Key Events and Milestones That Shaped Nollywood in 2025

From record-breaking box office hits to new international recognitions and multiple streaming services launching unique offerings, 2025 in Nollywood was a year of putting some systems in place and a wake-up call to make other existing structures more active. Moreover, the year was one for collaborations, from successful film projects to fledging non-film initiatives. 

Here’s our 2025 News Wrapped for the Nigerian film industry:

Box Office Records

• Ori (Rebirth): Muyiwa Ademola’s sequel to his award-winning Ori (2004) opened on May 1 with a record ₦19M in advance screenings, breaking Funke Akindele’s ₦16.7M Everybody Loves Jenifa record and setting the strongest May opening. It went on to earn over ₦419M, entering Nollywood’s all-time Top 10.

• Red Circle: Nora Awolowo’s debut feature film production, Red Circle, directed by Akay Mason, surpassed ₦100M at the box office just three weeks after its June 6 release, making 26-year-old Awolowo the youngest Nigerian filmmaker to cross this milestone.

• Gingerrr: Yemi Morafa’s Gingerrr was produced by Bukunmi “Kiekie” Adeaga-Ilori, Bisola Aiyeola, Wunmi Toriola, Bolaji Ogunmola, and Cinemax founder Ope Ajayi. The collaborative project became Nollywood’s highest-grossing September release of all time and one of the highest-grossing Nollywood films of 2025, breaking into the top 5 highest-grossing Nigerian films of all time.

• Behind The Scenes: On December 12, Funke Akindele and Tunde Olaoye’s BTS hit cinemas, setting a new advance screening record with ₦27.2M. As the first 2025 release to break five opening weekend records and the fastest Nollywood film to reach ₦500M, it quickly overtook Gingerrr to become 2025’s top-earning Nollywood movie. BTS crossed the ₦1 billion mark just 19 days after its release, making it the fastest West African film to achieve this milestone and Akindele’s third consecutive billion-naira blockbuster. It is currently on track to top Nollywood’s all-time highest-grossing list.

(Click to Follow the What Kept Me Up channel on WhatsApp)

Streaming and Film Distribution

• Kunle Afolayan does YouTube: Following disruptions in film distribution in Nigeria, Kunle Afolayan—who previously called attention to the reduced Netflix originals from Nigeria—joined the growing list of Nigerian filmmakers taking their work to YouTube with the launch of KAP Stream. Acclaimed titles like The CEO, Phone Swap, The Figurine, Mokalik, and October 1 are now available on the channel.

• Omoni Oboli’s record-breaking YouTube run: On March 7, Stanley Obi’s Love in Every Word was released on YouTube, becoming the biggest hit on producer Omoni Oboli’s YouTube channel with 31 million views in just 9 months. The film sparked a viral romantic pairing between Uzor Arukwe and Bamike “BamBam” Olawunmi-Adenibuyan. The sequel, Love in Every Word: The Wedding, premiered on October 24 and has since crossed 19 million views. These releases, alongside other uploaded works, earned Oboli the YouTube Nigeria Content Creator of the Year award. 

• Kava Launch: In August, Kava (a streaming platform collaboration between Filmhouse Group and Inkblot Studios) launched with over 30 premium Nollywood films, including Alakada: Bad and Boujee, Owambe Thieves, House Job, and What About Us? 

• EbonyLife ON Plus: On November 6, Mo Abudu’s EbonyLife Group unveiled EbonyLife ON Plus, a streaming platform featuring lifestyle packages like e-commerce, masterclasses, and e-learning.

• Circuits TV moves into production: Nearly a year after launching as a virtual cinema and TVOD platform, Circuits TV is expanding into original content with King of Thieves 2 and the Mount Zion x Sozo Films remake of the Christian classic Agbara Nla (1992).

• EnfiTV: EnfiTV, created by Producers Olaniyi Famodun (Last Call), Lanre Awolokun (Last Call), and Kome Agbanoma (Lara of Lagos), offers a marketplace-style model that lets filmmakers earn high pay-per-view rates without exclusivity. 

• FaithStream: Former Sony Pictures Television executive Kunle Falodun and tech entrepreneur Hakeem Condotti are building FaithStream—a free global streaming hub exclusively for African and international faith-based content—through partnerships with key players like Laju Iren and Mount Zion Films.

International Recognition

• Akinola Davies Jr. goes to Cannes: On May 18, My Father’s Shadow became the first Nigerian selection at the Cannes Film Festival, where it received the Caméra d’Or Special Mention. In November, it won Davies Best Director at the 28th British Independent Film Awards, as well as a BAFTA Breakthrough Artist award. It later became the UK’s official entry for the 2026 Academy Awards, though it did not make the shortlist. 

• Ré Olunuga goes to Cannes: In May, Nigerian composer Ré Olunuga attended the Cannes Film Festival as one of 10 global participants in the “Spot the Composer” program, a Cannes Film Market initiative, connecting composers with producers and directors. His selection followed international recognition for works like Disney’s Iwaju (2024) and MTV’s Shuga (2009-). 

• Kachi Benson Emmy win for Madu: Also in May, Joel Kachi Benson earned nominations in both Outstanding Arts and Culture Documentary and Outstanding Direction (Documentary) categories of the prestigious Emmy Awards. In June, he became the first Nigerian filmmaker to win an Emmy, earning the Outstanding Arts and Culture Documentary category for his critically-acclaimed Disney original documentary, Madu (2024). 

• Emmy Academy Nigerian invitees: The International Academy of Television Arts and Sciences invited Chinenye “Chichi” Nworah (Shanty Town) and creative entrepreneur Dare Art Alade (The Real Housewives of Lagos) as members, joining names like Mo Abudu and Femi Adebayo.

• The Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences invites two Nigerians: In June, the Academy Awards included Ré Olunuga (Music Branch)and Bunmi Ademilola Fashina, known for her work in Mami Wata and Shanty Town (Costume Designers branch), in its 2025 class of 534 global invitees. This comes after no Nigerian additions in 2024.

• Ema Edosio Deelen’s film opens Locarno Open Doors: In August, Ema Edosio Deelen’s When Nigeria Happens screened as the opening title of the Switzerland-based Locarno Open Doors programme, marking a prestigious moment for Nigerian cinema. 

• Dika Ofoma wins three awards at Locarno Open Doors: Also in August, Dika Ofoma’s anticipated debut feature, produced by Blessing Uzzi, Kachifo (Till the Morning Comes), earned a Locarno Open Doors Grant (€21,000), the Prix Arte Kino International grant (€6,000), and the Sørfond Award, securing its spot at the Norwegian pitching event in November.

• Venice: One Woman One Bra and Saint Simeon: Vincho Nchogu’s One Woman One Bra (produced by Josh Olaoluwa) and Olubunmi Ogunsola’s Saint Simeon screened at the 2025Venice Film Festival held from August 27 to September 6. Both films were developed through La Biennale’s Biennale College Cinema.

• TIFF Nigerian selections: In September, Akinola Davies Jr.’s My Father’s Shadow screened in the Centerpiece program at the Toronto International Film Festival. Idris Elba’s Dust to Dreams (co-produced by Mo Abudu’s EbonyLife Films) screened in Short Cuts, while Shirley Frimpong Manso’s Stitches (produced by Chris Odeh) screened in the Industry Selects category. Market screenings included Omotola Jalade-Ekeinde’s Mother’s Love and Tolu Itegboje’s Bam Bam. There was also a Nigerian filmmaker in the Talent Initiative: Kaelo Iyizoba (Boy Meets Girl).

• Cheta Chukwu’s double win at Red Sea Souk Project Market: Cheta Chukwu’s To Catch a Falling Sky won two in-kind awards worth $5,000 in Professional Business and Legal Support (from Freshly Ground Stories) and the $15,000 Red Sea Souk Jury Special Mention Award at the Red Sea Souk Project Market, held from December 6th to 10th.  

First Time Producers, Directors and Actors

First-time theatrical producers: While popular companies like Greoh, Anthill and Inkblot had a slower theatrical year, 2025 saw a wave of producers releasing their first films in cinemas. These include:

• Timini Egbuson with Reel Love, directed by longtime collaborator Kayode Kasum. The co-production with FilmOne Studios, FilmTrybe and Nexthought was released on Valentine’s Day.
• Richard Mofe-Damijo released the official debut of his RMD Productions, Isioma Osaje’s Radio Voice, in April.
• Dr Toyosi Akerele-Ogunsiji’s Rise Interactive Studios and Rise Networks also released Michael Akinrogunde’s AI-centered Makemation in April.
• Efe Irele’s Frame Flix HQ co-produced My Mother is a Witch with Anthill Studios, premiering the Niyi Akinmolayan-directed family drama in May. 
• Nora Awolowo’s Rixel Studios released Red Circle in June.
• Blessing Uzzi’s Bluhouse Studio brought Afolabi Olalekan’s Freedom Way to cinemas in July after a festival run.
• Funmbi Ogunbanwo’s Fatherland released Akinola Davies Jr.’s award-winning My Father’s Shadow in September.

First-time directors: Alongside Afolabi Olalekan (Freedom Way) and Akinola Davies Jr. (My Father’s Shadow), who made a splash with their feature debut directorial works, other notable first-time directors in 2025 include: 

• Dele Doherty’s psychological thriller, Landline, was released on Prime Video in April.
• Producer Momo Spaine stepped into the director’s seat for After 30, the sequel to the 2015 series directed by BB Sasore (Before 30), which debuted on Prime Video in May.
• Sarah Kwaji’s ode to postpartum psychosis, Out in the Darkness, premiered at Paris’ NollywoodWeek in May before heading to Nigerian cinemas in July. 
• Wingonia Ikpi with the premiere of The Lost Days on Prime Video in July, as part of Steve Gukas and Dọtun Olakunri’s First Features Project.
• Yomi Adejumo’s psychological drama, Thicker Than Water, was released on Prime Video in October.
• Daniel Etim Effiong’s The Herd hit Netflix on November 21 following its cinema run in October.
• Screenwriter Toluwani Obayan Osibe transitioned into directing with her identity-discovery drama Colour Me True,  the 10th film from First Features Project, which came to Prime Video on December 4. 
• Popular actress and producer Toyin Abraham Ajeyemi took on directing with Oversabi Aunty, released theatrically on December 19.
• Honourable mentions: Uzoamaka Power, and the directorial duo, Olamide Adio and Victor Daniel directed My Body, God’s Temple, andWhat’s Left of Us, respectively, for Zikoko Life’s YouTube anthology released in July. Power’s latest film, Siraam, a Zikoko production by Blessing Uzzi, premiered at the S16 Film Festival in December alongside the duo’s short film, Mother.

Nigerian actors in their first major roles

• Radio broadcaster and model TJ Omusuku stepped into the limelight as Rachel Monday, the leading lady in Kayode Kasum’s Reel Love.
• Child actors Godwin Chiemerie Egbo and Chibuike Marvellous Egbo made their feature film debut in Akinola Davies Jr.’s award-winning My Father’s Shadow, playing young brothers spending the day with their estranged father.
• Oiza and Meyi Abu, twin sisters known for their music and social media, took on the lead roles in Paul Utomi’s Say Who Die?, a dark comedy-drama streaming on Prime Video.
• Sharon Rotimi (The Yard, Finding Me) stars as Chidinma in Tolu “LordTanner” Awobiyi’s The Artifact: Stones of Fatima, marking her first major theatrical role. The film was shot in 2023 and released to cinemas in March 2025.

Other 2025 Highlights

• Nollywood YouTube Scriptgate (Jayne’s Trilogy): In January, scriptwriter Jayne Nwachukwu made headlines after selling the same script to multiple producers, including Omoni Oboli (A Different Type of Love) and Susan Jimah (Hope is Given). At least three films used the same story, sparking conversations about originality and copyright in Nollywood’s YouTube space.

• With Difficulty Comes Ease’s AMVCA snub: While films like Femi Adebayo’s Seven Doors and Lateef Adedimeji’s Lísàbí: The Uprising won big at the AMVCAs in May, Korede Azeez’s With Difficulty Comes Ease was noticeably absent. Despite critical acclaim, it missed nominations for Best Directing, Best Actress, and Best Film.

• To Adaego With Love wins big at AFRIFF 2025: In November, Nwamaka Chikezie’s post-war romance, To Adaego With Love, won big at AFRIFF (where a film market was held for the first time), taking home Best Film and Best Writing.

• Taye Arimoro vs Peggy Ovire: Also in November, Taye Arimoro and producer Peggy Ovire became embroiled in an altercation that allegedly turned physical after the actor refused to act beyond his contracted hours. CCTV footage of the incident reignited concerns about on-set safety, professional boundaries, and actors’ rights. In the aftermath, guilds demanded apologies from both parties but suspended Arimoro, stating that he must complete the film (Pieces of Love) under supervision. The actor has now filed a ₦100M lawsuit against Ovire and is suing the DGN, AGN, and AMP for ₦1 billion over unlawful suspension.

• Dika Ofoma wins Inaugural AFP Critics Prize: In December, 26-year-old Dika Ofoma won the inaugural AFP Critics Prize at Lagos’ S16 Film Festival for his critically-acclaimed short Obi Is a Boy, just a year after earning the festival’s Rising Star Award for God’s Wife.

• December Box Office Debates: Films from Funke Akindele (Behind the Scenes), Ini Edo (A Very Dirty Christmas), Niyi Akinmolayan (Colours of Fire) and Toyin Abraham (Oversabi Aunty), released around the same time, have reignited discussions on cinema ethics and fan-driven ticket sales amid a competitive box office season.

Looking Ahead To 2026

In 2025, Nollywood found new ways to distribute films despite the foreign streaming slowdown. At the same time, it made significant international strides that require sustenance. 

2025 as a collaborative year with new paths and new systems means 2026 should be about embracing those innovations and refining them, while ensuring that creators, producers, and actors are fairly rewarded for their time, talent, and investment. It should be about audiences too: reaching new audiences and rewarding returning audiences for their loyalty. 

More than ever, every filmmaker is expected to have systems that engage their audiences all year round, even without releasing new films.

Become a patron: To support our in-depth and critical coverage—become a Patron today!
Join the conversation: Share your thoughts in the comments section or on our social media accounts