Nollywood powerhouse Funke Akindele has cemented her status as a continental cinematic force, achieving an unprecedented milestone that has sent waves across Africa's film industry. Her latest movie, 'Behind The Scenes,' has officially grossed over ₦2.1 billion at the box office, making it the highest-grossing Nollywood film of all time across the African continent.
A Historic Milestone for African Cinema
The monumental achievement was confirmed by the respected film analytics platform, Filmoneng. Akindele herself took to her Instagram on Sunday, January 12, 2025, to celebrate the historic feat with a joyful dance video, thanking the fans who propelled her to this record. This marks the first time any Nollywood production has crossed the elusive ₦2 billion mark in cinemas Africa-wide.
In her emotional post, the filmmaker expressed overflowing gratitude. "Joy overflow! Our heart is full of gratitude to God and to you, my amazing fans who have truly become family," she wrote. She emphasized that the record-breaking success was a direct result of collective audience support and an unwavering belief in her creative brand.
Dominating the Box Office for Three Consecutive Years
This victory is not an isolated event but part of a remarkable winning streak. This achievement marks the third consecutive year that a Funke Akindele production has claimed the number-one spot at the African box office, a feat no other filmmaker on the continent has accomplished. Just a week prior to the ₦2.1 billion announcement, reports indicated the film had already amassed ₦1.7 billion, showcasing its explosive and sustained commercial momentum.
The success of 'Behind The Scenes' pushes Akindele into a stratospheric league of her own, redefining the financial possibilities for African cinema and setting a new benchmark for producers and directors across Nollywood and beyond.
Celebrations All Around: Toyin Abraham Shares Her Own Win
In a delightful twist for Nollywood, the news of Akindele's record was closely followed by a celebration from her colleague and often-mentioned rival, Toyin Abraham. Abraham shared her own exciting career milestone, announcing that her film 'Oversabi Aunty' has grossed a personal best of ₦863 million.
Abraham expressed profound joy and gratitude, describing the film's performance as a major career breakthrough and her most commercially successful project to date. This dual celebration highlights a vibrant period for top-tier Nollywood productions, demonstrating the growing appetite and financial viability of high-quality African stories.
Fans and colleagues flooded social media with congratulations for Akindele. One user, @delishcuisineng, noted her unique grace, stating, "she carries a special grace in the film industry that needs to be studied... she didn't even publicise the movie the way she did with her previous ones and yet see billions rolling in." Another, @mz_wealth03, hailed her as "The undisputed Queen of Box office... The highest-grossing filmmaker in the whole of Africa."
This historic moment for Funke Akindele transcends personal triumph; it signifies a pivotal chapter for the entire African film industry, proving that local stories have the power to achieve extraordinary commercial success and captivate audiences on a continental scale.
