Category: Entertainment

Nigerian films claim 50.4% of box office revenue, surpassing foreign competitors – Dr. Patric Doyle

Renowned Nigerian actor Dr. Patric Doyle has revealed that the Nigerian film industry achieved a significant milestone in 2024, securing 50.4% of box office revenue and surpassing foreign films.

This achievement was highlighted at the 7th Nigeria Diaspora Investment Summit (NDIS7), where industry leaders gathered to discuss the investment potential within Nigeria’s creative sector.

Renowned Nigerian actor Dr. Patric Doyle, who moderated a panel on the “Appraisal of Investment Prospects in the Nigerian Creative Industry,” noted the substantial growth of Nigerian cinema citing the recent success of Blackbook as the most successful African film on Netflix.

“Nigerian films now account for 50.4% of the box office revenue, surpassing foreign films. This remarkable achievement is largely attributed to the exceptional work of Nigerian actors, producers, and filmmakers, like RMD, lead actor in the film “Blackbook”, named the most successful African film on Netflix,” Doyle stated.

Doyle emphasized that NDIS7 offers a unique opportunity for diaspora investors to tap into this momentum.

Investment opportunities

Panelist Idris Olorunnimbe, founder of The Temple Company, highlighted the profitability of Nigeria’s creative industry and urged the diaspora to seize investment opportunities.

“The Diaspora can invest in infrastructure, skills, and talents in this industry and own something that’s profitable,” Olorunnimbe said.

He pointed out the increasing global demand for Nigerian content and stressed the role of data-driven decision-making.

“The marketplace is data, and there are people like us, who are willing and able to use your money wisely and get you the best product and returns on investment.”

Afrobeats’ global success

Ayo Animashaun, founder of Hip TV, celebrated the international success of Afrobeats and stressed the need for more investment to harness its full potential.

“We have not milked the popularity of our music enough; last year, Afrobeats recorded over $345 million in streaming across only two platforms, and Nigerian artists sell out big shows around the world. The opportunities are massive, we need the Diaspora to invest in more record labels and to create more festivals for Afrobeats,” Animashaun said.

Nigerian-Canadian filmmaker Niyi Akinmolayan highlighted the untapped potential of Nigeria as a film production hub, calling on stakeholders to leverage the country’s resources and talent to create content that resonates globally as Nigeria is capable of making large-scale film projects.

“The content doesn’t even have to be completely Nigerian. We have all the space, the land, and capable hands to shoot some of the big motion films in the world right here back home,” he said.

Richard Mofe Damijo (RMD), a prominent Nollywood actor, expressed that building trust between Nigerian businesses and diaspora investors could lead to broader economic growth across multiple sectors.

Box office revenue Dr. Patric DoyleNDIS7 Nollywood

December 3, 2024
Queen Lateefah hits N317M in box office
Wunmi Toriola’s Queen Lateefah, produced and distributed by Cinemax, has become one of Nollywood’s top-grossing films of 2024 so far with N317 million in earnings.

Since its release on September 27, the film has captivated audiences across Nigeria, driving sustained ticket sales and setting new records.

Here’s a closer look at Queen Lateefah’s remarkable performance trajectory and what it signals for Nollywood:

In its debut week alone, Queen Lateefah stormed past expectations by grossing N100.2 million, setting the stage for a highly successful run.

This initial surge, as reported by Nairametrics, was buoyed by strong word-of-mouth and an engaging storyline that resonated with Nigerian audiences. By the end of its first 3 day weekend, the film had already generated N58 million, securing its spot as the highest-grossing Nigerian film during a non-holiday weekend in 2024.

A timeline of its earnings
- As the weeks progressed, Queen Lateefah continued to build on this momentum, breaking the N200 million mark within three weeks of release.
- By October 15, the film had grossed N216 million, placing it among the highest-earning films in Nigerian cinema history.
- The movie’s consistent box office pull is attributed to both its mass appeal and Cinemax’s effective distribution strategy.
Cinemax founder Ope Ajayi highlighted the company’s focus on connecting filmmakers with audiences, noting that Queen Lateefah’s success shows the growing appetite for Nigerian stories.
- By the third weekend of October, Queen Lateefah reached N256 million, inching closer to the elusive N300 million club.
- During the weekend of October 18-20, it pulled in an additional N23.3 million, ranking just behind The Uprising by Omoni Oboli in terms of box office performance. This remarkable showing demonstrated Nollywood’s capacity to compete with foreign releases, even during competitive screening periods.
What to know

As of November 3, Queen Lateefah officially crossed the N300 million threshold, grossing a total of N317 million. This milestone places the film among Nollywood’s most successful productions and reinforces the industry’s potential for large-scale commercial success.
- Ajayi expressed optimism that the movie will continue drawing audiences, projecting a final gross of around N400 million by the end of its run.
- The movie’s impressive performance highlights Nollywood’s growing clout in the West African market, especially as it contends with international productions. Queen Lateefah is a testament to the evolving tastes of Nigerian audiences, who are increasingly supporting locally produced content. With over 23,000 tickets sold to date, the film is expected to enjoy another few weeks of solid returns
- Cinemax’s achievements with Queen Lateefah also point to a promising future for Nigerian cinema, with plans to expand into global distribution partnerships. The success of Queen Lateefah reinforces the notion that Nollywood is on a path to becoming a dominant force in Africa’s entertainment landscape, capturing the hearts of audiences and setting new benchmarks for Nigerian storytelling.
- Deborah Dan-Awoh is a seasoned lifestyle analyst with a knack for storytelling. The focus of her work covers people, money and culture as it relates with business and economy. When she’s not keeping tabs on the latest trends in lifestyle and finance- Deborah enjoys networking with industry experts to gain insight into major markets as it affects the populace
December 3, 2024
Venom, The Last Dance hits N123.6million in Nigerian Cinemas
The Hollywood thriller Venom: The Last Dance has recently crossed the notable N100 million milestone in Nigerian cinemas, amassing a total of N123.6 million.

The film made its debut in Nigeria with a strong N77 million, including earnings from its advanced screenings, and went on to add N117 million between October 25 and October 31, 2024. This performance has positioned Venom: The Last Dance firmly at the top of Nigeria’s box office rankings.

As of last week, Venom: The Last Dance outperformed its predecessor, Venom: Let There Be Carnage (2021), with 14,369 tickets sold on its opening weekend compared to the previous film’s 13,906 tickets.

Globally, Venom: The Last Dance entered theatres with a substantial production budget of $120 million and has faced a mixed reception.

The film’s second weekend saw a considerable drop in North American ticket sales, with a projected $19 million for the weekend following a lukewarm $5 million Friday — marking a 63% decline from its debut.

Despite this, the threequel’s domestic gross has reached $82.9 million, bolstered by unexpectedly strong performances on the Tuesday and Halloween dates of the preceding week.

What we know

While Venom: The Last Dance stands as Sony’s latest addition to its Marvel lineup, it has not garnered the level of word-of-mouth support typically needed to surpass box office expectations.
- As of the latest reports, the film has achieved a global cumulative of $184 million.
- Despite the momentum, it remains distant from the franchise highs set by the original Venom (which reached $856 million) and its follow-up, Venom: Let There Be Carnage (at $506 million).
- Nonetheless, it took only a single week for The Last Dance to exceed the total global earnings of both Morbius ($167 million) and Madame Web ($100 million), two recent releases under the Sony/Marvel banner that failed to captivate audiences.
On the competition front, Venom: The Last Dance faces minimal domestic challenges, with Robert Zemeckis’ Here projected to earn only $5 million, holding a distant second.

This limited competition could enable the Venom threequel to consolidate its position in the market, despite tepid reviews and lukewarm fan reception that reflect a challenging period for Sony’s Marvel lineup.

With Kraven the Hunter slated as Sony’s next major release, the studio may need to recalibrate its strategy to reinvigorate its Marvel properties and rebuild consumer enthusiasm in the genre.

As the franchise’s future evolves, industry analysts and cinema-goers alike will be watching closely to see if Venom’s latest instalment can sustain its momentum in the coming weeks.

Deborah Dan-Awoh is a seasoned lifestyle analyst with a knack for storytelling. The focus of her work covers people, money and culture as it relates with business and economy. When she’s not keeping tabs on the latest trends in lifestyle and finance- Deborah enjoys networking with industry experts to gain insight into major markets as it affects the populace

Globally Nigerian cinemas Venom: The Last Dance
December 3, 2024
Nile Group secures royal partnership to launch 1,000 screens in 5 Years
Nile Cinemas has secured a historic partnership with His Imperial Majesty, the Ooni of Ife, to manage Ojaja Cinemas in a project that aims to transform the Nigerian movie entertainment landscape.

This alliance plans to launch 1,000 cinema screens across Nigeria over the next five years, beginning with locations in Ile-Ife, Akure, and Lagos.

The management handover took place in a ceremonial signing on October 29, 2024, attended by the Ooni of Ife and his wife, Olori Ronke Ademiluyi Ogunwusi.

Speaking at the event, the Ooni highlighted the project’s potential impact on Nigerian youth employment through his 1,000-acre Ojaja Film and Talent City.

“I am not an expert, but I am using my platform as a monarch to create employment for Nigeria’s young and growing population. We cannot rely solely on the government, and that’s why I decided to establish the Ojaja Film and Talent City,” he stated.

This expansive creative hub in Ile-Ife, inaugurated on October 17, 2024, by former Minister of Works and former Lagos State Governor, Babatunde Fashola, alongside Osun State Governor Ademola Adeleke, aims to foster film production and talent development on a large scale.

The Ooni praised Nile’s CEO, Moses Babatope, for his pioneering contributions to Nigeria’s film industry. Babatope, who previously revolutionized the cinema landscape with FilmOne, shared Nile’s vision for an elevated entertainment ecosystem.

“We are building an entertainment ecosystem that will redefine how Nigerians experience cinema,” Babatope emphasized.

“Our vision extends beyond traditional cinema management to creating multiple revenue streams through strategic partnerships, premium experiences, and innovative content distribution.

“This is the paradigm shift our industry has been waiting for, and Nile is ready to lead with major investments in technology, talent, and infrastructure.”

Several senior Nile Group executives attended the ceremony, including Biola Sokenu, COO; Dr. Bukky George Taylor, VP of Nile X Luxury Cinema; and Olalekan Oginni, Group Real Estate and Business Development Director.

What we know
- The partnership includes the immediate management of Ojaja Cinemas’ Ile-Ife and Akure locations, introducing enhanced viewing experiences and advanced content distribution technologies.
- Additionally, Nile Cinemas is expanding to incorporate THC Cinemax Ogba and Royal Roots Ikota, positioning it as West Africa’s fifth-largest cinema chain by the end of 2024.
- Former Commissioner for Arts and Tourism, Uzamat Akinbile Yussuf, expressed support, calling the integration of THC Cinemax into the Nile Cinema Chain “a strategic alignment of our vision for entertainment innovation in Nigeria.” Similarly, Mr. Greg Odutayo of Royal Roots Cinema endorsed Nile’s capabilities, affirming, “We trust Nile to deliver a world-class entertainment experience for Nigerians.”
- This ambitious partnership between Nile Group and Ojaja Cinemas sets a bold new course for Nigerian cinema, with far-reaching implications for the entertainment industry and youth employment across the nation.
Deborah Dan-Awoh is a seasoned lifestyle analyst with a knack for storytelling. The focus of her work covers people, money and culture as it relates with business and economy. When she’s not keeping tabs on the latest trends in lifestyle and finance- Deborah enjoys networking with industry experts to gain insight into major markets as it affects the populace
December 3, 2024
Tinubu’s Directive Yields ₦50bn Boost for Student Loan Fund

The Nigerian Education Loan Fund (NELFUND) has received a significant injection of ₦50 billion from the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), following a directive from President Bola Tinubu.

This funding aims to enhance the student loan program and increase access to education for Nigerian students.

In a statement, NELFUND’s Director of Corporate Communications, Oseyemi Oluwatuyi, expressed gratitude to President Tinubu for his commitment to education and social intervention policies.

He added that the fund will be utilized to provide financial support to students, enabling them to pursue their academic goals without financial constraints.

NELFUND has pledged to partner with the EFCC to ensure the transparent and efficient disbursement of the funds, directly benefiting those who need them most.

October 30, 2024
“The most genius thing I have done in my life was being able to spot the passion and resilience in him” – Don Jazzy appoints new President and COO of Mavin

Music executive Don Jazzy has made a huge announcement as he appoints Tega Oghenejobo as President and COO of his record label, Mavin.

In a post on his Instagram page, the highly respected music mogul noted how he is always praised for being able to spot and raise superstars, but he can proudly say the most genius thing he has done in his life was being able to spit the passion and resilience in Tega.

He said that from the early days, he has watched Tega be curious about the business, build teams, develop executives, and ensure their talents have sustainable careers from the start. According to Don Jazzy, Tega’s commitment to growing Mavin and shaping the future of African music has been relentless, and he is confident that with him in this new role, they will continue to break new ground and achieve even bigger milestones for their artists and company.

“I’m proud to announce Tega’s expanded role as President and COO of Mavin. I am often praised for being able to spot and raise superstars, but I can proudly say the most genius thing I have done in my life was being able to spot the passion and resilience in Tega. From the early days, I’ve watched him be curious about the business, build teams, develop executives, and ensure our talents have sustainable careers from the start. His commitment to growing Mavin and shaping the future of African music has been relentless, and I’m confident that with him in this role, we’ll continue to break new ground and achieve even bigger milestones for our artists and company. Congratulations @tegamavin”.

Don Jazzy started the MAVIN record label on his own after he left Mo’Hits Records, which he co-founded with D’banj. The music executive has grown to become highly respected in the music industry, and entertainment as a whole. He has received several awards owing to his work as a record label boss and a producer.

Over the past few years, Don Jazzy has promoted a lot of upcoming artists on social media. He has made himself quite accessible online, and this has created a huge platform for budding artists to showcase their talents. Not forgetting his signees, Don Jazzy constantly promotes their music on social media, and this has helped boost their individual careers.

In February, Don Jazzy revealed that Mavin Records had partnered with Universal Music Group to bring more innovation and opportunities, allowing them to showcase their African talent worldwide. He said that this partnership was a milestone that recognizes their collective talent, and hard work while aiming to elevate African music on the global stage. Expressing excitement at the partnership, he added that this step forward was a testament to the dedication of his artists, staff, and, importantly, their fans.

In May, the record label boss celebrated the twelfth anniversary of MAVIN. He shared clips of his past and present signees, alongside their achievements on streaming platforms, as he thanked everyone for supporting them for twelve years.

Last year, Mavin Records celebrated its 11th year of establishment and Don Jazzy penned an emotional note. He recalled the lovely moments created by Mavin, and how it kept growing from strength to strength, breaking boundaries, and impacting positively.

The proud Mavin CEO appreciated his fans, brand partners, and well-wishers who supported the record label with love and made it one of the best. He also appreciated his signees who are doing well to represent the brand across the globe.

In a past interview, Don Jazzy revealed how he uses controversial singer, Portable and not Buju to train his artists. The Mavins founder noted how Portable’s controversial lifestyle has kept him in the spotlight, unlike, Buju, who despite his talent doesn’t receive publicity like Portable. He used the artists’ different Instagram followers to further prove his point, as he added that he continues to ring it into his artists’ heads, to follow Portable’s strategy.

October 30, 2024
”A man will only stay if he wants to” – Uriel Oputa with some relationship advise

Uriel Oputa is dishing out relationship advise, with regards to women who put a lot of effort into relationships that have no headway.

The reality star spoke extensively about what men think about in relationships, and what motivates them to choose a lover in the first place.

In her post, Uriel wrote;

“”Sometimes, I really pity some women. I had to learn the hard way. Look at all the effort some girls put in just to prove they’re good girlfriends.

Here’s the truth: a man knows from day one if he sees a future with you. If he’s serious, you
don’t need to break your back washing, cooking, or running errands to prove your worth.

Go clean his entire house, even his grandparents’ house, it won’t make him stay if he doesn’t want to. As for me, don’t meet me expecting me to cook or play house. I know my
worth.

Men know I can cook, but that doesn’t mean I’m going to start doing wifey duties for free. It’s a lesson many learn too late – all the washing and bending over backward won’t
change a thing if he’s not serious. Take note, ladies!. I have four brothers, I hear inside gist”

Going forward, Uriel went into an in-depth explanation of what will keep a man, and what drives their decisions.

‘”A man will only stay if he wants to stay. No amount of nagging, pleading, or intimacy will change that.

Why? Let me explain. Men are wired differently when it comes to commitment,psychologically, they tend to be more straightforward in how they make decisions about relationships.

While women often weigh emotions, shared
experiences, and long-term dreams, men generally take a more binary approach: they’re either in or out from the start.

Men are biologically predisposed to focus on solutions and outcomes, and this affects how they see relationships too.

Their commitment often comes down to what they’ve decided early on-no amount of bending over backward will change their mind if they’ve already made up their mind.

So, ladies, remember: you can’t ‘convince’ someone to love you or stay if it isn’t what they already feel or want.”

October 30, 2024
“Burna Boy will ask for my account number and send me N12 million as apology by the time I am through with him” – Speed Darlington vows (Video)

Nigeria rapper Speed Darlington seems not to have learned from his mistake as he has threatened to deal with Grammy singer Burna Boy.

Kemi Filani reported last week that Burna Boy filed a petition against Speed Darlington for alleged cyberstalking. The rapper was taken to Abuja where he was detained by the IRT team. Darlington’s mother alleged that Burna Boy and his team were responsible for her son’s arrest, and begged the Grammy singer to release her son.

After spending 3 days in detention, Speed Darlington was released on bail after meeting conditions stipulated by the police at the Inspector General of Police Intelligence Response Team’s Department in the Guzape Area of Abuja.

Rather than tone down his madness, the rapper, via Instagram Live, vowed to deal with Burna. He stated that the Grammy singer would beg for his account number by the time he was through with him.

See some reactions below,

One Cinnamon_Rowlz wrote, “Who the gods want to kill, they first make mad

One Ochany4real wrote, “I thought his mum begged for him? He’s still talking

One Queen Glowray wrote, “Nobody is shouting oppression now. By the time Burna takes it up, everyone will be shouting the rich are oppressing the póor

One Teeto Olayeni wrote, “You people are finding all of these funny. I hope when Burna responds or takes action, it will still be funny.

One Magic Skins_ wrote, “Who be this guy advised sef?

One Precious Chiamaka wrote, “You want him to pay you 12 million after you defamed him. Akpi iwu onye ara

One Yanga Boii wrote, “Na him and Dammy Krane know wetin dem smoke

One Big Ujuposh wrote, “Where is ur mother? I hope she is seeing her son. Anyways, Akpi fights with her

One Aku Ceejay wrote, “Yen yen yen, they will soon pick you up again. Social media though!

One Daniel Collins wrote, “Later now, Nigeria go dey beg for you. U don start again”.

Recall that Speed Darlington raised brows due to his inquisition about Burnaboy’s relationship with American rapper and businessman P.Diddy.

Speed Darlington noted how he had taken a photo with P.Diddy some years back, and after that other Nigerian artists started flying out to meet P.Diddy and take pictures with him. Speed said that shortly after Burna Boy took photos with P.Diddy, he won a Grammy award. Quizzing him, he urged Burna to explain how he became more famous after meeting with P.Diddy.

October 30, 2024
Iyabo Ojo, Yinka Quadri, react as Nkechi Blessing tenders unreserved apology to TAMPAN

Some colleagues of Nollywood actress Nkechi Blessing have reacted following her unreserved apology to the Theater Arts and Motion Pictures Practitioners of Nigeria TAMPAN.

Kemi Filani reported that at an award ceremony in Canada to celebrate Yoruba actors and actresses, Nkechi Blessing knelt to acknowledge her errors to TAMPAN publicly. She sought the forgiveness of the leaders and pleaded that her ban in the industry be lifted.

Still on it, Nkechi, via her Instagram page, stated that she wished she knew the things she knows now, but she is thankful to God for direction and guidance. Tendering an unreserved apology to the members of the association, she hoped they find a place in their hearts to forgive her.

Nkechi, who is turning a new leaf, noted how change comes with a lot of soul searching, sober reflections, and, most importantly, peace within oneself.

Taking to her comment section, Iyabo Ojo, Mo Bimpe, Jamiu Azeez, Oge Okoye, Yewande Adekoya Abiodun, and Kemi Korede sent some love emojis.

Toyosi Adesanya wrote, “God will continue to order your stress

Georgina Ibeh wrote, “God bless you

Yinka Quadri wrote, “Well done”.

Refreshing your memory in 2021, Nkechi and Iyabo Ojo had openly condemned the conduct of Baba Ijesha for allegedly defiling the foster daughter of Nigerian comedienne Princess, which the association wasn’t pleased with. They had also clashed with some TAMPAN members, such as Yomi Fabiyi and Lege Maimi, who kicked against them for openly condemning Baba Ijesha.

Following this, Veteran actor Jide Kosoko took action against them as he barred directors in the association from working with them. Reacting to it, Nkechi mocked the association’s decision, stating they were threatening to frustrate people who could feed their entire generation till the end. She went on to call the association one of lawlessness.

October 30, 2024
“You really won my heart” – Dele Odule, Jide Kosoko react to Nkechi Blessing’s unreserved apology to TAMPAN

Veteran Nollywood actors Jide Kosoko, Dele Odule, and others have reacted to the unreserved apology from Nkechi Blessing to members of TAMPAN.

Kemi Filani reported that at an award ceremony in Canada to celebrate Yoruba actors and actresses, Nkechi Blessing knelt to acknowledge her errors to TAMPAN publicly. She sought the forgiveness of the leaders and pleaded that her ban in the industry be lifted.

Still on it, Nkechi, via her Instagram page, stated that she wished she knew the things she knows now, but she is thankful to God for direction and guidance. Tendering an unreserved apology to the members of the association, she hoped they find a place in their hearts to forgive her.

Taking to his Instagram page, Jide Kosoko accepted her apology as he let her know that there was never any action taken against her to keep her out of the industry. Jide stated that Nkechi remains a daughter and prayed that God continues to guide her.

“Nkechi @nkechiblessingsunday Honestly, you are forgiving, even before the President’s pronouncement. There was never any action to keep you out of practice, to the best of my knowledge. You remain a daughter, and Almighty God will continue to be your guide and guard. Amen”.

In his comment section, Dele Odule stated that Nkechi had won his heart with her apology. He noted how he hardly responds or comments on issues, especially on social media, but he is impressed at her mature behavior.

“Nkechi, you really won my heart with this, you know I hardly respond or comment on issues, especially on social media but I just be sincere, you’ve done greatly well, May Almighty Father continually bless your hustle, you’re loved”

Afeez Owo welcoming Nkechi wrote, “You’re welcome back

Yinka Quadri wrote, “You’re most welcome back”.

Mr Latin had also reacted to Nkechi Blessing’s first apology, commending her courage for going public with the apology. He also welcomed her to the TAMPAN group.

Also, Damola Olatunji expressed pride in Nkechi Blessing, acknowledging the actress’s humility and courage. Olatunji stated that it took courage for the actress to apologize for her wrongs, and he loves her for doing so. At the same time, he warmly welcomed Nkechi Blessing to the TAMPAN association.

Refreshing your memory, in 2021, Nkechi and Iyabo Ojo clashed with some TAMPAN members, who kicked against them for openly condemning Baba Ijesha. Following this, Veteran actor Jide Kosoko barred directors in the association from working with them. Reacting to it, Nkechi mocked the association’s decision, stating they were threatening to frustrate people who could feed their entire generation till the end.

October 30, 2024