Entertainment
AY Emerges Richest Nigerian Film Producer
Nigerian comedian Ayo Makun popularly known as ‘AY’ has emerged as the richest Nigerian film producer with four movies in top 10 highest grossing Nollywood movies. It is on record that Nollywood produces thousands of movies year with most of these movies yielding very low returns.
However, in the midst of these low yielding movies which comfortably rank above the 100 million naira high grossing mark and these movies make up our list of top 10 highest grossing movies in Nollywood.
Nollywood stands out as the largest movie industry in the world in terms of production rate, however, it is ranked third on the money and due to the huge disparity between the top quality (high grossing) movies and the relatively (low grossing) ones which by a long stretch dominate Nollywood.
The Top 10 Highest Grossing Nollywood
These movies have been ranked (from lowest to highest) based on generated revenue from online streaming, DVD/CD sales and cinema views among others.
Fifty: This is a Nollywood classic produced and released in 2015 and ranks 10th on the list. Since 2015, it has grossed close to 95 million naira and the only movie on the list with less than 100 million naira gross revenue produced and directed by Mo’Abudu and Bamidele Biyi respectively. Among the casts are Omoni Oboli, Ireti Doyle, Dakore Egbuson – Akande, Nse Ikpe Etim and Wale Ojo among others.
It is distributed by film one and released to the cinemas across the country on December 18, 2015.
30 Days In Atlanta: This movie was produced and released in 2014 and has gross approximately 138 million naira on Nollywood box office revenue chart. The romance – comedy movie was produced by Ay, it became the highest grossing movie in Nollywood, and parades the following costs: Ramsey Nouah, AY, Richard Mofe Damijo (RMD), Desmond Elliot, Omoni Oboli, Juliet Ibrahim and Majid Michel. It was shot in Lagos, Nigeria and Atlanta, United States of America (USA) .
10 Days In Suncity: Another ingenuous production by AY released on June 17, 2017. Since then, it has generated close to 177 million naira in revenue shot in Suncity South Africa and Lagos, Nigeria. Its casts are: AY (lead character), Adesua Etomi RMD, Falz Falana, Mercy Johnson, 2 Face Idibia Gerno Ajhibadi, Fathia Balogun and Alexx-Ekubo, among others.
A Trip To Jamaica: Another thriller from AY released in September 25, 2016 and went on to displace 30 days in Atlanta as the highest grossing movie, it was later displaced by the wedding party that same year just after one month of dominance.
A trip to Jamaica has so far grossed approximately 180 million naira in revenue. The casts include: AY, Funke Akindele, Eric Roberts Nse Ikpe Etim, Chris Attob, Olamide, Pat Ranking etc.
Merry Men: The real Yoruba demons: This is AY’s 2018 production and arguably the best and highest grossing movie released last year with a gross earning of 230 million naira in revenue. The four main cast in the movie are Ayo Makun (Ayo) Folarin Falana (Falz) as ‘Remi’ Martins’ Jim Iyke (as Naz) and Ramsy Nouah. Others are Richard Mofe Damijo (RMD).
Ireti Doyle, Lilian Esoro, Damilola Adegbite Jide Kosoko etc.
King Of Boys: A though provoking political thriller, written directed and co-produced by Kemi Adetiba, released on October 2018 and has so far grossed in excess of 231 million naira. The cast include Sola Sobowale (Alhaja Salami) the lead character, Adesua Etomi (as Kemi Salami), Jide Kosoko (Alhaji Salami) etc.
Chief Daddy: The highest grossing movie in 2018 with a current domestic gross of 386 million naira, produced and directed by Mo’Abudu cast: Zainab Balogun, Falz, Linda Ejifor, Patience Ozokwor, Funke Akindele etc.
The Wedding Party: Directed by Kemi Adetiba with current domestic gross of 453 million naira the prominent cast of the movie are Adesua Etomi, lead actress and Bankole Wellington (Banky W) lead actor, Sola Sobowale, Ali Baba, RMD, Daniella Down, Zainab Balogun, Beverly Naya, and Ikechuwu.
The Wedding Party 2: First Nollywood movie to reach the 500 million naira mark. It is the highest grossing movie in Nollywood, it has the same cast as the wedding party !. it stands head and shoulders above other Nollywood movies.
Lion Heart: The Lion Heart is the first and only Nollywood movie to hit the billion nair mark after the $300,000 + (over one billion naira acquisition by Netflix).
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.
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.
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.