Despite the challenges facing Nigerian filmmakers, Nollywood continues to rake in billions annually, thanks to stars like Funke Akindele, Toyin Abraham, and Femi Adebayo.

Following the record-breaking success of her 2023 film A Tribe Called Judah, which grossed over ₦1 billion, Akindele’s 2025 festive release, Behind The Scenes, has surpassed ₦1.7 billion in revenue as of December 2025. The film, released on December 12, may even approach the ₦2 billion mark, setting a new milestone for Nigerian cinema.

Akindele expressed gratitude to fans and collaborators, saying, “Forever grateful to God and my fans. Thank you for the love and support over the years. Big thanks to the distributors, cast, crew, and colleagues.”

Other Nollywood heavyweights also contributed significantly to the industry’s revenue. Toyin Abraham’s Oversabi Aunty earned ₦711 million in just 18 days, while Femi Adebayo’s Ageshinkole 2, screened in selected community cinemas at a flat rate of ₦3,000, grossed ₦417 million in 12 days. Adebayo explained his strategy: “The idea was to open another channel of revenue and meet fans halfway, especially those who cannot afford cinema prices or travel distances. Circuit TV helped ensure the content wasn’t pirated.”

Together, these three filmmakers added nearly ₦2.9 billion to Nollywood’s GDP in 2025, underlining the industry’s growing influence on the national economy.

While cinema operators often earn more than filmmakers due to the structure of revenue distribution, the Cinema and Exhibitors Association of Nigeria (CEAN) stressed that screen allocations are based on audience demand and ticket sales, not favoritism. CEAN also encouraged filmmakers to use formal channels for disputes, suggesting roundtable discussions to ensure fair screen time for all productions.