Funke Akindele Shatters African Records as Her New Movie ‘Behind-the-Scenes’ Hits Historic ₦2bn Mark
- Behind The Scenes has grossed over ₦2.1 billion, making it the highest-grossing Nollywood film of all time across Africa
- This achievement marked the third consecutive year that a Funke Akindele production has claimed the number-one spot at the box office
- Funke’s colleague and rival, Toyin Abraham, also shared her own victory as her film Oversabi Aunty hit a career-best ₦863 million
- An entertainment fan who does not want his name published called the achievement a seismic moment for Nollywood
Nollywood icon Funke Akindele has become the highest-grossing filmmaker in Africa after her latest movie, Behind The Scenes, crossed the unprecedented ₦2 billion mark at the box office.
The historic moment was confirmed by film analytics platform Filmoneng and later celebrated by Akindele herself on Instagram on Sunday, January 12, 2025.
Source: Instagram
With this feat, Behind The Scenes becomes the first Nollywood film to gross over ₦2 billion across cinemas in Africa
In a post accompanied by a celebratory dance, the filmmaker thanked fans for powering what has now become a continental accomplishment.
“Joy overflow! Our heart is full of gratitude to God and to you, my amazing fans who have truly become family,” she wrote.
She added that the milestone was a testament to collective support and the unrelenting belief the audience has shown in her brand.
A week earlier, reports showed that the movie had reached ₦1.7 billion, signalling its fast-moving commercial momentum. However, surpassing ₦2.1 billion in cinemas pushes Akindele into a league no other African filmmaker has entered.
The accomplishment also makes Akindele the first filmmaker to hold the number-one spot at the African box office for three consecutive years.
Just hours after Akindele’s announcement dominated conversations, actress Toyin Abraham shared exciting news of her own.
Her film, Oversabi Aunty, has grossed ₦863 million, her highest-grossing project so far.
Abraham expressed joy and gratitude for the achievement, noting that it was a major career milestone.
The actress described the success as a breakthrough moment for her brand, calling it her most commercially successful film ever.
Read Funke Akindele's post here:
Read Toyin Abraham's post here:
Fans, colleagues congratulate Funke Akindele
Legit.ng compiled the reactions of social media users below:
@mo_bimpe congratulated her
"Yaaayyyyyy ! This is hugeeee ! Big congratulations my mama ! Wow ! Oluwa seun"
@el_rahman911 stated:
"We just Dey warm up!! Let’s take it to 3Billion okayyy my fans ? Ouncho lapa ibi oooo"
@mz_wealth03 shared:
"The undisputed Queen of Box office 🙌🙌🙌. The highest-grossing filmmaker in the whole of African 👏. Congratulations Mama!!!! "
@delishcuisineng stated:
"@funkejenifaakindele carries a special grace in the film industry that needs to be studied, I was telling someone that she didn't even publicise the movie the way she did with her previous ones and yet see billions rolling in. Weldone @funkejenifaakindele"
Source: Instagram
Funke Akindele has broken another ceiling - Fan
An entertainment fan who does not want his name published called the achievement a seismic moment for Nollywood.
He stated:
"Her achievement feels like a seismic moment for Nollywood. Funke Akindele has not only raised the bar, but she has also redefined what African cinema can accomplish globally. Watching a Nigerian filmmaker break the ₦2 billion ceiling and dominate the box office three years in a row is nothing short of inspirational."
Funke Akindele questions Eniola Badmus' lifestyle
Legit.ng earlier reported that actress Eniola Badmus has spoken up after a playful remark from Funke Akindele went viral online.
The exchange, captured in a short clip making the rounds, showed Funke teasing her longtime friend about allegedly dipping into government funds to afford her expensive accessories.
The joke instantly became a talking point because of Badmus’ political appointment as the Special Assistant on Social Events and Public Hearing to the Speaker of the House of Representatives, Tajudeen Abbas.
Proofreading by James Ojo, copy editor at Legit.ng.
Source: Legit.ng
