NFVCB honours Toyin Abraham-Ajeyemi as box office queens after ₦1.6bn cinema milestone
By Maureen Aguta
The National Film and Video Censors Board (NFVCB) has conferred its prestigious Box Office Champion Award on Nollywood star Toyin Abraham-Ajeyemi, following the record-shattering performance of her film Oversabi Aunty in Nigerian cinemas.
At a ceremony held in Lagos, the Executive Director of the NFVCB, Shaibu Husseini, described the honour as a recognition of both individual excellence and the broader evolution of Nigeria’s film industry.
“This is a celebration of creativity, resilience, and the remarkable strides Nollywood continues to make,” Husseini said.
He also conveyed the goodwill of the Minister of Arts, Culture, Tourism and Creative Economy, Hannatu Musa Musawa, who was absent due to an official engagement in the United Kingdom.
The NFVCB boss highlighted the commercial success of Oversabi Aunty, which has grossed over ₦1 billion at the domestic box office—one of the strongest performances by a Nigerian title in recent years. Industry figures cited at the event put total earnings at about ₦1.6 billion, underlining what stakeholders describe as a new phase of box office maturity for Nollywood.
“This accomplishment is not only a personal triumph but a testament to Nollywood’s growing global potential,” Husseini added, noting that the Board remains committed to fostering a regulatory environment that supports industry growth and economic contribution.
In a goodwill message, the President of the Actors Guild of Nigeria, Sanusi Abubakar Yakubu, framed the recognition as a turning point for the industry.
“Her achievement signals a shift towards a commercially driven, globally competitive Nigerian film industry,” he said. “Nigerian stories are no longer waiting for validation—they are commanding attention.”
Also speaking, Temitope Ogunwusi, who served as Mother of the Day, commended the film’s social messaging, noting its emphasis on parenting and the importance of stronger family bonds.
In her remarks, Abraham-Ajeyemi expressed gratitude to the NFVCB and industry stakeholders, describing the recognition as a defining milestone in her career.
The event attracted a cross-section of industry players, reinforcing the growing status of cinema as both a cultural force and a significant contributor to Nigeria’s creative economy.