By Yinka Akanbi
The Nigerian film industry, euphemistically Nollywood, has entered the new year on a strong note with several films doing very well at the box office.
It is estimated that over 2,500 movies are produced each year in Nollywood with the industry employing more than a million people. Ingenuity and resourcefulness have always been a trademark of the industry, from homemade movies to ground-breaking blockbusters over the past decade.
Nigerian movies are considered one of the country’s major exports. Improved storytelling and high quality of production evident in the new generation of Nollywood films have resulted in this profit as movies continue to break records.
TCN here compiles a list of the highest-grossing Nigerian films of all time in Nigerian cinemas:
*10. Ijakumo*
Ijakumo (The Born Again Stripper) is a 2022 suspense thriller produced by Toyin Abraham and had its theatrical release on 23 December 2022.[2] The film stars an ensemble cast including Toyin Abraham, Kunle Remi, Lolade Okusanya, Bimbo Akintola, Olumide Oworu, Lillian Afegbai among others.
Ijakumo (The Born Again Stripper) tells the story of Asabi (Toyin Abraham), the daughter of a powerful spiritualist who is hell-bent on destroying the life of her ex-lover, a now renowned Lagos big pastor, Jide(Kunle Remi) who cheated her and left her to die. Pastor Jide who also is not a true man of God, but belongs to some sort of cabal that commits all sorts of atrocity. In her quest to destroy Pastor Jide, she sought for the help of Sharon (Lolade Okusanya), a stripper and a church choir who Jide now begins to lust after to destroy him.
The Adebayo Tijani and Steve Sodiya-directed movie went on to gross over ₦278 million during its cinematic run.
*9. Sugar Rush*
Sugar Rush is a 2019 Nigerian crime action comedy film written by Jadesola Osiberu and Bunmi Ajakaiye, and directed by Kayode Kasum. The film stars Adesua Etomi, Bisola Aiyeola and Bimbo Ademoye in the lead roles. The film had its theatrical release on 25 December 2019 coinciding with Christmas and opened to mixed reviews from critics. Despite the mixed reviews, the film became a box office success and became the fourth highest grossing Nigerian film of all time.
The film grossed ₦40 million in the opening weekend since the Christmas release and become the fifth highest grossing Nollywood film in 2019 with ₦58.76 million. The film eventually grossed a total of ₦287 million.
*8. King of Thieves*
King of Thieves (Agẹṣinkólé) is a 2022 Nigerian thriller film produced by Femi Adebayo and directed by Tope Adebayo and Adebayo Tijani. It stars Odunlade Adekola, Femi Adebayo, Toyin Abraham, Broda Shaggi, Adebowale “Debo” Adedayo aka Mr Macaroni, Lateef Adedimeji, and Ibrahim Chatta. The Epic Yoruba-language movie was produced by Femi Adebayo’s Euphoria360 media and co-produced by the Niyi Akinmolayan’s Anthill studios.
“King of Thieves” (Ògúndábède) tells the tale of the renowned town and prosperous kingdom of Ajeromi. Life in Ajeromi was thriving, with peace and prosperity reigning supreme. However, the tranquility of the kingdom was disrupted when Agesinkole, a formidable bandit and6 terrorist, arrived to unleash terror upon its people. Determined to protect their peaceful way of life, the inhabitants of Ajeromi united and all their available resources against the menace of Agesinkole.
The movie grossed a total of ₦320,805,150.
*7. Brotherhood*
Brotherhood is a Nigerian crime-action thriller produced by Jade Osiberu and starring Tobi Bakre, Boma Akpore, Falz, Basketmouth, Sam Dede, Ronke Oshodi Oke, Toni Tones, Zubby Micheal, Mr Macaroni and a host of others. The film was released to cinemas in Africa on 23 September 2022. The film started showing simultaneously in several African countries including Nigeria, Cameroon, Benin Republic, Burkina Faso, Togo, Niger Republic, Senegal, Congo, Rwanda, Gabon, Guinea, and Madagascar.
Brotherhood tells a story of twin brothers Wale Adetula (played by Falz) and Akin Adetula (played by Tobi Bakre) who witnessed their parents being killed while they were young. Growing up the twin brothers find themselves on opposite sides of the law as Wale joins the Police SWAT team while Akin becomes a criminal which landed him in prison severally.
The movie grossed more than ₦328 million.
*6. Chief Daddy*
Chief Daddy is a 2018 Nigerian comedy drama film directed by Niyi Akinmolayan, written by Bode Asiyanbi and produced by Mosunmola Abudu and Temidayo Abudu, which was released in December 2018. It starred popular Nollywood actors and actresses Funke Akindele Bello, Kate Henshaw, Nkem Owoh, Joke Silva, Patience Ozokwor, Richard Mofe Damijo and Racheal Oniga.
Chief Daddy was released in Nigeria on December 14, 2018 and in the Netherlands on March 15, 2019 via Netflix. It follows the story of a billionaire industrialist, Chief Beecroft, who serves as a benefactor to a large extended family of relatives, household staff and mistresses. He dies suddenly and his will creates a saga amongst his extended families.
It grossed ₦387,540,749 during its run in the cinemas.
*5. The Wedding Party 2*
The Wedding Party 2: Destination Dubai is a Nigerian romantic comedy drama film directed by Niyi Akinmolayan. It is a sequel to The Wedding Party, which was released in December 2016. Principal photography for the film, which was shot in Lagos and Dubai, began in May 2017. It is currently the fourth highest grossing Nigerian film of all time.
Dozie’s (Banky Wellington) elder brother, Nonso (Enyinna Nwigwe), has continued his romance with Deadre (Daniella Down), Dunni’s (Adesua Etomi) bridesmaid. Nonso takes Deadre on a date in Dubai and proposes marriage by accident. After a disastrous traditional engagement ceremony in Lagos, Nonso’s family and Deadre’s aristocratic British family reluctantly agree to a wedding in Dubai.
The Niyi Akinmolayan-directed movie raked in ₦433,197,377 in total revenue.
*4. The Wedding Party*
The Wedding Party is a 2016 Nigerian romantic comedy drama directed by Kemi Adetiba. It premiered on 8 September 2016 at the Toronto International Film Festival in Canada and on 26 November 2016 at Eko Hotel and Suites in Lagos. The film was released worldwide on 16 December 2016, and became the highest grossing Nigerian film; a record which was broken in 2021 by Omo Ghetto: The Saga.
The film takes place during the day and evening of the wedding between Dunni Coker (Adesua Etomi), a 24-year-old art gallery owner who is the only daughter of Engineer Bamidele and Mrs. Tinuade Coker, and the IT entrepreneur Dozie Onwuka (Banky Wellington), who comes from a very wealthy family. His mother, Lady Obianuju Onwuka, considers her son to be marrying beneath himself.
The ₦60 million film recorded ₦453,000,000 in total revenue.
*3. Omo Ghetto: The Saga*
Omo Ghetto: The Saga also known as Omo Ghetto 2 is a 2020 Nigerian gangster comedy film co-directed by Funke Akindele and JJC Skillz. The film stars Funke Akindele, Chioma Akpota, Nancy Isime, Eniola Badmus, Bimbo Thomas, Deyemi Okanlawon and Mercy Aigbe in the lead roles. This was the second film in the Omo Ghetto franchise and it was also the sequel to the 2010 trilogy film Omo Ghetto.
The film had its theatrical release coinciding with Christmas on 25 December 2020 and was opened to extremely positive reviews from critics. It became a box office success and surpassed Fate of Alakada as the highest grossing Nigerian film for the year 2020. It went on to gross a total of ₦636.1 million in revenue.
*2. Battle on Buka Street*
Battle on Buka Street is a 2022 Nigerian comedy drama film directed by Funke Akindele and Tobi Makinde. The film is jointly produced as a collaboration between Funke Ayotunde Akindele Network (FAAN) and5 FilmOne Studios. The film had its theatrical debut on 16 December 2022 and opened to extremely positive reviews from critics.
It follows the story of Yejide who runs the most patronized buka (stall) in Otanwa community’s “Buka Street” with help from her mother Asake and her children. However, her step-sister and archenemy Awele buys the neighbouring shop one day and starts competing. Their rivalry dates back to before their childhood; their mothers, Asake and Ezinne, both married to their father Meduka, were jealous and conflicted with each other, and this carried on to their children.
The film became a huge box office success raking in over ₦668 million.
*1. A Tribe Called Judah*
A Tribe Called Judah is a 2023 Nigerian film produced by Funke Akindele and starring Funke Akindele, Timini Egbuson, Jide Kene Achufusi, Uzee Usman, Tobi Makinde, Olumide Oworu, Genoveva Umeh, Nse Ikpe Etim, Juliana Olayode, Uzor Arukwe, Fathia Balogun, Yvonne Jegede and many others.
The film was released to the cinema nationwide on 15 December 2023 and received rave reviews from critics and theatregoers alike. Akindele has said the film is dedicated to her late mother, and draws partially from her mother’s life.
The film, which is currently still running in cinemas, is the highest grossing film in Nigeria as it has recorded over ₦1.1 billion in revenue.