Funke Akindele’s comedy film “Everybody Loves Jenifa” has shattered Nigerian box office records by earning ₦511 million within just 12 days of its release.

FilmOne, the film’s distributor, revealed that this remarkable achievement makes it both the highest-grossing Nollywood film of 2024. It is also the fastest Nigerian movie to reach the ₦500 million milestone.

“History Made! Everybody Loves Jenifa smashes records with ₦511M at the box office, becoming 2024’s highest-grossing Nollywood title and the fastest to hit ₦500M in just 12 days! Don’t stop! Let’s smash the record books. Watch Everybody Loves Jenifa in cinemas near you,” the post said.

 

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“Everybody Loves Jenifa” achieved unprecedented success by generating ₦206 million during its opening weekend. It established a new record for the highest-grossing opening weekend in Nollywood history.

The film demonstrated its immediate appeal by earning ₦87.8 million on its first day. This set another record for the highest single-day earnings in Nigerian cinema.

Funke Akindele masterfully reprised her beloved Jenifa character, delivering a performance that perfectly captured the character’s signature humour and charm.

The narrative follows Jenifa through an engaging storyline filled with personal growth, fame-related challenges, and comedic situations that resonated deeply with audiences across Nigerian theatres.

Akindele’s marketing strategy proved exceptionally effective. Moreso, she implemented comprehensive social media campaigns and made strategic appearances at various cinemas to connect with viewers.

Her promotional efforts transformed the film’s release into a cultural phenomenon that extended beyond traditional movie-watching.

The film features an impressive ensemble cast including Falz, Omotunde ‘Lolo’ Adebowale-David, Olayode Juliana, Chimezie Imo, Layi Wasabi, Bisola Aiyeola, Jackie Appiah, and Omowunmi Dada.

These actors collectively bring depth to this comedy-drama that successfully weaves together humorous moments, emotional depth, and surprising plot developments.

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Comedian and filmmaker AY Makun has weighed in on the controversy surrounding the alleged decision by Netflix to pause funding for Nigerian original films.

The debate began when filmmaker Kunle Afolayan revealed that Netflix had stopped commissioning Nigerian content. This sparked concerns about the platform’s commitment to the Nigerian market.

During a recent interview with Nollywood on Radio, Makun addressed the issue. He clarified that Netflix is not pulling out of Nigeria.

Instead, he explained that the platform is likely reassessing its approach due to ongoing financial challenges. He emphasised that this does not signal a loss of interest in Nigerian content.

“I recently had a meeting with Netflix, and at no point did they say they were leaving this region,” Makun explained. “During that meeting, we discussed my next project and how they could be involved. I don’t believe they’re leaving Nigeria.”

Makun highlighted that Netflix’s challenges in Nigeria are mainly rooted in financial constraints.

“If you’re running a business in a region and you’re spending much more than you’re earning, you’d need to reconsider your approach. That’s what they’re doing,” he stated.

The comedian explained that Netflix has invested heavily in Nigeria, far surpassing the revenue it has generated in the region.

He emphasised that the platform’s struggles stem largely from the low number of subscriptions and the widespread habit of account sharing, forcing Netflix to reconsider its business model.

“For instance, despite Nigeria’s population of over 200 million people, Netflix has only around 300,000 subscriptions, which indicates a problem that needs fixing,” Makun observed.

Furthermore, he elaborated that a significant number of Nigerians access Netflix by using shared accounts instead of purchasing individual subscriptions. This contributes to the platform’s revenue challenges.

“People often share one subscription with several others, and that’s part of the issue. It’s not just about the filmmakers,” Makun concluded.

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Renowned Nollywood filmmaker and actress Toyin Abraham Ajeyemi has unveiled the official trailer for her highly anticipated December film, “Alakada: Bad and Boujee.”

Leveraging her substantial social media platform, Ajeyemi strategically announced the trailer’s release through her Instagram account.

“From the glamour of social media to real life’s grit! Alakada is about to take the wildest ride of her life!

“Buckle up for the most unpredictable action-comedy of the year!” the post said.

 

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Toyin Abraham Ajeyemi continues her successful “Alakada” franchise with the upcoming release “Alakada: Bad and Boujee.” Further, this marks the fifth instalment in a series that has captivated Nigerian audiences since its 2009 debut.

Moreover, the franchise has consistently evolved. Previous iterations were in 2013 (“Alakada 2“), 2017 (“Alakada Reloaded“), and 2020 (“Fate of Alakada: The Party Planner“).

Throughout the series, Abraham portrays Yetunde, a young woman from a modest background who compensates for her socioeconomic insecurities by fabricating elaborate stories about her financial and social status.

Additionally, this narrative thread has been a consistent hallmark of the franchise. The movie resonates with audiences through its nuanced exploration of social dynamics.

Directed by Adebayo Tijani, the new film features a stellar ensemble cast including Abraham herself, alongside prominent actors Bukunmi Adeaga-Ilori, Odunlade Adekola, and Bimbo Ademoye.

Furthermore, the production leverages the collective star power of these performers to enhance the film’s appeal.

Abraham’s cinematic journey began in 2003 when she first shared the screen with veteran actress Bukky Wright. Subsequently, she has established herself as a multifaceted talent.

She not only acted in but also directed numerous Nigerian films, including “Ijakumo: The Born Again Stripper,” “The Ghost and the Tout,” and “Prophetess.”

Her exceptional talent has been consistently recognised in the industry. Notably, she was nominated for the African Movie Academy Awards’ Best Supporting Actress for “Esohe” in 2018.

Furthermore, she secured the Best Actress in a Drama award at the Africa Magic Viewers Choice Awards for “Elevator Baby” in 2020 and received a Best Supporting Actress nomination at the Best of Nollywood Awards for “Ebimi ni” in 2013.

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