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  • These Are The Best Nollywood Movies of 2023

    Halfway through the year and we can’t deny that Nollywood has taken us through a rollercoaster of emotions with some of their offerings. In case you’re late to the party, these are some of the best Nollywood movies of 2023 that need to be on your binge list.

    Eight Months In, These Are The Best Nollywood Movies of 2023

    Best Nollywood Action Movies in 2023

    Gangs of Lagos

    If you’re looking for an original Nigerian crime and thriller flick, this is the one for you. It belongs in a collection with the likes of Saworoide, King of Boys and others with underlying social commentary. You’re in for a story about family, loyalty and leadership, packed with action. We hope the sight of blood and gang activities won’t scare you away sha?

    The Trade

    Inspired by true events, this is a tale of greed and terror set in Lagos. As the story unfolds, we witness the high-stakes game of cat and mouse between a determined law enforcement officer and a cunning kidnapper terrorising the streets. Word on the street is The Trade is inspired by real-life events in 2017. Expect intense suspense, believable Naija violence and a gripping story, as Blossom Chukwujekwu earns himself a top contender spot for best actor of 2023.

    Shanty Town

    If you loved Jade Osiberu’s Gangs of Lagos or Ebonylife’s Oloture, this six-part series will get you hooked from start to finish. Chidi Mokeme makes an epic Nollywood comeback alongside veterans like Sola Sobowale, Nse Ikpe Etim, and played Scar; a scary underworld lord. Shanty Town explores the lives of sex workers who try to escape the grip of a notorious kingpin who answers to powerful politicians.

    Orisa

    If you fell in love with Femi Adebayo’s King of Thieves (2022), this is another Yoruba epic that will have you at the edge of your seats. Orìṣà tells the story of a rogue king who loses respect for the gods and his people, and is struck with insanity. This happens at a time when a gang of highly skilled warriors form an alliance, threatening to take over his kingdom. Odunlade Adekola takes on the titular character and stars alongside Femi Adebayo, Shaffy Bello, Jide Kosoko, Dele Odule, among others.

    Jagun Jagun

    After a successful run with King of Thieves (2022), Femi Adebayo has enlisted the same directors, Adebayo Tijani and Tope Adebayo Salami, for his 2023 offering, Jagun Jagun. The Yoruba epic action tells the story of a young man who joins an elite army in his bid to become a powerful warrior and win the heart of a woman. On his quest, he attracts the wrath of a bloodthirsty warlord who feels threatened by him. Adedimeji Lateef, Bimbo Ademoye, Fathia Balogun and Mr Macaroni feature in this new epic film.

    Best Nollywood RomCom Movies in 2023

    Love in a Pandemic

    In 2020, COVID-19 kept us in our homes, but it didn’t stop some people from finding true love. Bolanle (Nancy Isime), in an attempt to apologise to her boyfriend, dialled a wrong number belonging to Alex (Deyemi Okanlawon). The call to a stranger becomes a routine, and feelings get involved, but the pandemic is in their way. If you need something to convince you that your boyfriend shouldn’t stop you from meeting your true love, Love In A Pandemic is the answer.

    Big Love

    Our resident Nollywood bad boy, Timini Egbuson, stars alongside Bimbo Ademoye in this Biodun Stephen-directed romcom. Adil (Timini) falls in love with Adina (Bimbo), an independent woman struggling to make ends meet at a graduate training camp, but a secret threatens to ruin their love. Shaffy Bello, Jaiye Kuti and Seyi Awolowo star in this film too.

    A Sunday Affair

    Dubbed the Valentine Day’s movie of 2023, A Sunday Affair stars two of Nollywood’s most iconic actresses, Nse Ikpe-Etim and Dakore Akande. The powerhouses cast as best friends, Uche and Toyin, fall in love with the same man, and it’s a downward spiral from there that makes for gripping TV. From the cheesy romance to the dramatic chaos, it has all the ingredients to make you blush.

    Sista

    This movie made me shed a few gangsta tears when I watched it. A single mum zealously fights for her two kids when their deadbeat dad tries to win them over after being absent for years. He does this using his wealth and influence to entice them instead of seeking penance and establishing a connection. Their furious mother swings into action to detach them from a man who never loved them in the first place.

    The acting performances of Kehinde Bankole, Deyemi Okanlawon and Bisola Aiyeola. were striking, and many say it’s the best Nigerian film they’ve seen in a while.

    Best Nollywood Thriller Movies in 2023

    House of Secrets

    If you’ve ever been in doubt about the cinematic revolution that’s unfolding in Nollywood right now, this film is all you need to have a change of perspective. Director Niyi Akinmolayan raised the bar in cinematography and production design such that every scene leaves you more intrigued than the last. The story follows Sarah (Najite Dede), who regains her lost memories of a traumatic incident after extreme measures by people seeking to expose a corrupt politician.

    Hotel Labamba

    Ace director, Biodun Stephen, led a stellar cast for this comedy-thriller that had me sold right from the trailer. Hotel Labamba is Nollywood’s attempt at a murder mystery, and if you’re looking to put on your investigative hat, you should totally binge this. In it, an Instagram influencer is murdered, and every guest at the hotel becomes a suspect, with the pressure on detectives to solve the case before the killer strikes again. Lateef Adedimeji, Bimbo Ademoye and Femi Adebayo among others are featured.

    Dark October

    https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gEXPp5lGpYA

    Executive-produced by media entrepreneur Linda Ikeji, Dark October opened old wounds through its near real-life portrayal of the 2012 Aluu Four Lynching. This movie will have you asking why we need to relive this painful memory and nodding in agreement to the wake-up call for jungle justice to be nipped in the bud. There are no Nollywood regulars in this one, but it’ll still have you sat. But brace yourself to cry hard during and after watching.

    Nkemakonam

    Nkemakonam has an incredible storyline with captivating themes of motherhood, premarital pregnancy and castigation. A young girl is cast aside by her community after getting pregnant, leading her to deliver her baby herself. This is one of the best Nollywood productions of 2023 so far; the acting, pacing and cinematography are nothing short of amazing.

    Best Nollywood horror movies of 2023

    Omozi

    In a bid to japa and give herself and her daughter a better life, Omozi falls into the trap of human traffickers who ship her to Malaysia and her little daughter, Joyful, to Libya. Although quite intriguing and sad, Omozi is an important watch.

    Akudaaya

    https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3jBnnlKRgI4

    If you’re up for some ghost stories, especially one where the deceased reincarnates and tries to live a normal life away from his loved ones, this one is for you. Olumide Oworu leads a stellar cast that also features veterans like Sola Sobowale, Yomi Fash-Lanso and Hafiz Oyetoro, among others.

    Ile Owo

    Originally released in 2022, this horror-thriller arrived on streaming platform, Netflix, in May 2023, and it’s one for the books. Directed by Dare Olaitan, the movie transports viewers into the life of Akanni Owo (Jide Oyegbile), a wealthy man who would stop at nothing to attain immortality. Bisola Aiyeola, Tina Mba and Akin Lewis were featured in the film.

    Best Christian Nollywood movies of 2023

    Recitation

    Recitation follows Blessing, a young girl who has to dodge a lot of “God, abeg” situations in her quest to live a godly life. Faced with temptation from her peers and society, Blessing resolves to stay steadfast in her faith, relying on the Word of God and the guidance of the Holy Spirit.

    Enoch

    This film is inspired by the life of Pastor Enoch Adejare Adeboye, the general overseer of the Redeemed Christian Church of God (RCCG). It reveals the circumstances of his birth and childhood, how he became a genius mathematician, found Christ through his future wife and how God called him to ministry. Enoch was released to mark Pastor Adeboye’s 81st birthday.

    Abejoye

    The series finale was released in January, but this is one Christian series you should binge-watch if you’re a huge fan of Mount Zion productions. Written by Mike Bamiloye, the series explores the story of an African traditionalist dad who visits his son abroad and soon realises that he and his wife are struggling Christians with their own secrets.

    Adeyinka Odutuyo

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  • First Half of 2023: These Are The Best Serves From Nollywood

    According to the Department of Film Censorship and Classification, Nollywood has produced only 280 movies in the first quarter of 2023. Quite a drastic reduction for a film industry that releases movies like NEPA withholds light. We weren’t the world’s second largest film producer for nothing.

    There’s more focus on improving quality and reducing output now — we’ve been blown away, thrilled and dipped in all sorts of emotions due to the highly impressive movies Nollywood has produced in 2023 — full-length and short films, these are the best ones so far.

    Gangs of Lagos

    If you’re looking for an original Nigerian  crime and thriller flick, this is the one for you. It’s in the same collection with the likes of Saworoide, King of Boys and others with underlining of social commentary. You’re in for a story about family, loyalty, leadership and filled with packed action. Hope the sight of blood and gang activities won’t scare you away sha?

    The Trade

    Inspired by true events; a tale of greed and terror. As the story unfolds, we witness the high-stakes game of cat and mouse, set in Lagos, between a determined law enforcement officer and a cunning kidnapper terrorizing the Southern parts of Nigeria. Word on the street is The Trade is a movie adaptation of a popular Nigerian kidnapper who was arrested in 2017.

    There are no lacklustre fight scenes, just intense suspense, believable Naija violence and a gripping story. The film earns Blossom Chukwujekwu a top contender spot for best actor of 2023.

    Sista

    https://youtu.be/LhDCxb3z4k0

    This movie made me shed a few gangsta tears when I watched it. A single mom zealously fights for her two kids when their deadbeat dad tries to win them over after being absent in their lives. Using his wealth and influence to entice the children instead of seeking penance and establishing connection with them, their furious mother swings into action to detach them from a man who never loved them in the first place.

    The acting performances by our faves like Kehinde Bankole, Deyemi Okanlawon, Bisola Aiyeola, etc. were striking. Many people say it’s the best Nigerian film they’ve seen in a while.

    Love In A Pandemic

    In 2020, COVID-19 shut down everywhere and kept us in our homes. Even though the lockdown curbed our movements, it didn’t stop some people from finding true love. Bolanle (Nancy Isime), in an attempt to apologise to her boyfriend about a fight , dialled a wrong number belonging to Alex (Deyemi Okanlawon). The call to a stranger becomes a routine and feelings get involved but the pandemic is in their way. If you need something to convince you that your boyfriend shouldn’t stop you from meeting your true love, Love In A Pandemic is the answer.

    READ: Nollywood Next Gen: Meet the Actors Set to Take Over 2023

    Boy Meets Girl

    This experimental short film closely follows Musa, a 15 year old lad who had a terrifying, life-changing experience with a young girl on a bus. Boy Meets Girl is filled with undertones of the abducted Chibok Girls, underperforming government and failed security system. Shooting the movie in Gamboru, Borno State, feels intentional and noteworthy, hitting too close to home. You can’t miss out on this one.

    Nkemakonam

    Nkemakonam has an incredible storyline and captivating themes of motherhood, premarital pregnancy and castigation, creating more conversations around this common issue that has minimal social awareness. A young girl is cast aside by her community after getting pregnant, leading her to deliver her baby herself. This is one of the best Nollywood productions so far this year, the acting, pacing and cinematography are nothing short of amazing.

    Omozi

    In a bid to japa from Nigeria to Belgium and give herself and her daughter a better life, Omozi falls into the trap of human traffickers. The people she was supposed to link with and travel together turned out to be the traffickers, shipping her to Malaysia and Joyful, her little daughter to Libya. Although quite intriguing and sad, Omozi is an important watch.

    Submit your contribution here.

    Tomide Marv

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  • QUIZ: Only True Movie Buffs Can Ace This Africa Magic Trivia

    You’ve earned automatic bragging rights if you score more than eight on this quiz.

    Meyimi O.

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  • Nollywood Needs to Let These Eight Plots Rest

    We all love watching Nollywood movies, but they need to retire from using some of their plots. Here are some plots that we think they should break up with.

    The one where a guy bumps into a lady and she drops her bag

    Then they both try to pick it up but instead of picking it up, they look into each other’s eyes for like 30 seconds, and of course, it’s love at first sight. Please, nobody has time for that in real life. Imagine this happened to you in Yaba market, will you have time to start doing “love at first sight”?

    The one where the mother-in-law hates her son’s wife for no reason

    This will always be ghetto behaviour. The annoying part is most of the time, she’s also a witch. Nollywood, we are on our knees. Please, let go of this plot. I’m sure everyone remembers who used to play this role.

    RELATED: 30 Things To Expect If Your Bae’s Mother Is Yoruba

    The one where the person is barely in front of the car but the car hits them 

    If you don’t find this plot annoying, I don’t know what to say to you. What is that annoying sound effect they always add? 

    The one where the maid is having an affair with her madam’s husband

    Half of the movies on Africa Magic are about how the madam was too busy with work, so her husband started having an affair with their maid who takes care of him.

    The one where the prince falls in love with the poor village girl

    This plot is giving Cinderella. We all know how it will end: the prince breaks up with his rich girlfriend, his family members like and marry the poor village girl, and they’ll live happily ever after.

    The one where the step-mother is extremely wicked 

    Just like the one with the wicked in-law, this plot is old and stale.

    The one where the gateman and the house girl are messing around

    It’s a funny plot but it has become basic, and I think I speak for everybody when I say, WE ARE TIRED.

    RELATED: 8 Gateman Stereotypes Nollywood Needs To Change

    The one where the mothers and aunties keep disturbing their daughters and nieces to get married

    We know it’s like that in real life, but Nollywood, we’re tired of watching it. Give us something different, like a plot where Nigerians start showing their politicians pepper. 

    Ralia

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  • QUIZ: Only Movie Buffs Can Guess Which of These Nigerian Movies Is Older

    Nollywood has come a long way, and this simple quiz will show if you’ve been paying attention to the journey.

    Meyimi O.

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  • These 7 Nigerian Movies Will Raise Your Standards for Love

    Have you ever watched a romantic film with the relationship of your dreams and it suddenly clicked that you deserve more, or that your expectations aren’t too high? I picked seven Nigerian movies that will make you raise your standards for love.

    Isoken

     Isoken remained single at 34 in a Nigerian household, and when she finally falls in love, it is with a white man. Anyone willing to overcome their family and parents’ conventional beliefs to be with you is definitely a green flag.

    RELATED: Love Life: Our Parents Are Worried We’ll Divorce

    Namaste Wahala

    Do you realise how brave you must be to recognise that your Igbo and Indian parents act irrationally when it comes to marriage, and then try to go against them? You may have a death wish, but there is nothing more romantic than defying your parents’ desires for the sake of love. 

    The Royal Hibiscus Hotel

    If a man doesn’t come to buy my family’s legacy hotel, fall in love with me in a week, plan the most elaborate date and then buy said hotel just to give it back, I don’t want. Watching this movie will remind you that Nigerian men can be romantic, and maybe it’s time to dump that guy in your dms who texts you once in three days.

    Flower Girl

    Nothing is cuter than a woman trying to reinvent herself for a dumb man with the help of a friend and then falling in love with herself. But that isn’t why we’re here. Do you realise how hopelessly in love you must be to have a daughter like the protagonist Dami? Her parents stole the show with how adorable their relationship was. They were both nosy about their daughter’s love life. They bullied each other like friends and made me feel like you could hack this love thing if you just marry your best friend. 

    The Wedding Party

    Never mind Dunni and Dozie’s snooze fest of a love story; instead, focus on Dunni’s parents’ connection instead of. A Nigerian woman who didn’t kill her husband for making them impoverished again, a man who supports all of his wife’s rights and wrongs, and parents who were willing to call off the wedding at any time for their child? Come on. I don’t care for the part where they started from the bottom and are now at the top, but look at Dunni’s and Dozie’s parents and tell me why these guys shouldn’t be the standard.

    Blood Sisters

    I know that this movie isn’t about romance but hear me out: Yinka and Femi. That’s it. Were they extraordinarily foolish and good at making bad decisions? Yes, but at least they made it together as a couple. And how often do we see couples in films who are that devoted to one another? If they don’t raise your standards, they’ll at least increase your expectations for how much sex a married couple should have.

    Telling my kid’s that this is Romeo and Juliet.

    Knocking on Heaven’s Door

    How many men would be willing to fight spiritual and physical battles to get you? Not a lot tbh and I don’t blame them.  It was one thing for Majid Michel’s character to fight his addiction and get clean so that Adesuwa might give him a chance, but when he was ready to fight the church for her sake? Yessss! Have you ever had to fight people in a Nigerian church? is that not true love?

    RELATED: 11 Quizzes That Will Help You Figure Out Your Love Life

    Malakai Bassey

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  • We Hate to Say It, But These Old Nollywood Films Were Problematic AF

    Though a lot of it was unintentional and can’t be recreated (I’m looking at you, Charles of Play), Old Nollywood is pretty iconic. I’ve recently been taking deep dives into the pool of movie nostalgia to gag at the insane fashion and bad CGI from that era. Do you know what else I’ve come across? Disturbing storylines that have left me shook and scarred. 

    Brace yourself!

    1. Men in Love 

    Nollywood reflects who we are as a society, so it comes as no surprise that many of their old attempts at tackling LGBTQ+ issues reek of homophobia. 2010’s Men in Love is no exception. The movie follows Whitney (Tonto Dikeh) and Charles (John Dumelo), a couple whose disaster of a marriage (he cheats on her with anything in a skirt) is threatened by the arrival of Alex (Muna Obiekwe), a juju-wielding gay man. It’s bad enough that this film portrays its gay characters as rapey predators laden with every negative gay stereotype you can think of. But the movie’s worst sin is  making homosexuality out to be the result of a spiritual affliction, which is why many Nigerians suffer inhumane punishments in the name of conversion therapy (aka going for deliverance) till this day. 

    Everyone who worked on this project needs to bow their heads in shame. 

    2. Beyoncé and Rihanna 

    There’s gist that Beyoncé has seen Beyoncé and Rihanna, and now I want to hear her take on it. But before I ring up my girl Bey on WhatsApp (because a regular call to Houston, Texas would be too expensive), can we talk about how they made a film inspired by two of the biggest pop stars on the planet and centred their storyline around wanting a man? Ewww. There’s so much they could’ve explored, but the film’s producers thought, “Why not make a FOUR PART movie franchise where Nadia Buari and Omotola Jalade Ekeinde bitch slap each other because of Jim Iyke? ”

    If it was about Dr Dre and Jay Z, the plot would be completely different from this. 

    3. To Rise Again

    To Rise Again is proof that, even in death, Nigerian men will not let you rest. Joseph (Richard Mofe Damijo) is an armed robber who loses his life after a robbery attack. Instead of staying dead like his friends, he rebrands as a bible-believing ghost taxi driver who gets Lydia (Stella Damasus) to fall in love and have a child with him. Spoiler: it ended up being a dream or something. But, we were rooting for their love story. It just feels manipulative and gross. It might not be problematic in the grand scheme of things, but no one should bang a ghost. Not even if he looks like Richard Mofe Damijo. 

    RECOMMENDED: Ranked: Nobody Beats These 10 Nollywood Actresses at Crying in Movies

    4. White Hunters 

    Tabitha (Ini Edo), Peggy (Funke Akindele), and Pamela (Mercy Johnson) are three young women who decide to chase and date white men after growing tired of broke-ass Nigerian men and their bullshit. Not to defend Nigerian men, but what the hell is this plot? Their thirst for coloniser penis and money isn’t even my issue with White Hunters; it’s the offensive stereotype it enforces by squeezing in jokes about the only Indian character smelling like garlic 24/7. 

    5. Emotional Crack 

    While Emotional Crack has given us a ton of iconic memes, the problematic nature of the movie’s plot is undeniable. Chudi (Ramsey Noah) is married to Crystal (Stephanie Okereke), who he beats and cheats on like it’s nobody’s business. Things take an exciting lesbian (or bisexual— honestly, fuck labels) turn when Chudi’s side thing Camila (Dakore Akande on a rasta P) decides to ruin the already messed up marriage by seducing Crystal. 

    Once again, the queer character here is depicted as a crazy disposable stalker, while the wife-beater is given a redemption arc that makes him out to be a victim. His abusive nature is never even addressed.  Old nollywood was really deep in their homophobic/misogynistic bag when they made this one.  

    6. Thunderbolt (Magun)

    Yinka Ajiboye (Lanre Balogun) marries Ngozi (Uche Osotule) during their NYSC years. But when his friends start spreading rumours that his wife is the whore of Babylon, Yinka consults with a Babalawo and places a Magun curse on her, endangering her life. The wild thing here is that at no point in the movie does he properly confront her. He just goes straight to the Babalawo like he’s ordering food from Instagram. Thunderbolt (Magun) is a prime example of toxic masculinity, and pushes the idea that a wife is her husband’s property. Even if she cheated, why is placing a curse on her the next logical step? The ghetto. 

    ALSO READ: Reimagining Nigerian Musicians as Characters in a Nollywood Horror Movie

    Conrad Johnson-Omodiagbe

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  • Dear Nollywood, Come and Explain These Ridiculous Scenes, Please

    Nigerian movies have evolved greatly over the years, and we applaud Nollywood for that. However, you look at some scenes from Nollywood movies over the years and you just wonder what exactly was going through the minds of the writers responsible for them. Scenes like: 

    1. The scene in Stolen Bible where Jesus jumps off the cross to chase Kate Henshaw’s character around for being a kleptomaniac.

    In what has to be the funniest nightmare sequence of all time. Kate Henshaw’s character in this movie is catholic and goes to pray in front of a statue of Jesus on the cross. She is so much of a sinner, that Jesus is disgusted, jumps off the cross and chases her away. 

    2. That scene in Blood Sisters where Esther hangs from a tree

    Why’s Esther hanging from a tree with her eyes open and her tongue out? How did she, a blind person, pull all of that off? The scene is so cringe and funny. I’m sure Genevieve has a good laugh whenever she remembers it. 

    READ: I Watched The Nollywood Movie “Blood Sister” So You Don’t Have To

    3. MI’s sudden appearance in Namaste Wahala

    Namaste Wahala has many questions to answer and one of them is MI’s sudden appearance. He literally appears out of thin air like a genie. Let’s not get into the violent product placement in that film. 

    4. Why was Nneka’s bumbum outside in Nneka The Pretty Serpent?

    Nneka jumps into a river (or whatever that is) and her clothes somehow disappear so she has to kill a couple on the shore to take theirs. Do you know how crazy this sounds? Nneka the Pretty Serpent gets a solid one star for this. And that one star is because Idia Aisien, the lady who played Nneka, is fine AF. 

    5. The entire Chief Daddy 2

    Apologies for flogging a dead horse, but we need to speak on this. We can’t point to one scene in this movie because the whole movie is nothing but a mad joke. 

    6. The remarkable Fufu scene in Mark Of The Beast

    In this scene, the pastor is about to eat a plate of fufu so he prays over it but the fufu rejects the blessings and calls him an idiot because the fufu is possessed by the devil. LMFAO

    7. Homosexual lunch turned public display of humiliation – Brought to you by Men In Love

    John Dumelo and Muna Obiekwe are having homosexual lunch at a restaurant in matching shirts when Muna’s ex-boyfriend comes in and starts screaming, ’BOYFRIEND SNATCHER!” at John Dumelo.

    8. That one scene in Mr and Mrs Jejeloye where they’re fighting themselves and their in-laws

    Yoruba movies are funny and unhinged, and this scene proves it. The couple is fighting with themselves and sticking with each other to fight people who try to come between them. Pure comedy. 

    https://twitter.com/oluwatofunmii_/status/1385192649578237953?s=21

    9. “I never knew you were a harlot” – Blood Sisters

    This is one of my favourite scenes of all time. I even learnt the letter by heart. “Don’t try to look for me because if you do, I will disgrace you”. Big ups to the comedian person who scripted this scene. 

    10. A round of applause? Sorry, a round of slaps. 

    I searched far and wide for the title of this film and couldn’t find it so I’ve decided to title it A Round of Slaps starring Mike Ezuruonye and his girlfriends.

    https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8LAYv3FFnyg

    CONTINUE READING: Nollywood, You Won’t Die If You Stop Doing These Things


    Ibukun

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  • Nigerian Oscars? These Are the Categories We Want to See

    One thing about us, we love awards’ season. Oscar, Grammys, Emmys, yes, choke us with all of it. While Nigeria has movie awards, they’re still not giving what they’re supposed to be giving..  So we want to see these categories be added to Nigerian movie awards: 

    1. Most chaotic wig 

    In Nollywood, wigs are characters all on their own. Back in the day, we watched our faves show up in stiff-ass wigs that channelled everyone from Mufasa in Lion King to Storm in X-Men. With New Nollywood having a battle of the frontals and throwing 13-inch kinky Brazilian wigs on all their characters — even in movies set in the village — it’s only right that we have a category to recognize one of the most versatile and underrated performers in the industry, our wigs. 

    2. Best Ameritish Accent 

    Nollywood and accents you can’t trace or identify go hand-in-hand. Back then, Jim Iyke, Hanks Anuku and Regina Askia stressed us with their fake accents. But these days, almost every Nollywood actor has a VPN-acquired accent. Also, is it really a Nollywood film if the lead character didn’t just return from overseas to find love? We refuse to list out the contenders in this category, but they know themselves. 

    3. Best wedding/burial (or any celebration-type film that requires at least 20 popular actors)

    Why did Nollywood discover ensemble comedies and decide that was “it”? Like, after The Wedding Party, it’s like they sent a WhatsApp broadcast and decided to compete to see how many stars they could fit into one film, no matter how chaotic the script or casting might look. A certain studio is known for packing actors in their films like Titus sardines and honestly, they deserve this award. 

    4. Best shot of the Lekki-Ikoyi Link Bridge 

    Shoutout to the hardest working actor in Nollywood mehn. Since we can’t nominate individuals, we’ve decided to go with the film that best captured his beauty in glorious HD. 

    5. Best Instagram/BBNaija influencer-to-actor transition

    Nollywood has become the final bus stop for IG influencers and Big Brother Naija alumni. We’re not complaining o, before you drag us. Instead, we’re creating a category to honour the transitions that sort of worked. 

    6. Best soundtrack

    We‘ve missed the days when Nollywood summarised the entire plot of a film using Stanley Okorie’s voice. It saved you the stress of deciding whether or not you actually wanted to see the film. Now, we have songs like “Nneka, obu gini?” from Nneka the Pretty Serpent as major contenders for this award. Don’t lie, that song is catchy AF!

    7. Best plot-that-didn’t-even-make-sense

    How did a script like Chief Daddy 2pass through a scriptwriter, producers, a director and a container of actors, and no one thought to say, “Ewww, God forbid!” We watch some films and convince ourselves that the people behind them must’ve had their loved ones kidnapped, with the film being a form of ransom payment. Because honestly, why this? That being said, everyone deserves their flowers — even films that give us headaches.

    8. Best ghost 

    Nollywood ghosts are a case for the FBI. When they’re not crossing the street like Omotola in Blood Sisters, they’re walking around drenched in blood carrying crying babies. It’s all very stressful and they deserve a whole category award for all that hard work. 

    Conrad Johnson-Omodiagbe

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  • Who Else Thought These Nollywood Couples Were Actually Together?

    Nollywood has given us a lot of iconic pairings over the years, but some actors do their job so well on screen, we find it hard to separate play play from real life. Have you ever looked at a Nollywood pairing and felt deep down that they were an actual couple? We’ve been there too. Here’s a list of some old Nollywood couples that were so good, we thought they were married or dating in real life. 

    Stella Damasus and Richard Mofe Damijo (RMD)

    These two were always married or about to be married in all their films. Look at the material: In When God Says Yes, they were a couple looking for a kidney for RMD; In Engagement Night, she slept with his best friend but they still somehow found their way back to each other; and let’s not forget the wild ass To Rise Again where RMD was Stella Damasus’ ghost baby daddy. It’s not our fault we thought they were together. 

    Rita Dominic and Jim Iyke 

    Rumour has it that these two were a thing at one point, but are we really surprised? With her big ass afros and his VPN-acquired Ameritish accent, Jim Iyke and Rita Dominic were the OG Bonnie and Clyde of old Nollywood. One minute they’re sipping cold juice by the beach, and the next thing you know, they’re arguing, with Rita in her thigh-high boots and Jim in his bandanas. We stan a chaotic couple. 

    Genevieve Nnaji and Ramsey Noah 

    First off, can we get into Genevieve’s tiara in this picture? Yes, sis, Disney princesses are shaking. Ramsey Noah and Genevieve were the couple to beat back in the day. They’ve dated and married each other onscreen so many times we’ve lost count. Power of Love, Butterfly, Honey, The Break-Up, Pain and Gain, Super Love or the one where she was a village Cinderella and he was the crown prince. These two had so much chemistry together, we were rooting for them to become a thing. 

    Ini Edo and Muna Obiekwe 

    Before Muna Obiekwe made the controversial Men in Love, he was one of Nollywood’s most-in-demand lover boys. While he shared the screen and his fictional heart with everyone from Genevieve Nnaji to Oge Okoye, it was his films with Ini Edo that had us screaming “God, when abeg?”. Once you saw Ini Edo in a campus setting with spaghetti straps and excess lipgloss, you immediately knew that Muna Obiekwe would pop up at some point. He fought Jim Iyke for her heart in The Cat and went against Stephanie Okereke and her cult group in Beautiful Faces. Can your man fight? 

    Genevieve and Emeka Ike 

    Back then, if Genevieve was not acting opposite Ramsey Noah, best believe she was serving melanated couple goals alongside Emeka Ike. He was her knight in shining armour in For Better for Worse and Pain and Gain, showed her pepper in Not Man Enough and let’s not forget when he blinded and married her in Two Together. Through all of this, they made us root for them and honestly, we’re still shocked they weren’t a thing. Na wa o. 

    Van Vicker and Nadia Buari

    This is not the time for jollof or Shatta Wale wars, we all know that once upon a time, Nollywood and Ghollywood were one wood. Following the success of Beyonncé the President’s Daughter, Nadia and Van became the biggest Ghanaian exports to Nigeria. They were so big, Nollywood had them shooting village movies in the East. Why did these two work so well together? Well, we all thought they were dating. Look at the image above and tell us you didn’t see it back then. 

    Stella Damasus and Desmond Elliot

    They didn’t do much together, but these two were iconic AF. Just look at the poster for Missing Angel, the film where he was the angel of death sent to collect her soul, but somehow ended up getting trapped by her snail. Interesting times. There was also Behind Closed Doors and a couple of others. Long story short, we thought they were a thing at some point but apparently, we were clowns. 

    Conrad Johnson-Omodiagbe

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  • Meet the Badass Female Directors Taking Over Nollywood in 2022

    2022 has been a weird year for Nollywood and we haven’t even celebrated valentines yet. Kicking things off with Chief Daddy 2, a lot has been said about the industry and the type of stories filmmakers are choosing to tell these days. Breaking out from the mold and creating a path that is uniquely theirs, female directors in Nollywood  have been killing the game in an industry and country with odds stacked against them. Set to tell a wide range of stories from hustling gangs on the streets to groundbreaking remakes sure to light up the big screen, these are the female directors to watch out for this year. 

    Jadesola Osiberu 

    Since popping up on the scene, Jade has served as the brains behind one of Ndani TV’s biggest hits, Gidi Up, directed one of the few solid rom-coms Nollywood has put out in a long time, Isoken and also worn the producer hat for the 2019’s blockbuster hit, Sugar Rush and last year’s biographical drama, Ayinla. 

    This year, Jade is set to return back to the director’s chair with the gritty Gangs of Lagos. Starring Adesua Etomi, Tobi Bakare, Chike, Yvonne Jegede, Pasuma and the Ikorodu Boiz, this project is a complete 180 from her previous works as she delves into the dangerous lives of the gangs of Isale Eko, Lagos. 

    Blessing Uzzi 

    After many years working as a producer and directing music videos for everyone from Waje to Cobhams Asuquo, Blessing is set to make her full-length directorial debut with No Man’s Land. Shot late last year with a star-studded  cast that includes Sola Sobowale, Omawunmi Dada and Seun Kuti making his acting debut, this film features a shit load of violence and guns and we’re all here for it. 

    Bunmi Akajaiye

    You not know her name (yet), but Bunmi Akajaiye is the director behind some of our favourite projects including: Ndani TV’s Skinny Girl in Transit, Toke Makinwa and Falz’ Therapy and last year’s ad-heavy The Smart Money Woman Series. Having transitioned to film with My Wife & I starring Ramsey Noah and Omoni Oboli, Bunmi is set to take on her biggest project yet, the highly anticipated remake of Glamour Girls for Play Network and Netflix. While details surrounding the film are still under wraps, we know it’ll feature the ensemble cast of Toke Makinwa, Nse Ikpe Etim, Sharon Ooja, Joselyn Dumas and Lily Afe. 

    While Play Network’s remakes have been more misses than hits lately, there’s just something about this project that lifts our hopes. 

    Ema Edosio 

    Ema Edosio started out making music videos under the direction of Clarence Peters, but it wasn’t until she dropped her debut film, Kasala in 2018, that she officially caught our attention. The coming of age film followed a group of teenage boys on a chaotic trip to fix a car they “borrowed” and bashed on the way to a party. Making a comeback nearly four years later, we’re expecting to see Emma’s new film, Umuemu Eseme: The Sins of My Father, which features Gina Castel, Charles Etubiebi and Chimezie Imo some time this year. 

    Kemi Adetiba 

    This is Kemi Adetiba’s world and we’re all just living in it. She started the owambe movie trend with 2016’s The Wedding Party and as if that wasn’t enough, in 2018, she shook up the industry, introducing us to Eniola Salami in King of Boys (long as hell, but we’re used to it now). Even though she made history as the first Nigerian director with an original series for Netflix with King of Boys: The Return of the King, Kemi is currently working on a secret project. No information on when it’s coming out or what it’s about, but for now, we’ll hold on to this tweet which confirms our gut feeling that something huge is coming 

    Conrad Johnson-Omodiagbe

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  • 5 Nollywood Films That Capture The Chaos Of Living In Lagos

    These days, most Nollywood films focus on the lives of the upper and middle-class residents of the city, ignoring a large part of its population. Foreign accents, miscast actors, and the Lekki-Ikoyi Link Bridge characterize what we’ll like to call “Lekkiwood”. While these movies may kill it at the box office, here are some of the films that capture Lagos with a bit more nuance.

    Confusion Na Wa

    https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7J_oSNR2Etg

    Picture this: two local champions (O.C Ukeje and Gold Ikponmwosa) discover a phone, blackmail its owner (Ramsey Noah) based on the content they found, and then have their lives go to shit just because they couldn’t mind their business. Taking inspiration from films like Magnolia and Crash, Confusion Na Wa is a dark comedy flick that follows a group of strangers and explores the way their worlds collide over 24 hours. While the film is set in an anonymous Nigerian city, its chaotic storyline and scenes are a perfect depiction of what it means to live in Lagos – one minute you’re on your own and the next thing, wahaleaux! 

    Kasala!

    Hollywood has given us its fair share of coming-of-age comedies. From Friday and Juice in the 1990s to Superbad in the late 2000s, stories chronicling the crazy misadventures of the American youth have always been in full supply. Ema Edosio’s 2018 comedy Kasala! makes a brave attempt at capturing this feeling for young Nigerians. Set in Surulere, the film follows four young boys who find themselves in serious trouble after they bash a borrowed car on the way to a Lagos party. It is funny, crazy, and all over the place: three words that describe Lagos. 

    Ghost And The House Of Truth 

    As fun and exciting as Lagos can be, there is an undeniable sense of danger the city also presents to its inhabitants. One film that does its best to capture this danger is Akin Omotosho’s Ghost and the House of Truth. A 9-year-old goes missing on her way from school, and her working-class mother teams up with a pregnant police officer in a bid to bring her home. Diving deep into  the darker side of Lagos we experience in real life but rarely at the cinema, it finds both ugliness and beauty in areas like Makoko and Iwaya. For Lagosians who navigate these places, it feels good to finally see a reality they can associate with.  

    Oga Bolaji 

    Before director Kayode Kasum gained popularity for films like Sugar Rush and Fate of Alakada, he made Oga Bolaji, a film that captures the essence of Lagos in the simplest of ways. Oga Bolaji shows the unpredictable nature of Lagos while asking that its characters get up and try again no matter what. It follows its title character and his chance encounter with a little girl that changes his life forever. You know that resilient hustling spirit that wakes us up in Lagos? Oga Bolaji does its best to bring that to the screen. 

    The Wedding Party

    It is easy to blame this film for the current state of Nollywood. An ensemble cast, a wild family event, and crazy marketing made The Wedding Party one of the highest-grossing Nollywood films of all time. Since then, almost every film has been trying to recreate that blueprint. Nothing says Lagos more than a lavish aso-ebi-filled wedding.

    Conrad Johnson-Omodiagbe

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  • QUIZ: Can You Guess 9/13 Of These Nollywood Movies From 5 Clues?

    Do you think you can identify these movies from just 5 clues? Take the quiz:

    Miriam Onyemenam

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  • QUIZ: Only Seasoned Nigerians Can Score 9/13 On This TV Trivia

    Do you really know a lot about Nigerian movies? Prove yourself here:

    Miriam Onyemenam

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  • QUIZ: Can We Guess Your Age Based On The Nigerian Movies You’ve Seen?

    Tell us the Nigerian movies you’ve watched and we’ll guess your age:

    Select the Nigerian movies you’ve watched:

    Miriam Onyemenam

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  • Namaste Wahala Is Even More Cheesy Than You Expect, That’s Why I Love It

    Warning: Spoilers ahead.

    Before we get into this review you need to understand one thing about me – I live for bad movies and shows. I exclusively watch the CW, and the moment I see a tweet about a show being bad I immediately add it to my ‘to-watch’ list. Emmy or Oscar worthy shows or movies that have all the critics raving about how it mirrors society and provides room for us to process our collective trauma? Meh. Binge-worthy trash shows or movies that are painfully exaggerated and obviously rooted in a fantasy that is very out of this world? My jam! Knowing this, you can understand why the moment I heard we would be having a Bollywood-Nollywood love drama I was excited. Two movie industries that were built on exaggerated storylines giving us their love child? Namaste Wahala just has my name all over it.

    Naturally, I don’t watch movies like this expecting jaw-dropping writing or acting but Namaste Wahala definitely pushed the envelope. The acting in this movie, especially in the scene where RMD (an actor I love not just because he is my sugar daddy of choice but also because he has consistently proven to have the acting chops you would expect of a veteran) meets his daughter’s beau for the first time and isn’t okay with him being Indian is so unbelievably wooden I believe I can stake a vampire with it. Frodd, of Big Brother Naija fame, had maybe three lines and somehow gave one of the worst performances I have ever seen in my life. And this is coming from someone who has spent considerable time watching the youths in church act out dramas during youth week. The line delivery for almost the entirety of the movie is my current source of joy but only because of how awful it is. The actress that plays Meera, the mother of Raj, our male protagonist, delivers every line like she is amused by herself. She reminds me of those friends who start laughing at their funny story before even getting to the punch line. Her scene with her taxi driver at the airport is so bad I watched it three times. The attempt to put so many Nigerian (and Indian) mannerisms and references into one scene is hilariously awful and unrealistic. That said, she is easily one of the best characters in the movie. And the scene where she called out RMD for not being too smart gave me endorphins. 

    Namaste Wahala isn’t a bad watch, especially for people who watch and love Bollywood or Nollywood movies. I enjoyed the cultural fusion and the cinematography is top tier. The actors and actresses are really beautiful – I have plans to have babies for almost everyone in the cast. That said, the writing stressed me. In one of the early scenes, Didi, our female protagonist who is played by Ini Dima-Okojie, sits down for breakfast with her family – I love extravagant breakfast spreads in movies – and says ‘‘this looks so yummy’’ and picks up a piece of fried yam. Here’s the thing, fried yam doesn’t look yummy. Fried yam exists, for better or worse. No one has ever looked at a piece of fried yam and thought ‘‘this looks yummy.’’ A similar thing also happens in another of the later scenes when Meera, Raj’s mother, takes a bite of the indomie Didi made for Raj to get an idea for the food Didi has been making for her son. She bites into it and then goes ‘wow’. First of all, calm down. It is indomie, cold indomie at that. Let’s not oversell it. Speaking of overselling it, the product placement in this movie was so violent. By the time I was done, I felt like I owed the brands and products they were pushing money for some reason. It was a lot. Don’t worry, I’ll go to the restaurants this week.

    I could go on and on about Namaste Wahala. Premo who is played by Osas Ighodaro had no reason to be so annoying because Didi not working in the company was good for her and would have allowed Premo advance in her career. There’s also the fact that the movie just sang away three months of Didi and Raj’s relationship and let’s not forget that Angie told Raj that Didi was ‘very, very single’ and if any of my friends ever did that I would ask them to explain what that means because my not having a serious relationship for half a decade is not enough reason for me to be pimped out, please. I am not going to touch the scenes where they were supposed to be serious lawyers because if I do that, I am afraid of what I’ll say. 

    So final word? Eh. I enjoyed watching it and I think hopefully, this means we’ll be having more movies like this – cheesy and fun – but with better writing and not so wooden acting. Perhaps even some Christmas-themed movies. Hell, give us a New Yam festival themed-movie just for the culture. 

    Desmond

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  • 5 Nigerian Movies On Netflix You Need To Watch Now

    Last year, Netflix finally and officially came to Nigeria. This means they opened a social media account dedicated to Nigerian content on their streaming service and increased their Nigerian content on the service as well as commissioned more Netflix Originals to be made. However, the sheer number of movies and shows on Netflix are overwhelming leaving many confused on exactly where to start and this is where we come in. We rounded up the five Nigerian movies you need to watch on Netflix right now.

    Living In Bondage – Breaking Free

    Living In Bondage – Breaking Free, a well-done sequel to the Nollywood late nineties classic Living In Bondage, is arguably one of the best Nollywood movies ever. Featuring a star-studded cast, and an interesting take on the classic poor-but-good and intelligent -boy-is-pressured-to-engage-in-money- rituals and almost palpable chemistry between Ramsey Nouah and then-newcomer Swanky JKA, it doesn’t take much to see why the movie was an instant hit. Currently available to stream on Netflix, we highly recommend you see it if you haven’t.

    Iyore

    https://youtu.be/_AIlljkR52o

    Starring Rita Dominic, Joseph Benjamin and Okawa Shaznay, Iyore has a certain type of elegance that is rare to find. The movie explores reincarnation and love across different lifetimes and in its way, shows how humans repeat mistakes over and over even when given multiple chances. Placing two different lives of the same soul against each other – one in modern times and the other in the ancient Benin empire – the true joy in this movie is finding out what is the same across the different lives and what is different.

    Sugar Rush

    If you like hearty humorous comedic films then Sugar Rush is likely just the movie for you. Sugar Rush is delightfully chaotic and more than makes up for the occasional continuity and consistency issues with easy laugh scenes. Perfect for a weekend or even a weeknight watch if the goal is lighthearted escapism.

    The Figurine

    With beautiful cinematography, Kunle Afolayan merges several Nollywood horror tropes in a beautiful and scary tale about two friends who find a statue that bestows seven years of good luck to anyone that finds it before granting them seven years of horrible luck following it. The movie stars two of Nollywood’s best – Ramsey Nouah and Omoni Oboli – playing across each other giving some of their best performances yet.

    Phone Swap

    Nse Ikpe-Etim has a way of elevating just about everything she stars in to a new level of elegance, a thing that she has had all the way back to staring in the aptly named early 2010s Nollywood movie Blackberry Babes. In Phone Swap, Ikpe-Etim shines through giving the comedy film the boosts it needs to be on this list. The film chronicles the hilarious happenings after a fashion designer and a businessman end up switching phones at an airport. If feel-good unrealistic romantic comedies are your jam, we highly recommend Phone Swap.

    Desmond

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  • Quiz: How Well Do You Know Super Story?

    Any young Nigeria born before the beginning of this millennium knows that Super Story was a defining part of our childhood and lives. Premium content Gen Z can probably not relate to. Let’s take you back to the beginning. How well do you remember and know your award winning  Super Story?

    Ope

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  • Nollywood has always depicted Nigerian society in different crazy ways, but nothing compares to how they depict exactly how Nigerian wives should behave. It’s amazing and highkey hilarious, honestly. Let me give you a few examples.

    These people will just be making marriage to be fearing somebody. Where’s the nearest convent, abeg?

    1. Marry as a virgin

    But on your wedding night, bust several moves. Shey the knowledge comes with the ring, at least for women? Men have to get their knowledge the more… manual way, obviously.

    2. Throw it down in the kitchen

    Looking like this, no less. If you’re not Martha Stewart mixed with The Kitchen Butterfly, are you even worth marrying? You will just push your husband into the hands of the next woman that can cook! Shey, it’s food cooked by someone else he came to use his life to eat.

    3. Get pregnant in the first few months.

    In fact, if you don’t get pregnant on your wedding night there must be something wrong. To Nollywood, any good wife will birth a son first, so act accordingly. It’s simply common sense and a little biology. Also, don’t forget to keep having babies till your husband can no longer afford them, but never ever add weight, look tired or complain.

    4. Never accuse your husband of cheating even if you catch him red handed.

    And if it’s paining you too much that your husband fell into the orifices of another woman, you need to apologise for not being enough and performing your duties to satisfaction. If he should continue, get your Bible or Quran and pray because it must be jazz.

    5. Be obedient.

    If your husband says ‘jump’, you better pack your breasts and start jumping.

    6. Always look good.

    Even if you’re just leaving the delivery room. As soon as that baby drops, the weight should drop too. In fact, leave that place with your baby, makeup and heels. After all, you don’t want to push him into the hands of another woman.

    7. Be more forgiving than Jesus.

    If your husband slaps you, just grab his collar, call him by his name and say “you slapped me?!” Then go ahead and insist that he kill you without delay. And when he should get on his knees, shed two tears and insist that the devil made him do it, forgive him. You’re a good wife.

    8. Clean the house like that’s what you were born to do.

    A Nigerian husband can only survive in the cleanest of homes and environments, so of course, it is your duty as a good wife to make that happen. The house must always be sparkling!

    9. Always always look sexy.

    But only in the house! So you can titillate his senses as you bend down to perform every little task. You have to stay on top of that sexy game!

    10. Don’t bother him unnecessarily. Even when you think it’s important, it’s not important to him.

    Even if you also have a job, you must always remember that your husband has had a long day, so you must never ask him to help around the house, help with the children, or even inconvenience him by falling sick. Don’t make him look outside the home for complete laziness.

    11. Respect his family. He doesn’t have to respect yours o but you must respect his family.

    Even if his younger siblings are younger than the last born of your family, you must always call them ‘sister’ or ‘brother’. Show that you have home training if you don’t want to go back to your father’s house that they weren’t chasing you from in the first place.

    12. You had better get out of bed first in the morning.

    You must never let your husband wake up after you. What kind of wife are you?! You should have been doing “one or two things” before he opens his eyes. This includes but is not limited to cooking, cleaning, and preparing the kids for school. You get up before him on weekends even, to handwash his underwear.

    13. Ensure food is always fresh and hot.

    Whether you have a job or not, all food your husband eats must be fresh and hot. Don’t ask me how you’re supposed to do that – I’m not married to your husband with you.

    14. Please what else did we leave out?

    Drop a comment below!

    Sade

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  • Nollywood has come a really long way, and that is greatly due to the amazing work of some iconic actors and actresses. We grew up with these stars, and we absolutely love and appreciate their work. Keeping up with them, we look at where some of them are now.

    Clarion Chukwurah

    If you ever watched Nollywood movies back in the day, there’s no way you don’t know the beautiful Clarion Chukwurah. Always playing interesting and daring roles, the award-winning actress who is also the mother of popular music video director Clarence Peters, is currently living her best life in the United States, doing great humanitarian work.

    Richard Mofe-Damijo

    Ah, RMD… Nollywood’s Denzel Washington. He’s a handsome award-winning actor and former Delta State Commissioner for Culture and Tourism. He’s still acting and on our screens, much to our delight.

    Eucharia Anunobi

    You can’t not know Eucharia. Her roles were so daring and exciting! She’s a true screen goddess. The beautiful actress is now a pastor at a church in Egbeda, Lagos.

    Saint Obi

    You should know this name, as well as the face. Obinna Nwafor, who is more popularly known as Saint Obi, is one of those Nigerian actors that you just had to look out for back in the day. He was in everything! Lucky for us, even though his main focus now is business, he still graces our screens.

    Liz Benson

    Another absolutely beautiful screen goddess, Elizabeth Benson is also a philanthropist, but best of all, she still acts!

    Pete Edochie

    Chief Pete Edochie is an award-winning actor, considered one of Africa’s most talented, and one of Nigeria’s favourites, despite his many roles as a wicked/evil man. He has given us many funny quotes and memes, and we absolutely love him! Although he no longer acts like before, we’re quite happy to know that he’s alive and doing well.

    Patience Ozokwor

    Patience Ozokwor is a musician, fashion designer, gospel singer and award-winning actress. Like Pete Edochie, she has played a lot of wicked/evil roles, but we still love her like that! She’s an evangelist now, but she still acts, to our great delight. She’s definitely one of Nigeria’s most talented actresses.

    Sam Dede

    Sam Dede is an award-winning actor, director, politician and lecturer. He has starred in such iconic movies as Issakaba and Igodo, so you just know that this man was badass back in the day! He is currently a senior lecturer of Theatre Arts at the University of Port Harcourt but still acts from time to time, and is doing quite well.

    Regina Askia

    When you think of Regina Askia-Williams, I’m sure stunning beauty first comes to mind. An ex-beauty queen, Regina shot to fame as the Most Beautiful Girl In Nigeria in 1989, then went on to become an award-winning actress. She is now a family nurse practitioner in the US, a healthcare and educational activist, television producer, writer, and public speaker.

    Zack Orji

    Zachee Ama Orji was one of the ultimate baby boys that year. He is an award-winning actor, director, producer and filmmaker, as well as a pastor. He still graces our screens, and is even better than before!

    Sade

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  • 8 Times Sola Sobowale Gave Us Life In ‘The Wedding Party’

    1. When her daughter’s wedding dress tore and she was like ‘mo gbe!’

    Wedding dress tearing on wedding day, chisooos!

    2. When she didn’t know the difference between Efik and Igbo culture, like every Yoruba mother.

    Yoruba mother of life!

    3. When she couldn’t contain her excitement for her daughter.

    Kuku kill all of us.

    4. What of when she became paranoid and thought they had kidnapped her daughter?

    The action was too much, please.

    5. When she and Ali Baba danced and they were the lives of the party.

    As it should be.

    6. What of when the bride’s family danced in and it was the greatest dance scene ever made?

    Hands down everyone’s favourite scene.

    7. Also, when she was super extra while she was praying against her enemies.

    And we all knew she was subbing the groom’s mother o!

    8. And when she started being all mushy with her husband right in the middle of a robbery, like the bosses they are.

    Mama the mama!

    Shola

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  • 1. The Happyness Limited

    Watch award-winning Tope Tedela who plays a  xx man, who tries to get his life back after losing everything in a fire.

    2. Kung-fu Master Jugunnu

    This hilarious movie trailer shows just how underrated Yoruba Nollywood is.

    3. The Three Wise Men

    Watch Zack Orji and RMD act like the typical Nigerian men  that famz the baby boy life at their old age in this hilarious trailer.

    4. The Guest

    If you love Rita Dominic, you’ll fall in love with this upcoming thriller.

    5. Dognapped

    What happens when an upcoming Nigerian comedian finds a talking dog? The hilarity in this trailer is out of this world, and yes, it features Odunlade Adekola.

    6. Room 315

    This upcoming movie is Nigeria’s1st ever crowd-sourced movie project and is centered around a psychologist and how his patient’s lives are webbed around his.

    7. When Love Happens Again

    A sequel to the 2014 rom-com, When Love Happens. We can only hope this movie meets expectations sha.

    Maryam

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  • Seriously, Nigerian comedian and film-maker, AY Makun, needs to show us the secret behind his record-breaking feat.

    Because, not long after his first movie, ’30 Days In Atlanta’, bagged a Guinness World Record for being Nigeria’s highest grossing movie, his 2nd movie, A Trip To Atlanta has reportedly smashed the record with a box office hit of 168 million Naira

    The film features the adventures of Akpos (played by AY Makun) and his fiance, Bola (Funke Akindele) during a family visitation trip overseas.

    Although it’s trailer came with seriously low expectations, this new record only proves Nigerians enjoy a ‘special’ type o comedy. You can watch the movie trailer below:

    Maryam

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  • The 2016 edition of the Toronto Film Festival is gradually coming to an end but not without Nigerians being incredibly proud of our very own Nollywood.

    For one, the Nigerian industry made its way to the City to City programme of the festival. Also, some Nigerian celebrities dished out an unbelievable dose of slayage that made us totally love-struck.

    1. When Zainab Balogun, gave us just the right amount of slay.

    2. Adesua Etomi’s fierce look in her stunning yellow dress.

    3. Banky W just keeps it dapper all the time!

    4. Mummy Genevieve being her usual fashionably classy self.

    5. That time Somkele Idhlama, served legs in this pretty black dress.

    6. When RMD showed us he is the definition of fine wine.

    7. Beverly Naya totally killed it with her red dress.

    8. That time Zainab Balogun proved she was born to slay.

    9. When Chidi Mokeme showed he is still a hottie.

    10. Somkele Idhlama looked even better in this two piece set.

    Maryam

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  • For the first time in the history of the prestigious Toronto International Film Festival (TIFF), 8 Nollywood movies were showcased in the festival’s City to City programme.

    This impressive feat not only proved that Nollywood is definitely on the way to greatness, also, international actors of African descent including Lupita N’yongo and David Oyelowo showed their support.

    Speaking to an audience at the City to City: Lagos opening, an excited David Oyelowo was too happy to be in the midst of people who could properly pronounce his name without adding extra ‘phone’.

    His speech was not only inspiring but the funniest we’ve seen in a while as he perfectly mimicked the typical Nigerian parent’s reaction to their child going into acting.

    We hope to see a Nollywood on the Academy Award playing field soon, but in the meantime, you can watch David Oyelowo’s speech below:

    Maryam

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  • QUIZ: Can You Guess Which Of These Nollywood Film Titles Are Real?
    We know Nollywood movie titles can be a bit extra sometimes. But can you guess which of these ones are real? Take this quiz to find out.

    Maryam

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  • 1. After School Hours

    Honestly, this movie made people think twice before eating puff puff.

    2. Witches

    Remember ‘Ekuku le ku’ and the horrific nails on the witches?

    3. Koto Aiye

    This Yoruba movie was the stuff nightmares were made off.

    4. Living In Bondage

    This movie made many of us scared of going to the toilet at night.

    5. Nneka The Pretty Serpent

    In all honesty, there was nothing pretty about this movie.

    6. Diamond Ring

    Instead of just saying “It’s not good to steal”, they made this movie about an angry ghost that lost a diamond ring.

    7. Last Burial

    This was the movie that launched Clem Ohameze’s acting career as the perpetual ritualist.

    8. Agbara Nla

    When Mount Zion started making their good Vs evil films that couldn’t be more frightening.

    9. Karishika

    Karishika Karishika, queen of darkness, Lucifer Lucifer, King of demons.

    10. Blood Money

    The name says it all.

    11. Full Moon

    We can never forgive Nollywood for this movie sha.

    12. End Of The Wicked

    Alex Usifo basically drank blood from beginning and end of this movie!

    Maryam

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  • A Nigerian Animated Film Is Set to Hit Cinemas This June And It Features DJ Cuppy & Desmond Elliot

    After three years of production, a Nigerian animated movie, The Secret Princess, produced by Segun Williams, is set to be released in cinemas this June.

    The Secret Princess is about how a king’s efforts towards having a male heir leads to the switching of two new-born babies.

    It explores a missing princess’s experience while living in the jungle with her mother and speaking to animals.

    ​Playing the lead character in this movie is DJ Cuppy, with supporting roles by both local and international actors, including Desmond Elliot.

    The movie, adapted from a book of the same title addresses issues such as discrimination against male and female children.

    Watch the movie trailer here:

    https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cGL5N3u9Ka4

    Maryam

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  • After Working With Kunle Afolayan, This Haitan Actor Thinks Nollywood Is The Best thing Since Sliced Bread
    Not every time bash Nollywood, sometimes give them props.

    Because for every not-so-great movie and confusing translation…

    People like Tunde Kelani, Stephanie Linus, Emem Isong and Kunle Afolayan come through with awesome movies that make us fall in love with Nollywood all over again.

    After blessing us with The Figurine and the award winning October 1, Kunle Afolayan has made a new movie, titled The CEO, and it first premiered on a flight from Lagos to Paris.

    One of the actors, Haitian Jimmy Jean Louise, (aka the hot guy from Phat Girls) who was in Nigeria for the official premiere of the movie couldn’t stop gushing about Nollywood and Nigeria.

    According to him, Nigeria is one of Africa’s leading countries with the most potential and power. He even added that Nollywood has a better representation of African cinema. Nice!

    The CEO movie should be a mind-blowing movie, anyway, we expect nothing short of perfection from Kunle Afolayan.

    The movie which also features Angelique Kidjo, is about a group of top executives of a multi-national company who begin to die mysteriously during a short business trip. Watch the movie trailer here.

    Maryam

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  • The Man, The Legend, Pete Edochie
    Whenever you see a movie poster with this man on it, just know he will use the line “the elders say”. The Nigerian embodiment of Solomon, we think he should have a book out already. Take a look at these posts by people who want to be him.

    1. For you guys that love food more than life.

    https://twitter.com/Pete_Edochie/status/650276800451477505

    2. When you’re thinking the elders don’t know about #SeizeTheBae.

    https://twitter.com/Pete_Edochie/status/649087182083391488

    3. For those of you waiting for the “perfect moment” listen.

    https://twitter.com/Pete_Edochie/status/651650150545424384

    4. Are you trying to toast a babe that has never had a good relationship?

    https://twitter.com/Pete_Edochie/status/646283570785452032

    5. When a bus conductor asks a person in a G Wagon “who are you?”

    https://twitter.com/peteedochi/status/624645486763446273

    6. Did you steal someone’s boyfriend? Or meat from the pot?

    https://twitter.com/Pete_Edochie/status/689566492761915393

    7. Sometimes some people are not just your mate.

    https://twitter.com/Pete_Edochie/status/688336844505886720

    8. Are you about to start a fight you can’t handle?

    9. Just a quick reminder that sometimes your person can be your enemy.

    https://twitter.com/Pete_Edochie/status/631868583795159040

    10. Are you always hungry? Here’s your excuse.

    https://twitter.com/Pete_Edochie/status/564514173749825538

    11. If you ever thought the elders aren’t technology savvy.

    https://twitter.com/Pete_Edochie/status/622439265348243456

    12. Another perfect example of ‘You think you’re doing me, you’re doing yourself.

    https://twitter.com/EdochieWisdom/status/173323774798737408

    13. ​And if you were ever wondering who wisdom don epp, this quote will tell you.

    Tobi Smith

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  • 11 Videos That Prove Odunlade Is God’s Gift To Nollywood

    Odunlade Adekola is one of the best actors Nollywood can boast of.

    And everyone loves him.

    https://twitter.com/Abstractflaws/status/705604968573771777

    From making us shriek with laughter to his ridiculously hilarious clapbacks, here are 11 reasons Odunlade Adekola is God’s gift to Nollywood:

    1. When he dealt with his long throat friend.

    https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SdWW85Gwj8o
    This is an important life lesson here: Always hold your own money!

    2. When he was just badass.

    https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BoknwN4rZ7E
    And transformed into the king of the streets.

    3. Who else can clapback like Odunlade? No one!!!

    https://twitter.com/Kingwole/status/704401165488951296
    Nollywood, what is a fly-whisk please?

    4. When you’re waiting for the love of your life and your girlfriend suddenly appears.

    https://www.instagram.com/p/BCkN2jcmmFJ/
    Because nothing should come in the way of love.

    5. How to get away with serial cheating.

    She caught him cheating and he flipped that shit. What a man! pic.twitter.com/RhJUqWtcPh

    — Wole II (@Kingwole) February 22, 2016 Through blame shifting and turning tables, of course.

    6. Blessing us with his greatness…

    https://twitter.com/Kingwole/status/701866437451915264
    Even without saying a word.

    7. When he trolled this poor blind beggar.

    https://www.instagram.com/p/BAqMi4MGmNq/
    LMAO!

    8. And he was effortlessly girly here.

    https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TDPgaIZ4GUY
    Seriously, give this guy an Oscar… just kidding!

    9. When he threw shade at a female Babalawo without giving one damn.

    LOL! He called her “Madam”.

    10. When he gave his gateman premium advice.

    https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=V29XRV9PuvU
    With the straightest face ever.

    11. We love him even more because he is quite the charmer.

    https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GI9cfdJT2g0
    He could even steal your girl from you.

    Maryam

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  • The 2016 Oscars Were Exactly Like A Nollywoood Movie And Here’s Why
    The most critically-acclaimed Academy Awards happened recently and some of the things that happened made us nearly fall off our chairs in shock and laughter. Here are some of the things that made the Oscars feel like a Nollywood  movie script.

    The host of the awards, Chris Rock began by throwing major shade at the organisers for the lack of diversity the categories had.

    https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nsTs-xNuBms
    He came mercilessly for everybody.

    He then proceeded to troll Will and Jada Smith for boycotting the Oscars.

    https://www.instagram.com/p/BCXqkz8whrt/?tagged=chrisrock
    Did anybody even invite them in the first place?

    He reminded us of Patience Ozokwor, the one and only revered queen of shade in Nollywood.

    Only her can begin an opening scene launching missiles of shade on everybody.

    After being snubbed four times, and pulling an Nkiru Sylvanus on the world with his role in The Revenant movie…

    And being extremely pitiful…

    Can you spot the difference between this man and Nkiru Sylvanus?

    Leonardo Dicarprio finally won the Oscar he had been crying for.

    YASS!

    And just like how we sometimes expect to see Ramsey Nouah slay a nice movie and the directors choose to snub him and slap Emeka Ike on our faces instead…

    Because one-syllable-at-a-time-speaking Emeka does it better than everybody else.

    The Academy also chose to snub awesome nominated movies like The Martian and Star Wars and awarding movies like Spotlight and The Hateful Eight.

    This Ela was unnecessary sha.

    And the mother of plot twists, right after making this ridiculous statement….

    This happened.

    When you have to do the dance of shame in the market.

    Not to forget, the dramatic wardrobe assemble.

    Because stylish clothes are too mainstream.

    When you have to be young and be someone’s old fairy god mother at the same time.

    The lack of diversity is currently being addressed by the Academy. In the light of that, we look forward to when Nigerian and in general, African movies will make a big impact in the international scene.

    Maryam

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  • Which Nollywood Actress Are You?



    Maryam

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