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King Of Boys, 7 Other Great Nigerian Movies Directed, Produced By Women

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Nigerian women in the Nollywood industry have continued to look for new ways to strive in the male-dominated system, regardless of the existing patriarchy.

The industry has continually seen female actors become more assertive in their career pursuits. Over the last decade, six to ten of the Nollywood supernovas were either produced or directed by women.

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Here are the works by women that have made visible strides in the growth of Nigerian cinema.

Battle on Buka Street

Battle on Buka Street is a 2022 Nigerian comedy-drama produced and directed by the ace Nollywood actress Funke Akindele.

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Data from the Cinema Exhibitors Association of Nigeria (CEAN) shows that Funke Akindele’s comedy movie earned over US$1 million (an equivalent of N459,000,000 as of the time we checked” after spending only nine weeks in theatres. And was pronounced the highest-grossing Nollywood movie of all time.

The movie starred Funke Akindele, Mercy Johnson, Nkem Owoh, and Sola Sobowale.

READ ALSO: Nollywood Actress Reveals Shocking Information About Her Estranged Fiancé

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The story revolves around the rivalry between two women who confront each other in a food challenge to win the prestigious ‘King of Buka Street’, a title conferred to the best local food seller in the region.

Chief Daddy

Chief Daddy is a 2018 Nigerian comedy-drama produced by the renowned Nigerian media mogul Mosunmola Abudu with her daughter Temidayo Abudu.

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The film starred famous Nollywood actors and actresses such as Funke Akindele, Kate Henshaw, Nkem Owoh, Joke Silva, Patience Ozokwor, and Richard Mofe Damijo.

Within three days, Chief Daddy sold over N40 million movie tickets and a total of N115.7 million in the first ten days of release.

The comic movie tells the story of billionaire industrialist Chief Beecroft, a flamboyant benefactor to a large extended family of relatives, household staff, and assorted mistresses.

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Fifty

Fifty is a 2015 Nigerian romantic drama film produced by media veteran Mo Abudu. The movie illustrates the complexities of Nigerian (African) women.

Fifity follows the story of four successful Nigerian women as they navigate the pinnacle of their careers. It connects the lives of four middle-aged women with a focus on their love, relationships, faith, and womanhood.

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The movie starred Ireti Doyle, Nse Ikpe-Etim, Dakore Akande, Omoni Oboli, Wale Ojo, and Timini Egbuson.

Fifty was the most successful film at the Nigerian box office in 2015 and has spawned a television series due to air on EbonyLife TV in 2017.

READ ALSO: Funke Akindele’s ‘Battle On Buka Street’ Sets Nollywood Record With N135m In One Day

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In 2015, Fifty was the only Nigerian film, and one of only five African films from a global selection of 238 movies to be screened at the 59th BFI London Film Festival.

The Wedding Party

The Wedding Party was the highest-grossing Nigerian film in 2016 and led the track with the release of its sequel in 2017.

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The Nigerian romantic comedy-drama was directed by the celebrated Kemi Adetiba and produced by the brilliant Zulumoke Onuekwusi. The film’s popularity was fuelled by Banky W and Adesua Etomi’s engagement announcement, which coincided with its release.

The Wedding Party tells the story of a couple’s lavish wedding plans that gradually unfold into a nightmare as exes come into the picture, fights from parents on both ends, and uninvited guests make themselves comfortable.

King of Boys

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King of Boys is a 2018 crime and political thriller produced and directed by Kemi Adetiba. It is the second movie directed by Kemi Adetiba following the release of The Wedding Party.

The film grossed ₦ 200 million after 7 weeks in cinemas and ₦245 million overall. King of Boys debuted the country’s indigenous rappers, Ill Bliss and Reminisce.

Three years after its sequel, The Return of the King was released exclusively on Netflix as an original limited series.

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KOB follows the story of a businesswoman and philanthropist with a checkered past and a promising political future. She is a pillar of society; loved by many, feared by most, and indeed known by a select few.

Lionheart

Lionheart is the first Nigerian Netflix original film. Produced in 2018 by Chinny Onwugbenu and directed by the much loved Genevieve Nnaji.

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The Nigerian family drama tells the story of a fearless daughter who wants to substitute for her father, who can no longer run his company due to health issues.

The daughter then works with her father’s younger brother, who came to assist his young niece, as they align forces to save the company from debt as well as a threatened takeover by a businessman.

Lionheart premiered at the 2018 Toronto International Film Festival in Canada. It was selected as the Nigerian entry for the Best International Feature Film at the 92nd Academy Awards.

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It later got disqualified because the film had majority of its dialogue in English. However, Genevieve’s Lionheart was the first Nigerian film to be submitted to the Oscars.

Ijakumo

Ijakumo is a 2022 suspense thriller produced by Toyin Abraham. The film stars an ensemble cast, including Toyin Abraham, Kunle Remi, Bimbo Akintola, and Olumide Oworu.

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The thriller title grossed N30.44 million in its first 3 days at the Box office and made N88.28 million in 7 days. And by one month, it had grossed a total of N221 million.

Ijakumo tells the story of Asabi, the daughter of a powerful spiritualist who is hell-bent on destroying the life of her ex-lover, a now-renowned prominent pastor in Lagos, Jide, who cheated her and left her to die.

READ ALSO: Tonto Dikeh Quits Nollywood, Gives Reason

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The pastor belongs to a sort of cabal that commits all kinds of atrocities. As the story unfolds, the pastor falls into a trap set by Asabi that leads him to his doom.

Brotherhood

Brotherhood is a Nigerian crime-action thriller produced by the talented Jade Osiberu. The movie starred the veteran Nollywood actor Sam Dede, with Zuby Michael, Tobi Bakre, Falz, and more.

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The film premiered with N53.23 million. ‘Brotherhood’ made N118.50 million in the second week, N177.67 million in the third week, and crossed the N200 million bar by the fourth week.

Brotherhood tells the story of twin brothers who fell on opposite sides of the law, with one joining the police force and the other joining a notorious gang of robbers.

The bonds of brotherhood are put to the ultimate test as one enters a taskforce to become the nightmare of the former.

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Regina Daniels And Angela Okorie’s Cold War Deepens

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The silent cold war between two Nollywood divas, Angela Okorie and Regina Daniels, finally came to the fore days back, but what shocked many was the sheer bluntness with which Okorie aired her grievances.

For months, rumblings of tension between the actresses had circulated in close Nollywood circles. But on Instagram this week, Okorie finally made her feelings public, firing off a volley of pointed words at her younger colleague, Regina Daniels.

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It all began when Regina posted what many initially saw as a subtle, dignified note urging Angela to forgive and move on from old grievances. But those close to the drama knew the post wasn’t as innocent as it seemed. In the message, Regina made a pointed reference to Angela’s child — “wey gidigba” — a choice of words Angela found deeply patronising.

And then the gloves came off.

Angela, not one to mince words, took to her Instagram Stories in a fiery tirade that quickly went viral. “You feel because you married a grandpa you can talk to me?” she blasted, referring to Regina’s high-profile marriage to billionaire Senator Ned Nwoko. “Marrying an older man does not give you the licence to disrespect your elders,” Angela added.

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READ ALSO: Nollywood Is A Danger Zone For Young Girls – Regina Daniel Reveals

The Nollywood community was left stunned, not only by the sharpness of Angela’s words but also by the underlying history she unveiled. In another post, she reminded Regina of humbler days, when the young actress reportedly visited Angela’s home with deference.

You are like a child to me… you used to come to my house with so much respect,” Angela wrote, a subtle reminder of a former mentorship or camaraderie between them.

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The older actress didn’t stop there. In her posts, she openly questioned Regina’s upbringing and sense of propriety: “Me I just think say every young girl wey go school suppose get sense, especially a child with proper home training.”

But despite her anger, Angela was careful to draw a boundary regarding Regina’s powerful husband.

READ ALSO: ‘My Eyes Dey Your Body’: Drama As Portable Professes Love For Regina Daniels

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No disrespect to your husband,” she wrote, before adding another sting: “You just won’t stop embarrassing Nigerians from time to time with you and your old man.”

In one of the sharpest moments of her tirade, Angela issued a direct and final warning to her younger colleague: “If you insult me again, I will remind you what you have forgotten. Last warning, Regina Daniels.”

Within Nollywood’s closely watched social media circles, Angela’s outburst has triggered a wave of speculation. Was this an isolated reaction or the surfacing of long-simmering resentment? Industry insiders suggest this may not be the end of the spat.

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As of the time of filing this report, Regina Daniels has remained silent, with no official response to Angela’s public lashing.

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MC Oluomo: ‘I’m Going To Court’, Aisha Blows Hot On Venza Gift Allegation

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Nollywood actress, Aisha Lawal, has denied claims that she received a Toyota Venza from National Union of Road Transport Workers (NURTW) leader, Musiliyu Akinsanya, popularly known as MC Oluomo.

Describing the claim as false and defamatory, Lawal vowed to take legal action against the individual responsible for the allegations, declaring, “I’m going to court.”

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Speaking during an appearance on the Talk To B podcast, the actress addressed the viral accusation, stating that she drives a Lexus GX 460 and has never received a car gift from MC Oluomo or anyone else.

One man, an adult, I wondered if it was a setup or if he smoked weed, he sat and set a camera and said MC Oluomo collected a blue Venza from him and gave it to me. I didn’t collect any car. Why would I die mysteriously when I didn’t eat mysteriously?” she questioned.

READ ALSO: Many Men Coming After Me, Not Sure Who To Pick — Nollywood Actress, Angela Okorie

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Lawal expressed disbelief over the video, revealing she only watched it after hearing her name in a disturbing prayer.

“I didn’t watch that video until I heard the prayer where he said, ‘Aisha Lawal, I’m the owner of that blue Venza with you.’”

Firmly distancing herself from the allegations, she said, “I have suffered in the past. Put some respect on my name. I’ve never even driven a Venza. I drive a GX 460, and my shop is like the fourth or fifth building I’ve built.”

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Recounting her personal journey, Lawal explained how hard she has worked over the years and how such defamatory claims undermine her efforts.

READ ALSO: Police Re-arraign VDM Over Cyberbullying Of Nollywood Actresses, Others

“COVID era was a turning point in my life. In a week or two, I made 10 million naira. That was during my first pregnancy. Maybe the same day you went to pay for an IVF that didn’t work out, someone saw you at a filling station and asked for money. If you didn’t laugh, they’d say you’re proud.

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“Do you know what I’m going through? Someone even said, ‘You didn’t choose children, you chose money.’”

Sharing her early struggles, the actress added, “My dad acted like he didn’t give birth the first life he came. I started driving at the age of 16. They taught me so well I could even change a tyre. I drove my dad for a year. That roundabout at Adeoyo, a trailer once ran into me—I had to match brake.”

I used to take night buses from Odogwu to Aba, wearing a nose mask and face cap. People saw me then but didn’t say anything. I didn’t want to pay for a hotel, so I took night buses.

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“I even entered vehicles transporting fowls from Aba to Ibadan, sometimes to Ijebu Ode, before I started going to China.”

Determined to clear her name, Lawal emphasised, “I cannot study Law for seven years and not go all the way to court. He should get a good lawyer.”

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Netflix Hikes Subscription Fees In Nigeria Again

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Streaming giant, Netflix, has increased subscription prices in Nigeria for the third time in less than a year.

This most recent rise is the first one for 2025.

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Updates on the company’s website seen by PUNCH Online show the new pricing.

Under the new price, Netflix’s Premium plan now costs ₦8,500 a month, up from ₦7,000.

The Standard plan jumped to ₦6,500 from ₦5,500.

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The Basic plan rose to ₦4,000 from ₦3,500, and the Mobile plan is for ₦2,500, up from ₦2,200.

This follows two earlier price hikes by Netflix in April and July 2024.

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The Nigerians’ new round of economic pang
Nigeria currently faces challenges of rising living expenses, a falling naira, and record inflation.

This follows the recent hike in tariffs by Nigerian telecom providers by as much as 50 per cent.

The parent company of DStv and GOtv, MultiChoice, announced new prices that took effect on March 1, 2025.

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READ ALSO: Saudi Uses AI, Drones And Thousands Of Cameras To Keep Hajj Pilgrims Safe

MultiChoice announced that the price of the DStv Compact bouquet was increased from ₦15,700 to ₦19,000, reflecting a 25 per cent increase.

The price of the Compact Plus package increased from ₦25,000 to ₦30,000, and the premium DStv package saw a rise from ₦37,000 to ₦44,500.

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For GOtv subscribers, the Jinja package increased from ₦3,600 to ₦3,900, and Jolli from ₦4,850 to ₦5,800. The GOtv Max plan rose to ₦8,500 from ₦7,200, Supa climbed to ₦11,400 from ₦9,600, and Supa Plus increased to ₦16,800, up from ₦15,700.

Netflix has yet to release an official statement.

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