NFVCB hails Nollywood box office queens as Akindele, Abraham’s films gross ₦3.4bn
Maureen Aguta
By any measure, it is a landmark season for Nollywood — and two of its most bankable women are at the centre of it.
The National Film and Video Censors Board (NFVCB) has formally celebrated record-breaking box office milestones by filmmakers Funke Akindele and Toyin Abraham, describing their latest cinematic feats as powerful signals of the industry’s commercial maturity, creative confidence and global promise.
In a statement issued by its Executive Director and Chief Executive Officer, Dr. Shaibu Husseini, the Board congratulated Funke Akindele on the extraordinary performance of her latest film, Behind The Scene (BTS), which has reportedly crossed ₦2.4 billion at the Nigerian box office and continues to enjoy strong cinema exhibition nationwide.
The NFVCB described the figure as more than a commercial win, calling it another watershed moment in the evolution of Nigerian cinema and further confirmation of Akindele’s unrivalled box office consistency.
Four Years, Four Records
According to the Board, Akindele has now delivered record-shattering cinema performances for four consecutive years — an achievement that places her in a league of her own within the Nigerian film ecosystem.
“This level of consistency reflects not only creative excellence, but also a deep understanding of audience engagement and the evolving dynamics of film production, distribution and exhibition in Nigeria,” the statement said.
Industry observers note that Akindele’s sustained dominance comes at a time when Nigerian cinemas are grappling with inflationary pressures, reduced discretionary spending and rising production costs — making the BTS milestone particularly significant.
The NFVCB, Nigeria’s statutory regulator for film content, distribution and exhibition, reaffirmed its commitment to recognising filmmakers whose work contributes meaningfully to the growth, visibility and commercial sustainability of the audiovisual industry.
In recognition of Akindele’s exceptional run, the Board disclosed plans to formally honour her with a Box Office Queen Award covering the years 2023, 2024 and 2025.
Dr. Husseini revealed that the presentation, initially scheduled to take place at the PAO Digital Conference, was postponed at the filmmaker’s request due to her tight schedule.
The Board now plans to present the awards at a later date, with the Honourable Minister of Arts, Culture, Tourism and Creative Economy, Barrister Hannatu Musa Musawa, expected to lead the ceremony alongside other senior female executives.
“The Honourable Minister is excited about the development,” the NFVCB boss said, underscoring the government’s growing interest in Nollywood’s economic and cultural impact.
Toyin Abraham’s Billion-Naira Directorial Debut
In a related development, the NFVCB also commended actress and filmmaker Toyin Abraham for the box office success of her directorial debut, Oversabi Auntie, which has grossed over ₦1 billion in cinemas across the country.
The Board described the achievement as historic, noting that the film now ranks among the four highest-grossing Nollywood films of all time — a rare feat for a first-time director.
Beyond the numbers, the NFVCB said the success of Oversabi Auntie highlights Abraham’s versatility and her growing creative influence within the industry, while also signalling expanding opportunities for filmmakers willing to take bold creative risks.
“The performance of Oversabi Auntie marks a successful and impressive entry by Ms. Abraham into film directing,” the statement said, adding that the film’s reception reflects a changing audience appetite and a renewed confidence in locally driven stories.
A Signal of Industry Momentum
Congratulating both filmmakers, Dr. Husseini described their achievements as strong indicators of Nollywood’s resilience and upward trajectory, despite persistent structural and economic challenges.
“We at the NFVCB congratulate both filmmakers on their respective milestones. We consider their achievements as strong indicators of the industry’s continued growth, resilience and global promise,” he said.
With combined box office earnings exceeding ₦3.4 billion, Akindele and Abraham’s latest successes underscore the increasing commercial power of female-led productions in Nollywood — and reinforce the industry’s position as one of Nigeria’s most dynamic creative and economic sectors.