Echotitbits – Nigeria News

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  • 2Baba Crowns Burna Boy Global King of Afrobeats Above Wizkid and Davido

    2Baba Crowns Burna Boy Global King of Afrobeats Above Wizkid and Davido

    According to a report by The Nation, legendary Nigerian musician 2Baba (Innocent Idibia) has declared that Burna Boy is currently operating on a superior level compared to his counterparts, Wizkid and Davido. Speaking on the Mic On Podcast, the veteran artist emphasized that while he appreciates the talent of the entire “Big 3,” Burna Boy’s recent global influence and consistency have placed him at the pinnacle of the genre.

    The “African Queen” crooner explained that evaluating these artists is similar to comparing different painters, noting that each has a unique style. However, he admitted that if he had to choose who is “top of the game” right now, the “Last Last” singer takes the crown. He further clarified that his assessment is based on current musical impact rather than personal bias or bank balances.

    The statement has since sparked a massive debate across social media platforms like TikTok and X, where fans of the three heavyweights have been clashing over 2Baba’s verdict. This comes at a time when Afrobeats is facing a critical lens following the 2026 Grammy results, where Tyla took home the Best African Music Performance award over the Nigerian nominees.

    2Baba’s comments serve as a rare public ranking from a veteran whose opinion carries significant weight in the industry. As the “Big 3” continue to dominate, this endorsement suggests a shift in the internal hierarchy of the scene, potentially influencing how these stars are perceived by international collaborators and award bodies in the coming year.

    * Punch Newspaper (Official Website): “Burna Boy is currently on a different level right now… in terms of music influence and global reach.”

    * Daily Post Nigeria (Entertainment): “I think Burna is on a different level right now… Everyone is doing fantastically well, but Burna is at the top.”

    Echotitbits take:

    2Baba’s endorsement of Burna Boy is a massive cultural marker because it signals a “changing of the guard” in the eyes of the industry’s elder statesmen. While Wizkid and Davido have long held the joint crown, Burna Boy’s relentless global touring and genre-bending “Afro-fusion” have clearly won over the veterans. Watch for how Wizkid and Davido respond through their upcoming releases, as this “Top 1” debate usually fuels a competitive streak in their music.

    Source: The Cable — https://lifestyle.thecable.ng/2baba-gives-verdict-on-afrobeats-big-three-says-burna-boy-is-the-biggest/ February 8, 2026

    Photo Credit: The Cable

  • Tributes Pour in as Nollywood Veteran ‘Aunty Ajara’ is Laid to Rest

    Tributes Pour in as Nollywood Veteran ‘Aunty Ajara’ is Laid to Rest

    According to The Punch, the Yoruba film industry is in mourning as veteran actress Ajara Lasisi, affectionately known as “Aunty Ajara,” was laid to rest this weekend. The funeral, attended by a heavy presence of Nollywood royalty, was a somber reminder of the actress’s long-standing contribution to the screen. She passed away recently following a prolonged battle with a liver-related illness.

    The burial ceremony turned into a celebration of her life, with colleagues sharing anecdotes of her mentorship and motherly role on set. Viral videos from the event show many of her peers in tears, highlighting the deep vacuum her passing has created. The funeral has also reignited discussions about health insurance and welfare for aging veterans in the Nigerian entertainment sector.

    Nigerian Entertainment Today (TheNETng) reported: “Nollywood actress Aunty Ajara dies after a prolonged battle with illness… she was a pillar of the Yoruba film industry.” NewsNow also carried the tribute: “Tributes pour in as actress Ajara is laid to rest… Colleagues and family pay final respects to a legend.”

    Echotitbits Take:

    Aunty Ajara’s death is a sobering moment for Nollywood. While the industry celebrates its “new school” global hits, the passing of veterans like Ajara often highlights the lack of a robust pension or health system for those who built the foundation. Watch for a renewed push from the Actors Guild of Nigeria (AGN) for better health insurance schemes in the wake of this loss.

    Source: Daily Post — https://dailypost.ng/2026/02/05/late-nollywood-actress-aunty-ajara-laid-to-rest/ February 7, 2026

    Photo Credit: Daily Post

  • Funke Akindele’s “Behind The Scenes” Breaks N2 Billion Record

    Funke Akindele’s “Behind The Scenes” Breaks N2 Billion Record

    According to BusinessDay, Funke Akindele’s latest directorial effort, *Behind The Scenes (BTS)*, has become the first West African film to surpass ₦2.29 billion at the Nigerian domestic box office. The drama explores the emotional toll of “black tax” and has held the number-one spot for six consecutive weeks, reportedly outperforming major Hollywood titles in the local market.

    Additional reporting cited in the item notes wider industry momentum around box-office stars and awards chatter, with Vanguard pointing to Akindele and Timini Egbuson as among the most featured stars of the season.

    **Echotitbits take:** This is more than a financial win; it is cultural validation. By tackling “black tax”—a deeply relatable Nigerian experience—Akindele is proving that local stories, told with strong production value, can beat big-budget foreign franchises. Expect a surge in social‑realist Nollywood dramas as producers chase this formula.

    Source: Premium Times – https://www.premiumtimesng.com/entertainment/nollywood/849186-funke-akindeles-behind-the-scenes-hits-over-n2-billion-becomes-highest-grossing-nollywood-film.html (January 23, 2026)

    Photo Credit: Premium Times 2026-01-23

  • Nollywood actress Allwell Ademola laid to rest as burial videos trend

    Nollywood actress Allwell Ademola laid to rest as burial videos trend

    In an update published by Legit.ng, late Nollywood actress Allwell Ademola was laid to rest in Lagos, with videos and photos from the ceremony circulating widely and triggering emotional reactions from fans.

    Online tributes and comment-thread memorials quickly followed, showing how Nollywood mourning increasingly plays out in the digital public square.

    The moment has also sparked debates about what should be filmed during burials and the balance between documentation and privacy.

    • Punch Newspapers (Facebook Live): “LIVE: Burial Ceremony of Actress, Allwell Ademola.”
    • Instagram (Reel): “The family… announced she will be laid to rest… on January 9, 2026…”

    Echotitbits take: Public grief online can be healing, but it can also pressure families into ‘performing’ mourning. Watch for verified family statements, colleague tributes, and any legacy initiative launched in her name.

    Source: Youtube — 2026-01-09 — https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yaD-BNUZ1VM

    Source: Youtube 2026-01-09
    Photo Credit: Legit.ng

  • Allwell Ademola’s last Instagram video goes viral as fans mourn Yoruba film star

    Allwell Ademola’s last Instagram video goes viral as fans mourn Yoruba film star

    2025-12-31 15:18:00

    According to Punch, Yoruba film actress and filmmaker Allwell Ademola posted a video with a prayer-like message shortly before reports of her death, and the clip later went viral as fans flooded her comments with shock.

    The report notes the lyrics—shared as an end-of-year declaration—quickly became the emotional center of online mourning.

    • Punch Newspapers (Punchng.com): “this year will not see my end.”
    • Premium Times (Premiumtimesng.com): “died on 27 December 2025 at the age of 43.”

    Echotitbits take: Social media becomes both shrine and loudspeaker in moments like this. Watch next for the family’s preferred narrative (privacy vs public tributes) and whether colleagues push renewed health-awareness messaging across the industry.

    Source: The Punch — 2025-12-27 — https://punchng.com/video-this-year-will-not-see-my-end-actress-allwell-ademola-sings-in-last-post-before-death/

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

  • Mohbad’s Widow Denies ‘New Baby’ Claims, Calls It a Smear Campaign

    Mohbad’s Widow Denies ‘New Baby’ Claims, Calls It a Smear Campaign

    2025-12-30 11:00:00
    Reporting by TheCable Lifestyle indicates Omowunmi (Mohbad’s widow) has denied claims that she welcomed a second child with another man, describing the allegation as a smear campaign.
    Her reaction followed renewed online chatter, with multiple outlets citing her response and urging the public to disregard the claim.
    The episode shows how quickly misinformation can scale around high-profile grief stories, even without any credible evidence.

    Other outlets carrying the same denial include The Eagle Online: “This smear campaign is funny asf…” and QED.ng: “this smear campaign is funny asf…”, both citing her statement.

    Echotitbits take:
    This story is best treated as rumour-control, not speculation fuel. The denial is direct and consistent across multiple reports. Watch for whether her camp takes legal steps to deter repeat claims and whether platforms reduce amplification of defamatory content.
    Source: TheCable Lifestyle — December 29, 2025 — https://lifestyle.thecable.ng/mohbads-wife-denies-welcoming-child-with-another-man/
    TheCable Lifestyle
    2025-12-29
    Photo Credit: The Punch

  • Carter Efe and Kolu appear to reconcile after Davido’s ₦20m gift fallout

    Carter Efe and Kolu appear to reconcile after Davido’s ₦20m gift fallout

    Photo Credit: Facebook
    2025-12-28 07:20:00

    In a report by Punch Newspapers, streamer and content creator Carter Efe and his associate Kolu were seen together again, suggesting the pair has settled their public dispute linked to Davido’s promised ₦20m gift.

    The clash went viral after Kolu alleged he was blocked when he asked for his “share,” turning it into a broader debate about money, credit, and loyalty in creator circles.

    Also noted by Legit.ng (Website): “He blocked me for asking for my share of Davido’s ₦20 million gift,” Kolu said. (https://www.legit.ng/)

    Separately, Carter Efe (Instagram) reported: “…showing the duo… hanging out together…” (https://www.instagram.com/)

    Echotitbits take: This is the creator-economy problem in one sentence: collaborations often run on vibes, not contracts. Watch for whether they clarify the money story publicly; quiet reconciliation can be genuine, but it can also be a PR move to stop the backlash.

    Source: Punch Newspapers — December 28, 2025 — https://punchng.com/carter-efe-kolu-settle-feud-caused-by-davidos-n20m-gift/

    Punch Newspapers December 28, 2025

  • Funke Akindele’s “Behind The Scenes” smashes ₦200m opening weekend mark

    Funke Akindele’s “Behind The Scenes” smashes ₦200m opening weekend mark

    According to P.M. News, Funke Akindele’s latest cinema release, Behind The Scenes, crossed the ₦200 million threshold in its opening weekend, extending her run as one of Nollywood’s most bankable box-office names. 
    In the report, FilmOne Entertainment (the distributor) is credited with describing the performance as the biggest opening weekend of 2025 so far, with multiple opening-weekend benchmarks reportedly broken in the process. 
    TheNation’s coverage also reproduces a distributor caption praising Nigerian audiences for filling cinemas, framing the milestone as both a commercial win and a signal of sustained momentum for theatrical Nollywood releases in December. 
     • The Nation Newspaper (TheNationOnlineNG): “Behind The Scenes crossed ₦200M in just one weekend…” 
     • FilmOne Entertainment (Instagram, via distributor caption reproduced by The Nation): “We call her the Queen of Box Office for a reason!” 
    Analysis/Echotitbits take: This is a strong indicator that the “December cinema season” remains a major revenue window for Nollywood—if the legs hold beyond week one, expect more aggressive marketing pushes, piracy warnings, and competing studios timing their own releases to chase the same audience attention.