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).
R&B star, Temilade Openiyi, popularly known as Tems, has recounted the early-career challenges she faced, revealing that she was once booed out of the stage while performing at a school event.
Speaking in an interview with Newsmen, the Crazy Tings crooner shared that she wasn’t only booed but was also harassed with plastic bottles.
“I remember one time I was going to perform at my school as an up-and-coming singer and I thought I was going to receiving a standing ovation.
“But I got booed. They even threw plastic bottles at me,” she recalled.
Tems explained that despite the embarrassing incident and other such rejections, she remained determined to pursue a career in music.
The Tide Entertainment reports that Tems admitted that some of the initial rejections she faced could be due to her conviction to stick to her originality instead of doing covers or familiar sounds like most of her peers.
The Grammy-winning singer said looking back now, she is glad that she didn’t compromise her style despite the initial pressures.
A close associate of late singer Mohbad, Primeboy, has appealed for the artiste’s burial nearly three years after his death.
According to him, Mohbad’s body remains in the mortuary since September 12, 2023, pending burial arrangements.
The Tide Entertainment reports that in a statement Primeboy urged the family, public, and government to permit the burial, stating, “It’s been almost three years since Mohbad left us. His body is still in the mortuary. I’m begging the family, I’m begging the public, I’m begging the government, please let’s bury our brother. He deserves a befitting burial.”
It would be recalled that Mohbad’s death sparked public outrage, protests, and investigations. Ongoing autopsy examinations, police inquiries, and legal proceedings have delayed burial arrangements amid family disagreements and public scrutiny.
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