The Nigerian entertainment industry in 2025 was defined by record-breaking commercial success, expanding global recognition, and public controversies. These are some of the figures and events that stood out:
Film and Television
Nollywood producer and actress Omoni Oboli emerged as one of the most influential film figures of the year following the success of her YouTube productions. Her romantic drama Love in Every Word surpassed 30 million views, becoming the most searched Nollywood film on Google in 2025. The sequel, Love in Every Word: The Wedding, sustained the momentum, helping Oboli’s YouTube channel reach the top position among Nigerian creators. Lead actors Uzor Arukwe and Bamike “Bambam” Adenibuyan gained widespread attention for their performances, with character names like ‘Achalugo’ and ‘Odogwu’ entering everyday slang.
Popular Nollywood actor Daniel Etim Effiong made his directorial debut with the film, The Herd, which quickly gained nationwide recognition due to its alignment with the current realities of Nigeria. The film made over ₦137.7 million in Cinemas. It was later released on Netflix.
Veteran actress Ini Edo saw controversy over the cinema release of A Very Dirty Christmas, directed by Akay Mason. Shortly after its release in December, the Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN) criticised the film’s title, describing it as “offensive and disrespectful to the sacred nature of Christmas.” In a statement dated December 18, CAN said, “Linking such a holy celebration with the word ‘dirty’ diminishes its spiritual meaning.” Ini Edo later apologised, stating, “There was no malicious intent. I am sorry to anyone offended.” The National Film and Video Censors Board confirmed the film had been approved following standard review procedures.
Funke Akindele has also reinforced her status as Nollywood’s most commercially successful filmmaker. Everybody Loves Jenifa crossed ₦1.8 billion in domestic box office revenue, becoming the highest-grossing Nollywood film to date. Her December release, Behind the Scenes, earned ₦200 million in its opening weekend, the largest opening of 2025. It is currently the highest-grossing 2025 Nollywood film with over ₦514 million.
On the international stage, director Akinola Davies Jr. made history when My Father’s Shadow premiered at the 78th Cannes Film Festival in May. The film received a Special Mention for the Caméra d’Or, marking the first Nigerian feature to premiere at the festival.
Media executive Mo Abudu, founder of EbonyLife Group, was named to TIME magazine’s 100 Most Influential People of 2025. In November, she launched EbonyLife On Plus, a digital platform combining film, education, fashion, and live experiences. Abudu described it as “a complete lifestyle ecosystem for African audiences.” She was also named along with Ngozi Okonjo Iweala amongst Forbes’ 2025 World Most Powerful Women.
Music and Live Performance
Afrobeats remained Nigeria’s most visible cultural export. Davido released his fifth studio album, 5IVE, which recorded over 320 million streams on Spotify. In June, he headlined the 60,000-capacity Tottenham Hotspur Stadium in London. His wedding to Chioma Avril Rowland in August, widely referred to as #Chivido2025, became one of the most publicised celebrity events of the year.
Wizkid reclaimed the position of Nigeria’s most-streamed artiste, with Morayo topping Spotify Nigeria’s year-end chart. His documentary, Wizkid: Long Live Lagos, premiered on HBO in September, tracing his rise from Lagos to international recognition.
Burna Boy maintained global visibility through tours, festival appearances, and fashion events, including the 2025 Met Gala in New York. His album No Sign of Weakness surpassed 250 million Spotify streams. However, he faced criticism following separate incidents involving fans at concerts in Colorado and London, which circulated widely on social media.
Singer Tems won the Grammy Award for Best Music Performance in February for Love Me Jeje. She later performed at the opening ceremony of the FIFA Club World Cup, reinforcing her global standing.
Gospel musician Gaise Baba achieved mainstream success when his song No Turning Back II featuring Lawrence Oyor became the most-viewed Nigerian music video on YouTube in 2025, with over 41 million views.
Other artists who recorded strong performances included Ayra Starr, named Nigeria’s most-streamed female artiste; Rema, who led Nigerian acts on YouTube Music; and Asake, whose performances and international fashion appearances sustained his popularity despite personal and professional disputes.
Digital Influence
Influencer and entrepreneur Priscilla Ojo-Mkambala gained continental attention following her wedding to Tanzanian musician Juma Jux, held across Monaco, Dubai, and Iceland between May and August. The events generated sustained online engagement and brand partnerships.
Nigerian fashion influencer and actress Temiloluwa “Temi” Otedola, daughter of billionaire businessman Femi Otedola, also married singer and entrepreneur Oluwatosin Ajibade (Mr Eazi).
The wedding process began with a private court ceremony in Monaco on May 9, 2025. Followed by a traditional Yoruba wedding in July 2025 at the Otedola family residence in Dubai, United Arab Emirates. The celebrations concluded with a church wedding in Iceland in August 2025, attended by close family and friends.
After the ceremonies, Temi updated her official social media profiles to adopt her husband’s surname, Ajibade, formally marking the marriage. The wedding attracted widespread public attention, with her sister DJ Cuppy describing the celebrations as “subtle, intimate, and effortlessly elegant.”
Chef Hilda Baci set a new Guinness World Record in September after cooking 8,780 kilograms of Nigerian jollof rice in Lagos, feeding over 20,000 people. Guinness World Records confirmed the achievement in a statement posted on X.
Public Controversies
Several personal disputes dominated headlines. Actress Regina Daniels and Senator Ned Nwoko confirmed their separation in October following weeks of public allegations. Music legend 2Baba announced his divorce from Annie Macaulay in January and later remarried privately, drawing mixed public reactions.
Gospel singer Mercy Chinwo accused her former manager, EeZee Tee, of withholding royalties in January. Rapper Eedris Abdulkareem faced broadcast bans in April and November after releasing politically critical songs.
Literature and Legacy
Writer Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie revealed in February that she had welcomed twins via surrogacy. Weeks later, she released Dream Count, her first novel in over a decade. She went on to receive three major European literary awards, including Germany’s Felix Jud Prize for Defiant Thinking.
The industry also mourned the death of filmmaker Kayode Peters, who passed away in Toronto on June 28 at the age of 49. Tributes described him as a key figure in modern Nigerian comedy and television.
Ultimately, Nigeria’s entertainment industry showed commercial success, international recognition, and platform ownership expanded significantly.
