Lagos State Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu, alongside the Nigeria Film Corporation (NFC), has lauded filmmaker Funke Akindele for her remarkable film, 'Behind The Scenes', which has generated over N2.4 billion at the box office.
Governor Sanwo-Olu expressed his admiration for the film's compelling plot during a private screening, highlighting that the actress has set a new benchmark within the Nollywood industry.
Since its release on December 12, 2025, 'Behind The Scenes' has quickly become the fastest film in West Africa to hit the N1 billion mark, eventually surging past the N2 billion threshold, making it the first Nollywood film to reach such a milestone.
In an Instagram post, Governor Sanwo-Olu reflected on the historic achievement, indicating that it marks a pivotal moment for Nigeria's film sector. "I was delighted to attend a private showing of Behind The Scenes, and I want to extend my congratulations to Funke Akindele and her dedicated team,” he stated.
Sanwo-Olu further emphasized the significance of this accomplishment, saying, “Creating a film that resonates deeply with a nation is no small feat. The transition past N2 billion at the box office underscores a big win for Funke and signifies a historic achievement for the Nigerian creative industry.”
He applauded Akindele, noting that her storytelling talent and commitment to her craft have set a higher standard for Nollywood, illustrating the potential for local stories to gain global recognition.
"Funke, your passion for your art and your capacity to relay stories that resonate emotionally with our audience is truly commendable. You are elevating the expectations of what is achievable in Nollywood, demonstrating that with commitment and clarity of purpose, our narratives can find success on the world stage," he remarked.
The Nigeria Film Corporation, the principal federal authority overseeing the development of the nation's cinema, also celebrated Akindele's remarkable box office success. In a statement shared via Instagram by NFC's managing director, Ali Nuhu, the film was described as achieving a “record-breaking commercial performance” that transcended African borders, with significant success in the UK and Ireland markets.
“The NFC extends its heartfelt congratulations to Ms. Funke Akindele along with the entire team behind 'Behind The Scenes' for this exceptional achievement in African cinema. It is now officially over N2 billion in revenues, a first for any Nollywood film within Africa,” Nuhu stated.
He also highlighted the movie’s strong performance in multiple regions, including the UK and Ireland, where it is recognized as the leading Nollywood film. “This production has resonated widely, signifying not just a local but also a global appeal. Its release on December 12, 2025, established it as a film gaining historical acclaim across the industry, showcasing the continued evolution in Nollywood’s creative and commercial potential,” he asserted.
Nuhu accentuated the collective success of the film, crediting its strategic production and professional casting that helped achieve commercial and artistic growth, and noted that 'Behind The Scenes' recorded the highest single-day box office gross in Nollywood history on Boxing Day, bringing in N129.5 million.
This groundbreaking success underscores the growing strength of Nigeria’s film industry and its capability to compete on an international level, emphasizing that the NFC sees the triumph of 'Behind The Scenes' as a significant win for Nollywood and for storytelling from the region on global platforms.
Comments (0)
You must be logged in to comment.
Be the first to comment on this article!