In a report by TVC News, Nollywood powerhouse Funke Akindele has reached a staggering milestone as her new film, Behind The Scenes, officially becomes the highest-grossing Nigerian movie of 2025. The production has reportedly earned over ₦512 million within its first week of release, signaling a dominant start for the industry this year.
The film’s distributor, FilmOne Entertainment, confirmed the achievement via social media, noting that the project shattered five separate opening-weekend records. This rapid financial success places Akindele ahead of her previous benchmarks, further solidifying her reputation as the “Queen of the Box Office.”
Industry analysts point out that the movie’s pace is unprecedented, reaching the half-billion naira mark faster than any other local title this year. Fans and critics alike have flooded social platforms to celebrate the filmmaker’s ability to consistently draw massive crowds to cinemas.
* Legit NG reports: “Funke Akindele’s Behind The Scenes crosses ₦2.4bn, topping box office charts.”
* FilmOne Entertainment stated on Instagram: “Fastest Nollywood movie to hit ₦500M… This is what belief looks like.”
Echotitbits take: Funke Akindele continues to prove that she has cracked the code for Nigerian cinema-goers. This record-breaking run suggests that despite economic shifts, high-quality indigenous storytelling with aggressive marketing still commands massive purchasing power. Watch for this film to potentially challenge the ₦1 billion mark before the end of its theatrical run.
Source: TVC News — https://www.tvcnews.tv/funke-akindeles-behind-the-scenes-becomes-highest-grossing-nollywood-film-of-2025/ February 14, 2026
Photo Credit: Daily Post
Tag: Nigerian movies
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Funke Akindele Shatters Box Office Records with Latest Nollywood Hit
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Omotola Jalade Ekeinde Finally Shuts Down Decades-Old Rivalry with Genevieve Nnaji
In a post shared by @realomosexy on Instagram, Nollywood icon Omotola Jalade Ekeinde has addressed the legendary “rivalry” between her and Genevieve Nnaji. Speaking candidly, Omotola dismissed the feud as a creation of the media and overzealous fans, insisting that there has never been any real conflict between the two “Queens of Nollywood.”
She emphasized that while they were competitive in their crafts, they always held mutual respect for one another. This statement comes as a response to recent social media debates comparing their career trajectories and “legacy” status in the evolving Nigerian film industry.
Punch Newspapers reported on the clarification, quoting Omotola: “The rivalry was created by people who wanted to see us fight, but we were busy building our empires.” Vanguard News also covered the story, highlighting a quote where she noted, “I won’t dance to promote a movie if it feels forced,” further asserting her mature approach to industry trends.
Echotitbits take: This is a masterclass in legacy management. By addressing this now, Omotola is effectively “retiring” a narrative that has followed her for 20 years. It positions her as a stateswoman of the industry, likely clearing the way for her upcoming projects where she seeks to be seen as a mentor rather than a competitor.
Source: The Nation — https://thenationonlineng.net/omotola-clarifies-alleged-feud-with-genevieve-nnaji/ February 5, 2026
Photo Credit: The Nation
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Kunle Afolayan and Funke Akindele Clash Over Movie Marketing “Dancing” Tactics
A post shared by Legit.ng details a burgeoning friction between Nollywood heavyweights Kunle Afolayan and Funke Akindele regarding their promotional styles. The drama began when Afolayan remarked in a video that he is not interested in “chasing Box Office records” or performing TikTok dances to sell his films, a comment many perceived as a direct shade toward Akindele.
Akindele, known for her high-energy social media campaigns and “dancing” marketing strategies that have led to record-breaking box office hits like A Tribe Called Judah, reportedly fired back online. The exchange has divided fans, with some defending Afolayan’s “pure art” approach and others hailing Akindele as a marketing genius who understands the modern audience.
Afolayan later clarified his comments, stating that while he respects her success, his personal brand focuses on a different cinematic experience. However, the tension remains palpable, as Akindele allegedly called the director to express her displeasure over what she felt was an elitist dismissal of her hard work.
This controversy highlights a growing philosophical rift in Nollywood between the “Old School” auteur directors and the “New Wave” commercial juggernauts. While both have contributed significantly to the industry’s growth, their public disagreement has become the talk of the Nigerian film community.
* Punch Newspapers (Official Website): “Funke Akindele slams critics over ‘dancing’ marketing style… Afolayan says he’ll never dance to promote movies.”
* The Nation Nigeria (Official Website): “Funke Akindele fumes as Kunle Afolayan clarifies cinema comment… ‘Funke Akindele called to yell at me’.”
Echotitbits take:
This isn’t just a petty celebrity feud; it’s a debate on the future of African cinema. Akindele has proven that “populist” marketing sells tickets, while Afolayan maintains the prestige of the “festival” film. The friction is natural as Nollywood matures, but both need to be careful—alienating each other’s fanbases helps no one in an industry still fighting for global shelf space.
Source: The Punch — https://punchng.com/funke-akindele-kunle-afolayan-faceoff-over-film-promotion-tactics/ February 1, 2026
Photo Credits: The Punch
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Ini Edo calls herself “overambitious” as ‘A Very Dirty December’ promo conversations heat up
According to NaijaNews, Ini Edo admitted she was “overambitious” about the rollout and expectations around A Very Dirty December, a project that’s been pulling attention in Nollywood circles. Her tone reads like a mix of honesty and recalibration—acknowledging the pressure of audience expectations while still keeping the project positioned as a big moment.
Echotitbits take: When a star publicly resets expectations, it usually means the audience feedback is loud. The next thing to watch is whether the marketing shifts (new teasers, cast push, influencer campaigns) to control the narrative before release momentum dips.
Source: Ripples – https://www.ripplesnigeria.com/ini-edo-admits-overambition-as-she-praises-funke-akindele-toyin-abrahams-dominance/ January 28, 2026
Photo Credit: Ripples -
Funke Akindele Shatters Box Office Records with Latest Nollywood Epic
Funke Akindele is being credited with another record-breaking opening weekend for her latest Nigerian film, with packed cinemas across the country reinforcing her status as Nollywood’s most bankable contemporary filmmaker.
Analysts continue to cite her marketing precision as a core advantage, combining a strong social following with mass-appeal storytelling and cross-demographic casting.
Market watchers expect the performance to trigger renewed competition for international streaming rights, as global platforms seek reliable Nigerian box office IP with proven demand.
Echotitbits take: Akindele is a business blueprint. She understands audience psychology and distribution economics better than most. Her consistency is a strong signal to investors that Nigerian cinema can be high-yield when the product-market fit is disciplined.
Source: NigeriaInfo – https://www.nigeriainfo.fm/news/homepagelagos/funke-akindele-breaks-african-box-office-records/ 2026-01-26
Photo Credit: Punch -
Toyin Abraham’s “Oversabi Aunty” Nears N1 Billion Mark
BusinessDay reports that Toyin Abraham’s comedy‑drama *Oversabi Aunty* took second place at the Nigerian box office over the weekend, adding ₦53.3 million and bringing total gross to about ₦951.1 million—placing it within striking distance of the “Billion Naira Club.”
The Nation is cited as highlighting producer rankings, while Naija News is cited as pointing to strong admissions and a sustained marketing push.
**Echotitbits take:** The box‑office “World Cup” between Toyin Abraham and Funke Akindele continues. Akindele leads the season’s headline numbers, but Abraham’s consistency near the billion‑naira threshold confirms the audience appetite can sustain multiple megastars.
Source: Facebook – https://web.facebook.com/olorisupergalmedia/posts/toyin-abraham-hits-new-milestone-with-oversabi-auntytoyin-abraham-ajeyemis-lates/122274181874197731/?_rdc=1&_rdr# (January 23, 2026)
Photo Credit: Facebook 2026-01-23
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Funke Akindele Breaks Record with New Movie Premiere
According to @funkejenifaakindele on Instagram, her latest cinematic release has broken opening weekend records for a Nollywood film. The actress and producer shared photos from the premiere and thanked fans for their support.
Akindele—often positioned as one of Nollywood’s most bankable hitmakers—has repeatedly delivered high-grossing theatrical titles that connect strongly with mainstream Nigerian audiences. Her new project reportedly blends social themes with her signature comedic sensibility, a formula that has historically traveled well in local cinemas.
The Nation described the performance as another proof-point of her commercial consistency. Premium Times also pointed to the broader significance for Nigerian theatrical releases and investor confidence.
Echotitbits take
Akindele’s box office track record is not accidental; it is audience science. Sustained success at this level helps normalize private investment into Nollywood production and distribution—especially for cinema-first releases.
Source: @funkejenifaakindele on Instagram — https://www.instagram.com/p/DTvG3AIATMb/ (January 22, 2026)
Photo credit: Instagram
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‘Oversabi Aunty’ storms into the ₦700m club, reshaping Nollywood’s early-year leaderboard
According to Pulse Nigeria, Toyin Abraham’s Oversabi Aunty has surged to about ₦711.5 million in box-office revenue, tightening competition at the very top of Nollywood’s current cinema cycle.
The headline number matters because it’s not just a good opening—it suggests durable audience pull across multiple weeks, which is where real box-office power shows up.
For cinemas and distributors, this kind of run influences screen allocation, showtime priority, and the bargaining dynamics for the next wave of major titles.
Two additional public references echoed the same development:
The Guardian (Nigeria):
“hits ₦711.5m”
(link)Pulse Nigeria (secondary report):
“₦711.5m”
(link)When two titles are simultaneously putting up monster numbers, the industry gets a rare blockbuster corridor that can lift the whole ecosystem—cinemas, marketing agencies, soundtrack licensing, and streaming negotiations later. Watch weekend-to-weekday drop-off, fresh distributor tallies, and whether other studios adjust release dates to ride the wave.
Source: Pulse Nigeria — 06 January 2026 — https://www.pulse.ng/story/toyin-abraham-oversabi-aunty-fourth-highest-grossing-nollywood-movie-2026010612060246258
Source: Pulse Nigeria 2026-01-06
Photo Credit: Pulse Nigeria -
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 -
Nkechi Blessing hints she’s stepping back from film production over “losses”
Photo Credit: The Nation
2025-12-28 07:25:00A report by The Nation says actress Nkechi Blessing has suggested she may stop film production, citing financial losses and frustration with the business side of making movies.
The comments have fueled online debate about whether Nollywood economics are pushing more talent toward influencing, brand deals, and direct-to-audience formats.
Also noted by Kemi Filani (Website): “Nkechi Blessing hints on abandoning movie production due to losses.” (https://www.kemifilani.ng/)
Separately, The Nation (Website) reported: “…might stop film production due to losses…” (https://thenationonlineng.net/)
Echotitbits take: If producers can’t recoup transparently, the industry risks a talent drain into faster-paying lanes. Watch for whether she shares specifics (distribution, marketing costs, piracy, or platform terms); that detail is what turns a viral quote into an industry conversation.
Source: The Nation — December 27, 2025 — https://thenationonlineng.net/nkechi-blessing-hints-at-abandoning-movie-production/
The Nation December 27, 2025