Entertainment

3 Nollywood Veterans Who Made Historic ComeBacks

Published

9 years ago

March 10, 2017

There are actors who take a break from acting and when they decide to make a comeback, nobody notices. Most times, it is because these actors chose a normal production for their comeback. Other times, it is because there was nothing special about the craft they returned in. Today, there are three veterans who staged the perfect comeback despite how long their renaissances lasted.
Genevieve Nnaji
Before 2015, Nnaji made her last box office outing in the movies “Doctor Bello” and “Half a Yellow sun”. After at least two years of absence, the actress made a ground comeback. Nnaji decided to make her debut as an actress with the movie “Road to yesterday” which also stars her as the lead actress.
It was good news that the actress who ruled in the 90s and early 2000 would be returning after two years, it was even a better one that she was adding an achievement that requires strength and skill, producer.
The movie which tells the story of an estranged married couple hoping to mend their strained marriage whilst on a road trip to a relative’s funeral stars the actress alongside Oris Erhuerho, Majid Michel, Chioma ‘Chigul’ Omeruah and veteran Ebele Okaro.
It is also one thing to make a return after two years with a good movie, and a production debut, but it is also a huge one when the movie wins big at one of the biggest movies awards in Africa.
The Ishaya Bako directed movie was nominated in the Best Overall Movie, Best Writer, Best Director, Best Actress, Best Picture Editor, Best Movie West Africa and Best Sound Editor categories.
On March 5, 2016, the movie won the best movie West Africa.
Omotola Jalade Ekeinde
Everyone is talking about the recently released “Alter Ego” trailer, and it has nothing to do with Omotola Jalade Ekeinde’s absence from the box office for over two years. It has everything to do with her character in the Moses Inwang thriller. The actress plays a character with Alter Ego, and just as if the character doesn’t sound complicated enough, the actress returns with raunchy scenes.
The sex scenes in “Alter Ego” are bold. There are no normal boring Nollywood sex scenes. Jalade Ekeinde owns the character, and it is easy to understand why she described the project as special “Alter Ego” is a movie most Nigerians would want to see when it hits cinemas in Nigeria, and it is because of the talented actress called Omotola Jalade-Ekeinde. When she joined the project, the actress took to Instagram to reveal that she is doing something she has never done before.
Richard Mofe Damijo
2016 has been the RMD year and it has nothing to do with his social media presence. The actor who took a break from acting for eight years, returned and suddenly it seems he is in every box office movie.
In January 2009, Nollywood veteran Richard Mofe Damijo became the commissioner for Culture and Tourism in Delta State, taking a break from acting.
In 2016, the actor made a huge return to the screen, featuring in acclaimed productions like “Hush” – a TV series which is working towards Nigerian Television. While fans were still taking in RMD as Bem, “Oloibiri” premiered in Cinemas. The best part of the movie isn’t that he lost 20kg for his role in the 2016 movie as Boma AKA Gunpowder, the leader of a militant group, the best part is the finesse with which he brought the character to life.
Since his return, the actor has featured in movies including “The Grudge”, “The Wedding Party”, Okafor’s Law”, “Dinner”, and “Three Wise Men”.

Entertainment

Funke Akindele’s Behind The Scenes Crosses ?1.77bn

Published

6 days ago

January 9, 2026

The Tide

Funke Akindele’s Behind The Scenes becomes Nollywood’s highest-grossing film of 2025, earning ?1.77bn in under four weeks.

Multi-award-winning actress and producer Funke Akindele has done it again, and this time, the numbers speak louder than applause.

Her latest film, Behind The Scenes, has officially emerged as the highest-grossing Nollywood film of 2025, pulling in an astonishing ?1.767 billion in less than four weeks.

The Tide Entertainment reports that Funke Akindele Makes Box Office History as Behind The Scenes Crosses ?1.77bn
Earlier in its release cycle, the film’s distributor, FilmOne Entertainment, revealed that Behind The Scenes smashed five opening-weekend records, including the highest single-day gross ever recorded on Boxing Day, with ?129.5 million in one day. That announcement already hinted that something unusual was unfolding.

Reacting to the milestone, FilmOne described the moment as both surreal and communal, crediting audience loyalty for pushing the film to the top spot once again as the number-one movie of the weekend. And that sentiment feels accurate. This wasn’t just ticket sales; it was momentum.

What makes this achievement even more striking is that Behind The Scenes is Funke Akindele’s third film to cross the ?1 billion mark. Before now, there was A Tribe Called Judah, and then Everybody Loves Jenifa, a film that didn’t just open big, but went on to become the highest-grossing Nollywood film of all time. At this point, it’s no longer a fluke. It’s a pattern.

Part of Behind The Scenes’ success lies in strategy. The film enjoyed advanced screenings on December 10 and 11, quietly building curiosity and conversation before its nationwide release on December 12. By the time it officially hit cinemas, audiences already felt like they needed to see it.

Then there’s the cast. The film brings together a lineup that feels deliberately stacked: Scarlet Gomez, Iyabo Ojo, Destiny Etiko, Tobi Bakre, Uche Montana, and several others. Familiar faces, strong fan bases, and performances that kept word-of-mouth alive long after opening weekend.

Still, beyond timing and casting, there’s something else at work here. Funke Akindele understands Nigerian audiences. Their humour, their pacing, their emotional buttons. She doesn’t guess, she calculates, experiments, listens, and refines. That understanding has slowly turned into box-office dominance.

Behind The Scenes crossing ?1.77 billion isn’t just another headline; it’s confirmation. Funke Akindele has moved from being a successful actress to becoming one of the most reliable commercial forces Nollywood has ever produced. Three-billion-naira films don’t happen by luck. They happen when storytelling, business sense, and audience trust align.

And right now, that alignment seems firmly in her hands.

Entertainment

Adekunle Gold, Simi Welcome Twin Babies

Published

6 days ago

January 9, 2026

The Tide

Popular Nigerian music stars, Adekunle Kosoko, widely known as Adekunle Gold, and his wife, Simi, have become parents again this time to twins.

The award-winning singer shared the joyful update on his Snapchat story on Wednesday, confirming the expansion of their family.

“Asked God for another child and he blessed me double,” she wrote.

While the couple has not yet disclosed the gender of the newborns, the announcement has sparked an outpouring of warm wishes from admirers, fellow celebrities, and industry colleagues.

Speculation had intensified in December when Simi posted a video on Instagram accompanied by the caption, “From my baby, for my babies.”

The clip showed her with a growing baby bump, fueling anticipation that another child was on the way.

Their latest blessings arrive just weeks after Simi highlighted a scene from Adekunle Gold’s newly released music video, “My Love is the Same,” further stirring excitement among fans.

The Tide Entertainment reports that Adekunle Gold and Simi who tied the knot in 2019 after a long history of friendship and musical synergy remain one of Nigeria’s most admired entertainment power couples. Both artistes were once signed to X3M Music before soaring into mainstream acclaim.

The pair welcomed their first child, Adejare Kosoko, fondly called Deja, in May 2020.

Entertainment

Jesse Flames Opens 2026 With ‘Praise The Lord’ Featuring Magnito

Published

6 days ago

January 9, 2026

The Tide

After closing out 2025 with the release of “Praise the Lord” featuring Magnito, Jesse Flames enters the new year with renewed clarity and purpose, continuing to build a body of work rooted in intention rather than noise. In a moment where Afrobeats is moving faster and louder than ever, his approach remains measured and deliberate, prioritizing meaning, craft, and longevity over momentary attention. The official music video arrives January 10.

Following the momentum of his breakout single “FLEX,” “Praise the Lord” represents a shift from celebration to grounding. Reflective and soulful, the record centers gratitude, growth, and perspective, capturing a quieter confidence that resonates beyond a single moment.

“This song is about recognizing the full picture,” Jesse shares. “The work people see and the work they don’t. The lessons, the setbacks, the growth.”

The collaboration with Magnito, a respected voice in Nigerian hip hop known for his sharp lyricism and cultural authenticity, adds depth and weight to the record, reinforcing its themes of resilience, faith, and self reflection.

Released in December at the height of Detty December, “Praise the Lord” became a natural soundtrack for both celebration and reflection as the year came to a close. With the video arriving in January, the record takes on new meaning, opening the year as a tone setter rather than a reset.

Born in the United States, raised in Festac, Lagos, and now based in London, Jesse Flames brings a global perspective to his sound, blending Afrobeats, hip hop, and melodic soul into something sleek and intentional. His music reflects lived experience and cultural nuance rather than trend chasing.

The Tide Entertainment reports that with over 11 million streams, performances at O2 Brixton Academy and OVO Arena Wembley, and coverage from The Guardian and Business Post Nigeria, Jesse’s rise has been steady and self made. Looking ahead to 2026 and 2027, he is preparing for collaborations with Ice Prince, M.I Abaga, and Smurlee.

“Praise the Lord” ft. Magnito is available now on all streaming platforms.