The Nigerian film industry has showcased exceptional performance since the start of 2024, with momentum continuing from December’s high-profile releases.
The sector has amassed a robust N6 billion in total revenue, with Nollywood films capturing an impressive 50.05% market share.
This positions the Nigerian box office on track to meet its ambitious N10 billion revenue target, significantly surpassing the previous year’s N7.24 billion.
Nollywood films have made a significant contribution, accounting for N2.32 billion of the total revenue and 640,539 admissions.
This slightly outpaces Hollywood’s contribution of N2.32 billion, which represented 49.95% of the market share. However, Hollywood films recorded fewer admissions, with 559,122 tickets sold, equating to a 46.61% share of cumulative admissions compared to Nollywood’s 53.39%.
Despite this achievement, Nollywood’s admissions growth has been marginal, at just 0.01% year-on-year, with total ticket sales hovering around 1.1 million.
In this context, Nairametrics has spotlighted the filmmakers behind some of the year’s highest-grossing films, each surpassing the N100 million mark.
This includes key successes from the first eight months of 2024 as well as standout releases from December 2023.
Emmanuel Iren- What About Us
Box office revenue: N100 million
Emmanuel Aniefiok Iren, is a Nigerian preacher, gospel singer, songwriter, and filmmaker. He is the founder of Celebration Church International (CCI), headquartered in Lagos, Nigeria, which has grown to over 15,000 members worldwide with 30 branches across Nigeria, the UK, Canada, and the USA.
Iren’s music career further expanded in 2022 with the release of his debut solo album, Apostolos: Sounds of Transition, featuring prominent gospel artists like Sinach and Judikay. The album quickly gained popularity, peaking in the top 10 on Apple Music.
In addition to his ministry and music, Iren made his filmmaking debut in 2024 as the executive producer of What About Us, a film that grossed N100 million at the Nigerian box office.
Directed by Kayode Kasum and written by Ife Olujuyigbe, the film marks another creative milestone in Iren’s multifaceted career.
Naz Onuzo-Muri & Ko
Box office revenue: N120.4 million
Naz Onuzo, a prominent figure in both the creative and financial sectors, is the driving force behind Inkblot Productions, one of Nigeria’s leading independent film and TV production companies.
As the Executive Producer on numerous high-grossing films such as The Wedding Party series, Up North, Moms at War, and the latest hit Muri and Ko, Naz has helped solidify Inkblot’s reputation as a powerhouse in Nollywood. Released in June 2024 and directed by Biodun Stephen, Muri and Ko has been a major success, grossing over N100 million at the Nigerian box office within weeks of its release.
Beyond his contributions to Nollywood, Naz is a seasoned private equity professional, with more than a decade of experience at African Capital Alliance. He also serves as a non-executive director at FilmOne Entertainment, Filmhouse Cinemas, and Global Accelerex, where he provides strategic, financial, and creative oversight.
Deyemi Okanlawon-All’s Fair in Love
Box office revenue; N131 million
Deyemi Okanlawon is a prominent Nigerian actor, producer, and entrepreneur known for his significant contributions to Nollywood. He made his film debut in 2010 with ZR-7 and gained recognition through various short films and web series, including Blink and 6:30pm. By 2013, he transitioned to full-time acting, starring in over 50 films, including major titles like Beyond Blood, Road to Yesterday, and No Man’s Land.
In 2024, Okanlawon made his debut as a film producer with the romantic comedy All’s Fair in Love which premeired on February 14. The film, grossing N131.34 million and became the highest-grossing romantic comedy in Nigeria. Producers Deyemi Okanlawon and Esse Akwaka handled casting, while Kayode Kasum and Ifeme C.S. directed and served as directors of photography.
The movie’s captivating narrative, innovative marketing, and star-studded cast contributed to its success, further establishing Okanlawon’s reputation in the Nigerian film industry.
Throughout his career, he has earned accolades, including a Best Actor award at the In-Short Film Festival, and received nominations at the Africa Magic Viewers’ Choice Awards.
Bolanle Austen Peters-Funmilayo Ransom Kuti
Box office revenue: N157 million
Bolanle Austen-Peters, born February 4, 1969, is a distinguished Nigerian lawyer, film director, and cultural entrepreneur. She founded BAP Productions and Terra Kulture, a leading arts and culture center in Lagos. Austen-Peters is recognized by CNN as a pioneer in Nigerian theatre and has been named one of Africa’s most influential women by Forbes Afrique.
Her film Funmilayo holds the record as the highest-grossing biopic in West Africa at N157 million in cinemas, while House of GA’A achieved a top 10 spot on the Global Chart for Non-English Films in its first week. Austen-Peters also launched Terra Academy for the Arts with Mastercard Foundation, focusing on youth empowerment.
Her career includes directing notable productions such as Saro, the Musical, and Fela and The Kalakuta Queens, which have received international acclaim. Previously, Austen-Peters worked with the United Nations and in legal practice before transitioning to the arts.
Toyin Abraham – Malaika
Box office revenue: N158 million
Toyin Abraham Ajeyemi is a leading Nigerian actress and filmmaker. She began her acting career in 2003 when actress Bukky Wright was filming in Ibadan. Abraham has since directed, produced, and starred in several films, including Alani Baba Labake, Ijakumo: The Born Again Stripper, and Ebimi ni.
In 2013, she was nominated for Best Supporting Actress at the Best of Nollywood Awards for her role in Ebimi ni. Her film The Ghost and the Tout Too grossed over N158 million at the 2024nNigerian box office, highlighting her significant impact on the industry.
Abraham also appeared in the reality TV show Keeping Up with Toyin Aimakhu and owns Toyin Abraham Productions.
In 2020, she became an ambassador for Revolution Plus Properties, expanding her influence beyond Nollywood.
Odunlade Adekola – Lakatabu
Box office revenue: N202.2 million
Odunlade Adekola is a prominent Nigerian actor, filmmaker, and producer, widely recognized for his lead role in the 2003 film Asiri Gomina Wa, which catapulted him to fame.
Adekola has appeared in numerous Nollywood productions and is the founder and CEO of Odunlade Adekola Film Production (OAFP). He holds a degree in Business Administration from the University of Lagos.
Adekola made his mark not only as an actor but also as a producer.
His 2024 film Lakatabu’, which premiered on June 21, grossed over N200 million at the Nigerian box office, with total tickets sold standing at 55,048 – solidifying its status as one of the highest-grossing Nollywood films of the year.
Adekola also starred in the movie, further showcasing his versatility in both acting and filmmaking.
Eniola Ajao – Beast of Two Worlds
Box Office Revenue: N252.8 million
Eniola Ajao is a dynamic Nigerian actress known for her versatility in Yoruba-language films. Hailing from Epe, Lagos, she has appeared in over 75 films, including Eniola, Erin Orin, and The Vendor.
Ajao made her producing debut in 2024 with Beast of Two Worlds, which premiered on March 25, 2024, and was released in cinemas on March 29, ahead of Easter celebrations. The movie recorded a total cinema admission of 72,532.
Directed by Odunlade Adekola and Adebayo Tijani, the film tells the story of a desperate king who, in a bid to secure his legacy, marries a woman from another world, leading to unforeseen chaos.
Ajao studied accounting at the University of Lagos and has established herself as a significant personality in Nollywood, particularly in the Yoruba film industry.
Kayode Kasum – Ajosepo
Box office revenue: N256.6 million
Kayode Kasum is a Nigerian director and producer of Ajosepo, which grossed over N200 million in cinemas, pushing his cumulative gross as a director to more than N1 billion at the Nigerian box office.
Kasum’s films are frequently shot in English, Pidgin English, and African dialects, reflecting his dedication to preserving cultural practices for future generations in Africa and the Diaspora.
His filmography includes box office hits such as Sugar Rush, This Lady Called Life, Kambili: The Whole 30 Yards, Soole, and Netflix successes like Far From Home.
In addition to his film work, Kasum has directed over 10,860 minutes of television for MNET’s telenovelas Unbroken and Riona this has created campaigns for brands like Forbes, DHL, and Manchester United. Four of his films landed in Nigeria’s top 10 most-streamed on Netflix in 2021.
Funke Akindele – A Tribe Called Judah
Box office Revenue: N610.7 million
Funke Akindele is one of Nigeria’s most successful actresses and filmmakers. Her career began in 1997, gaining prominence with her role in the UN-sponsored sitcom I Need to Know.
Akindele is known as the “Queen of Box Office” in Nollywood, holding the top three positions for the highest-grossing Nigerian films.
Her film A Tribe Called Judah became the first Nollywood movie to gross over N1 billion. Battle on Buka Street (2022) earned over N660 million, ranking second, while Omo Ghetto: The Saga (2020) is the third highest-grossing Nollywood film. Akindele starred in and produced both blockbusters.