Tag: Nigerian pop culture

  • 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

  • DJ Cuppy steps back from socials, says she’s entering a focused new season

    DJ Cuppy steps back from socials, says she’s entering a focused new season

    Reporting by Punch indicates DJ Cuppy announced she’s taking a break from social media, framing it as a personal reset and a period for reflection and discipline.

    The move instantly became a conversation starter because she typically documents her life and projects online—so silence reads like a deliberate strategy, not just downtime.

    Multiple outlets picked it up quickly, suggesting her audience sees this as a meaningful pivot rather than routine log-off talk.

    Two additional public references echoed the same development:

    The Nation (News outlet): “announces a break from social media.” (link)

    YabaLeftOnline (Entertainment blog): “taking a break” (link)

    For celebrities with brand deals, a break can be reputational risk—or a reset that improves long-term engagement. Watch whether she returns with a project rollout (music, philanthropy, or a major update) and whether her team keeps promotions running through official channels while she stays offline.

    Source: Punch Nigeria — 05 January 2026 — https://punchng.com/time-with-god-dj-cuppy-announces-break-from-social-media/

    Source: Punch Nigeria 2026-01-05
    Photo Credit: Punch

  • Davido reportedly surprises Chioma’s mum with an early birthday celebration

    Davido reportedly surprises Chioma’s mum with an early birthday celebration

    In a post shared by LindaIkejisBlog , Davido was described as hosting an early birthday moment for his mother-in-law, with clips and captions pushing the story into the day’s relationship-and-family chatter.

    The coverage centers on a short video moment and celebratory framing, not an official press statement—so the most reliable confirmation comes from consistent footage across multiple pages.

    As the clip spread, it picked up the usual soft-power value: celebrity family optics, goodwill, and fan conversation.

    Two additional public references echoed the same development:

    Notjustok (Facebook page/video): “Davido surprised his mother in-law…” (link)

    The Nation (Threads): “surprises mother in law with early birthday celebration.” (link)

    Celebrity family moments travel fast because they humanize stars and reset public mood after any controversy cycle. This is repost-driven (not an official statement), so credibility rests on whether the footage is current—watch for date cues and any corroboration from verified Davido/Chioma circles.

    Source: LindaIkejisBlog — 06 January 2026 — https://www.lindaikejisblog.com/2026/1/davido-shares-lovely-video-from-his-family-vacation-at-the-canouan-island.html

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

  • 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

  • Premium Times lists Nigerian celebrities who died in 2025 as tributes resurface online

    Premium Times lists Nigerian celebrities who died in 2025 as tributes resurface online

    2025-12-31 15:25:00

    Figures cited by Premium Times show a year-end list of Nigerian public figures—actors, influencers, and media veterans—who died in 2025, alongside brief context on careers and public reaction.

    The list includes tributes and references to how news of each passing was confirmed, often via posts from colleagues or family.

    • Guardian Life (Guardian.ng): “May his soul rest in peace… It’s a WRAP.”
    • Guardian Life (Guardian.ng): “Rest in peace, sis… Death why?”

    Echotitbits take: Year-end loss lists hit hard, but they also spotlight gaps in welfare, insurance culture, and health support in Nigeria’s entertainment economy. Watch for renewed calls for stronger guild-led assistance funds in 2026.

    Source: Premium Times — 2025-12-31 — https://www.premiumtimesng.com/entertainment/naija-fashion/846784-allwell-ademola-sanku-monalisa-stephen-27-other-nigerian-celebrities-who-died-in-2025.html

    Premium Times
    2025-12-31
    Photo Credit: Premium Times

  • NFVCB Defends Ini Edo Film Title After Backlash, Floats Compromise

    NFVCB Defends Ini Edo Film Title After Backlash, Floats Compromise

    Photo Credit: The Punch

    2025-12-24 08:00:00

    According to Punch, the National Film and Video Censors Board (NFVCB) says Ini Edo’s movie title “A Very Dirty Christmas” was cleared after review and was not intended as an attack on Christianity, following public backlash from Christian groups.

    The board’s explanation is that the phrase should be interpreted within the story’s theme rather than as a statement about Christmas itself, while also suggesting a possible compromise to reduce tension.

    • Premium Times (website): “The title Dirty Christmas is not an insult to the Body of Christ.”
    • Christian Association of Nigeria — Facebook (verified org page): “CAN … is deeply troubled by the title …”

    Echotitbits take: This is a familiar flashpoint in Nollywood: artistic choices meeting faith sensitivities at peak holiday season. Watch whether a title adjustment happens, whether cinemas face organized pressure, and whether the controversy ends up boosting attention and ticket demand.

    Source: The Punch — Dec 24, 2025 — https://punchng.com/nfvcb-defends-a-very-dirty-christmas-title-seeks-change-after-backlash/

    The Punch
    2025-12-24

  • “Oversabi Aunty” hits cinemas—Toyin Abraham drops showtimes and rallying call

    “Oversabi Aunty” hits cinemas—Toyin Abraham drops showtimes and rallying call

    Photo Credit: Instagram

    2025-12-19 11:00:00
    In a post shared on Instagram, the actress/filmmaker rolled out showtimes for Oversabi Aunty as it begins nationwide cinema runs, urging fans to pick a location and turn up.

    The rollout has been echoed by cinema and distributor-linked pages, signaling a coordinated push for holiday footfall when competition for attention is at its peak.

    – Filmhouse Cinemas (Instagram / cinema chain): “Oversabi Aunty… SHOWTIMES…”
    – YouTube (Official trailer page): “IN CINEMAS 19TH DECEMBER”

    Analysis/Echotitbits take: December box office in Nigeria is ruthless: films compete with concerts, travel, weddings, and nightlife. Watch whether Oversabi Aunty sustains weekday turnout after opening buzz—and how fast word-of-mouth clips dominate TikTok and Reels.

    Source: Instagram — 19 Dec 2025 —https://www.instagram.com/p/DSMFfb3CBWb/

    2025-12-19