Entertainment
Producers Who Changed Nollywood
The past three years has witnessed a big leap in movie production in Nollywood. The industry has in this period witnessed the rise of didactic story lines modern directing and production of movies that match up with the second rated movie industry in the world called Bollywood.
With the crop of few seasoned producers such as Teco Benson and Emem Isong who launched the big screen movies with ‘Mission to Nowhere’ and smithy Pleasures respectively, Desmond Elliot, Uche Jumbo, Kunle Afolayan, Stephanie Okoreke, Lilian Amah Aluko, Vivian Ejike efc followed suit and have presented films that defeat the hitherto all low quality movies.
This report focuses on the achievements of these actors and actresses in changing the industry for better, and moving it to the next level.
Uche Jumbo: This popular screen goddess and Glo ambassador has scripted series of block buster movies such as ‘game men play’ before venturing into movie production late last year. She produced the high quality picture movie titled ‘Hollywood Hustlers’ which extrayed controversial story of life in Nollywood with state of the arts equipment that gave the movie that standard which Bollywood has used as an edge over the Nigerian movie industry.
Desmond Elliot: Star actor Desmond Elliot is a household name in Nollywood. He produced “Shit on the Kak’ which went home with an award. Early last year, he made ‘Before the Light’ a movie that saw the light of the day in 35mm format and was premiered in TV’s GAMA Film executive theatre. From last year till date, Desmond has co-produced three movies with Emem Isong one of such movies is ‘Guilty Pleasures’ which was equally premiered in Ghana. Aside turning a superlative movie producer, Desmond equally directs his movies.
Stephanie Okereke: This top actress, producer cum director had the world in mind while making war movie ‘Through the Glass’ with which she placed Nollywood on the same level with Hollywood. The movie was produced in Hollywood with rated equipment ‘Through the Glass’ was rated as one of the highest budgeted movies that Nollywood has ever made. Through this movie, Stephanie towed the line of contributing her quota in taking the industry to the next level by skyrocketing the name Nollywood to Hollywood.
Kunle Afolayan: Top actor turned producer hit the industry with ‘Irapada’ a movie he produced in 35mm format, he also dazzled movie buffs with ‘The Figurine’ also produced in 35mm format on the premiere of this movie on Silverbird gallerie, Kunle projected Nollywood as an industry where movies should possess word standard story lines and high picture quality.
Lilian Amah Aluko: She is not new in the art of movie making as she has produced lots of soap operas that are gracing the screens of local television stations. She also produced a movie titled ‘Jungle Ride’ which tells the story of what Nigerian youths pass through as a result of unemployment. Premiered at the Silverbird galleria, the movie is produced in 35mm format, with high picture quality and standardised production cum directing techniques.
Vivian Ejike: She has been a movie producer for many years. In December last year, she premiered her movie titled ‘Silent Scandal’ which has been rated among the high quality picture movies. Apart from the twisted and suspense filled story line, the movie was done with state of the arts equipment which rates at par with the 35mm format and premiered at Silverbird Cinemas.
Jeta Amata: This vibrant actor, producer and director will stand tall as one of those who pointed the way to the best practice in movie making with his production of the wave making picture ‘Amazing Grace’ which grabbed attention not only in Nigeria but also internationally.
Kingsley Ogoro: Years after masters like Hubert Ogunde, Eddie Ugboma etc did their stuff; it was Kingsley who took the initiative of doing movies in celluloid format in this generation through his flick, “The Return’. Although the movie was not a commercial success, it opened the vista for the return to making films in the big picture format.
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.