By Habeeb Ibrahim
Nigerian cinema has witnessed yet another historic moment as Funke Akindele’s latest blockbuster, Everybody Loves Jenifa (ELJ), becomes the fastest Nollywood movie to cross the ₦1 billion mark, achieving this feat in just 19 days.
The comedy-drama continues to set unprecedented records, already grossing ₦1.034 billion as of December 28, 2024. The film, which debuted earlier this month, has not only dominated December cinema sales but also accounted for a remarkable 40% of the box office earnings in the month.
Breaking Records
Everybody Loves Jenifa has surpassed milestones that seemed insurmountable, including being the first Nollywood film to gross over ₦500 million in just 12 days. As of December 26, it recorded 201,604 total admissions, with peak sales of ₦256.4 million on Boxing Day alone – the highest single-day earnings in Nigerian cinema history.
This latest success cements Akindele’s position as the queen of Nollywood, as she holds the top three highest-grossing movies in Nigerian cinema history. Her previous titles include:
1. A Tribe Called Judah – ₦1.4 billion
2. Battle on Buka Street – ₦668 million
3. Omo Ghetto: The Saga – ₦636 million
Other notable films in the top 10 list include The Wedding Party (₦452 million) and King of Thieves (₦320 million).
Beyond Nigerian shores, Everybody Loves Jenifa has earned $200,000 during its opening weekend across nine international territories, including the UK, USA, Canada, and Australia.
Nile Media Entertainment Group revealed that ticket sales between December 20 and 26 hit an all-time high of ₦1.02 billion, with Everybody Loves Jenifa leading the pack at ₦426.9 million. Other top performers during the period include Mufasa (₦173 million) and Alakada: Bad and Boujee (₦127.3 million).
“This milestone reflects the passion and creativity of Nigerian filmmakers,” Nile Media stated, adding that it’s a testament to the growing appetite for local stories.
Still showing in cinemas nationwide, Everybody Loves Jenifa is expected to surpas A Tribe Called Judah to become the highest-grossing Nollywood movie of all time.
With her consistent box office dominance, Funke Akindele continues to raise the bar for Nigerian cinema, proving that homegrown talent and stories can compete on a global stage.
