in mourning following the death of their father, a loss that has resonated throughout the entertainment circle.’

    Echotitbits take: The Egbuson siblings are central to the Nollywood ecosystem, and this personal loss will likely lead to a temporary hiatus in their filming schedules. It is a reminder of the human side of celebrity life, often hidden behind the glamour of the screen.

    Source: The Punch — https://www.google.com/amp/s/punchng.com/nollywood-stars-timini-dakore-egbuson-lose-father/%3famp January 5, 2026
    Photo Credit: The Punch

  • Peggy Ovire Deletes Frederick Leonard’s Name from Bio Amid Divorce Rumors

    Peggy Ovire Deletes Frederick Leonard’s Name from Bio Amid Divorce Rumors

    In an update published by Daily Post Nigeria, the Nollywood ‘power couple’ Peggy Ovire and Frederick Leonard are facing intense scrutiny after Peggy removed her husband’s name from her Instagram biography. The move, often considered the ‘digital death knell’ for modern marriages, has sent shockwaves through the Nollywood fan community.

    The couple, who wed in a lavish ceremony in late 2022, have been a favorite among fans for their seemingly perfect ‘movie-like’ romance. However, eagle-eyed followers noted that not only has the name been deleted, but recent solo vacations and a lack of anniversary posts have further fueled speculation that the union is in crisis.

    Validating reports from Gistlover and Pulse Nigeria confirm the digital shift. Pulse noted that ‘fans are worried as the Leonard name disappears,’ while Gistlover claimed that ‘insiders suggest a major disagreement led to the sudden change.’

    Echotitbits take: In the Nigerian celebrity ecosystem, the ‘Bio Wipe’ is rarely an accident. Peggy Ovire is a savvy social media user, and she knows exactly what message this sends to the public. Unless a ‘damage control’ video appears in the next 48 hours, this could be the end of one of Nollywood’s most beloved romantic pairings.
    Source: Daily Post Nigeria – https://dailypost.ng/2026/01/02/peggy-ovire-deletes-frederick-leonards-name-from-her-bio-amid-divorce-rumours/#:~:text=Popular%20Nollywood%20actress%2C%20Peggy%20Ovire,page%2C%20has%20now%20been%20deleted. January 4, 2026
    Photo Credit: Daily Post Nigeria

  • Funke Akindele Shatters Box Office History as ‘Behind The Scenes’ Crosses ₦1.1 Billion

    Funke Akindele Shatters Box Office History as ‘Behind The Scenes’ Crosses ₦1.1 Billion

    According to a historical milestone report by BellaNaija, Nollywood powerhouse Funke Akindele has officially cemented her status as the industry’s most bankable director after her latest film, Behind The Scenes, surpassed the ₦1.1 billion mark in just 17 days. This achievement makes it the fastest film in West African history to reach the billion-naira milestone, breaking records previously set by her own blockbuster hits.

    The film’s distributor, FilmOne Entertainment, confirmed that the project recorded the highest single-day gross in Nigerian cinema history on Boxing Day, earning a staggering ₦129.5 million. Akindele is now the first filmmaker to deliver three consecutive ₦1.1 billion films, following the massive success of A Tribe Called Judah and Everybody Loves Jenifa.

    Validating reports from Vanguard and The Nation underscore the magnitude of this feat. Vanguard noted that the ‘Queen of the Box Office’ has ‘redefined expectations for theatrical releases,’ while The Nation quoted FilmOne’s official statement: ‘This win is for all of us as she becomes the only director to cross ₦1B+ three different times.’

    Echotitbits take: Funke Akindele has cracked the code for Nigerian cinema by blending relatable family drama with high-tier production value. Her dominance suggests that local audiences are increasingly choosing high-quality Nollywood stories over Hollywood imports during the festive season. Expect a major expansion of her ‘Jenifa’ universe or a high-stakes streaming deal as global platforms look to partner with the industry’s undisputed revenue leader.
    Source: Vanguard – vanguardngr.com/2026/01/nollywoods-biggest-box-office-movies-of-2025-why-funke-akindele-remains-the-queen/ January 4, 2026
    Photo Credit: Vanguard

  • Nollywood creators clash as Christmas film dispute triggers a new copyright storm

    Nollywood creators clash as Christmas film dispute triggers a new copyright storm

    Figures cited by Ripples Nigeria show Nollywood is in a fresh copyright dispute after filmmaker Lily Perez accused another production of copying significant elements from her Christmas film.

    The story has reignited industry debate about originality, enforcement, and how YouTube-era distribution changes the speed and scale of disputes.

    Both sides are making public claims, and audiences are now asking for clear evidence rather than vague allegations.

    • Leadership (denial statement): ““The allegations… are false and… baseless.””
    • Lily Perez (Instagram statement): ““I have documentary evidence…””

    Echotitbits take: Digital distribution amplifies disputes before courts can. Watch for formal filings, takedown actions, and side-by-side proof that can be independently assessed—otherwise it stays in the rumour-and-reaction lane.

    Source: Ripples Nigeria — Jan 3, 2026 — https://www.ripplesnigeria.com/nollywood-hit-by-copyright-storm-as-filmmakers-clash-over-christmas-movie/

    Ripples Nigeria
    Jan 3, 2026
    Photo Credit: Ripples Nigeria

  • Priscilla Ojo names her father and addresses why many didn’t recognize him publicly

    Priscilla Ojo names her father and addresses why many didn’t recognize him publicly

    In a clip recap shared by Legit.ng, Priscilla Ojo identified her father as Ade Ojo and explained why many people online claimed he was absent from her wedding.

    She said he was present but not widely recognized, suggesting the confusion came from public unfamiliarity rather than family distance.

    The conversation has fueled fresh speculation around celebrity privacy and family narratives on social media.

    • Legit.ng (interview quote): ““My dad is Ade Ojo… Everyone saw him at my wedding.””
    • Instagram post circulating excerpt: ““Everyone saw him at my wedding.””

    Echotitbits take: Celebrity family stories get rewritten fast online, especially around weddings. The key watch item is full-context footage or a longer interview to reduce clip-driven misinterpretation.

    Source: Legit.ng — Jan 3, 2026 — https://www.legit.ng/entertainment/celebrities/1690794-everyone-saw-him-wedding-priscilla-ojo-opens-relationship-real-father/

    Legit.ng
    Jan 3, 2026
    Photo Credit: Legit.ng

  • Funke Akindele’s “Behind The Scenes” storms past ₦1.1bn and rewrites Nollywood’s box-office history

    Funke Akindele’s “Behind The Scenes” storms past ₦1.1bn and rewrites Nollywood’s box-office history

    2025-12-31 16:00:00

    According to BellaNaija, Funke Akindele’s latest film Behind The Scenes has crossed ₦1.1 billion at the Nigerian box office within weeks of release, reinforcing her run of record-breaking cinema numbers.

    FilmOne Entertainment highlighted the milestone as a speed record for West Africa, pointing to a strong Boxing Day surge that helped push the film over the line.

    The milestone is also reigniting industry debate about distribution transparency, screen allocation, and how blockbuster runs are being managed across cinemas.

    • FilmOne Entertainment (X): “Fastest film in West Africa to cross ₦1B+.”
    • Punch Newspapers (Punchng.com): “Fastest film in West Africa to gross over ₦1 billion.”

    Echotitbits take: Nollywood’s ceiling keeps moving—but the next battleground is trust: transparent reporting, fair scheduling, and whether exhibitors and distributors can avoid a “rigged system” narrative as the money grows.

    Source: BellaNaija — 2025-12-30 — https://www.bellanaija.com/2025/12/funke-akindele-behind-scenes-1bn-record/

    BellaNaija
    2025-12-30
    Photo Credit: BellaNaija

  • Nollywood stars push back on “unfair cinema practices” as exhibitor debate heats up

    Nollywood stars push back on “unfair cinema practices” as exhibitor debate heats up

    2025-12-31 15:53:00

    Reporting by Punch indicates a group of Nollywood actors—including Ini Edo and Toyin Abraham—have publicly called out cinemas over practices they say disadvantage films and mislead audiences.

    The claims quickly turned into a wider creator-versus-exhibitor conversation online, with fans demanding clearer explanations from cinema chains and distributors.

    • Punch Newspapers (Punchng.com): “call out cinemas over unfair practices.”
    • BusinessDay (Businessday.ng): “allegations of unfair treatment by some cinemas.”

    Echotitbits take: As Nollywood scales, operational fairness matters as much as hype. If showtimes and reporting feel inconsistent, the ecosystem risks rewarding only the biggest names—so watch for exhibitor responses and any distributor-led reforms in 2026.

    Source: The Punch — 2025-12-27 — https://punchng.com/ini-edo-toyin-abraham-others-call-out-cinemas-over-unfair-practices/

    The Punch
    2025-12-27
    Photo Credit: The Punch