Entertainment
AY Emerges Richest Nigerian Film Producer
Nigerian comedian Ayo Makun popularly known as ‘AY’ has emerged as the richest Nigerian film producer with four movies in top 10 highest grossing Nollywood movies. It is on record that Nollywood produces thousands of movies year with most of these movies yielding very low returns.
However, in the midst of these low yielding movies which comfortably rank above the 100 million naira high grossing mark and these movies make up our list of top 10 highest grossing movies in Nollywood.
Nollywood stands out as the largest movie industry in the world in terms of production rate, however, it is ranked third on the money and due to the huge disparity between the top quality (high grossing) movies and the relatively (low grossing) ones which by a long stretch dominate Nollywood.
The Top 10 Highest Grossing Nollywood
These movies have been ranked (from lowest to highest) based on generated revenue from online streaming, DVD/CD sales and cinema views among others.
Fifty: This is a Nollywood classic produced and released in 2015 and ranks 10th on the list. Since 2015, it has grossed close to 95 million naira and the only movie on the list with less than 100 million naira gross revenue produced and directed by Mo’Abudu and Bamidele Biyi respectively. Among the casts are Omoni Oboli, Ireti Doyle, Dakore Egbuson – Akande, Nse Ikpe Etim and Wale Ojo among others.
It is distributed by film one and released to the cinemas across the country on December 18, 2015.
30 Days In Atlanta: This movie was produced and released in 2014 and has gross approximately 138 million naira on Nollywood box office revenue chart. The romance – comedy movie was produced by Ay, it became the highest grossing movie in Nollywood, and parades the following costs: Ramsey Nouah, AY, Richard Mofe Damijo (RMD), Desmond Elliot, Omoni Oboli, Juliet Ibrahim and Majid Michel. It was shot in Lagos, Nigeria and Atlanta, United States of America (USA) .
10 Days In Suncity: Another ingenuous production by AY released on June 17, 2017. Since then, it has generated close to 177 million naira in revenue shot in Suncity South Africa and Lagos, Nigeria. Its casts are: AY (lead character), Adesua Etomi RMD, Falz Falana, Mercy Johnson, 2 Face Idibia Gerno Ajhibadi, Fathia Balogun and Alexx-Ekubo, among others.
A Trip To Jamaica: Another thriller from AY released in September 25, 2016 and went on to displace 30 days in Atlanta as the highest grossing movie, it was later displaced by the wedding party that same year just after one month of dominance.
A trip to Jamaica has so far grossed approximately 180 million naira in revenue. The casts include: AY, Funke Akindele, Eric Roberts Nse Ikpe Etim, Chris Attob, Olamide, Pat Ranking etc.
Merry Men: The real Yoruba demons: This is AY’s 2018 production and arguably the best and highest grossing movie released last year with a gross earning of 230 million naira in revenue. The four main cast in the movie are Ayo Makun (Ayo) Folarin Falana (Falz) as ‘Remi’ Martins’ Jim Iyke (as Naz) and Ramsy Nouah. Others are Richard Mofe Damijo (RMD).
Ireti Doyle, Lilian Esoro, Damilola Adegbite Jide Kosoko etc.
King Of Boys: A though provoking political thriller, written directed and co-produced by Kemi Adetiba, released on October 2018 and has so far grossed in excess of 231 million naira. The cast include Sola Sobowale (Alhaja Salami) the lead character, Adesua Etomi (as Kemi Salami), Jide Kosoko (Alhaji Salami) etc.
Chief Daddy: The highest grossing movie in 2018 with a current domestic gross of 386 million naira, produced and directed by Mo’Abudu cast: Zainab Balogun, Falz, Linda Ejifor, Patience Ozokwor, Funke Akindele etc.
The Wedding Party: Directed by Kemi Adetiba with current domestic gross of 453 million naira the prominent cast of the movie are Adesua Etomi, lead actress and Bankole Wellington (Banky W) lead actor, Sola Sobowale, Ali Baba, RMD, Daniella Down, Zainab Balogun, Beverly Naya, and Ikechuwu.
The Wedding Party 2: First Nollywood movie to reach the 500 million naira mark. It is the highest grossing movie in Nollywood, it has the same cast as the wedding party !. it stands head and shoulders above other Nollywood movies.
Lion Heart: The Lion Heart is the first and only Nollywood movie to hit the billion nair mark after the $300,000 + (over one billion naira acquisition by Netflix).
Popular businessman and socialite, Pascal Okechukwu, aka Cubana Chief Priest, has said that his relationship with singer Davido is beyond money and gossip.
He stated this in a recent interview with BBC Igbo.
“Davido is my friend. He is my in-law; he married Chioma who is from Imo State where I hail from.
“So the relationship I have with Davido is beyond money and gossip,” he said.
DAILY POST reports that Chief Priest disclosed via his Instagram page that his outfit for the wedding of the singer, Davido and his wife, Chioma, in Lagos on Tuesday cost seven million Naira.
The socialite recently appreciated Davido for not “discarding” Chioma.
He stated that the DMW boss has made Imo State proud by choosing to marry from the state.
Nigerian singer Simisola Kosoko, popularly known as Simi, has lent her voice to the ongoing anti-tax hike protests in Kenya.
The Tide’s source reports that Kenyan youths are marching against tax hike in widespread demonstrations tagged ‘RejectFinanceBill2024.’
Five people were shot dead and dozens wounded after police clashed with protesters who stormed the parliament building in Nairobi on Tuesday, according to Amnesty Kenya.
Reacting via her X handle on Tuesday night, Simi declared her support for the demonstrators.
She stated that “it is both powerful and heartbreaking for a people to have to fight and die for freedoms and rights.”
The singer wrote, “I stand with the people of Kenya. It is both powerful and heartbreaking for a people to have to fight and die for freedoms and rights. Godspeed and Strength. [Hash tag] RejectFinanceBill2024.”
In a series of other posts, she wrote: “Wow. When you’ve had enough, the fight is almost inevitable.
“African leaders- have not you done enough?
“I can’t wait for the day Africa is not a weapon fashioned against Africans. All of this amazing Black power and human resource, but the majority are not likely to thrive unless they run.”
Famous Nigerian Afrobeat singer, Davido was spotted among other top artistes at Asake’s ‘Lungu Boy’ tour concert in Atlanta, Georgia.
Asake’s performance at his sold-out show at the 17,000-capacity State Farm Arena in Atlanta began on August 16, 2024, and is set to run for 10 days.
In a trending video on social media, Davido appeared backstage with American rapper Quavo to support Asake during the live performance.
Other musicians in attendance included Nigerian hitmaker Zlatan and American rapper Russ Millions.
The Tide’s source reports that Asake’s ‘Lungu Boy’ tour is set to cover six U.S. cities, where he will headline notable venues including Madison Square Garden in New York, the Toyota Center in Houston, and the State Farm Arena in Atlanta.
Asake’s tour comes just days after the release of his latest hit, ‘Lungu Boy,’ which features several superstars, including Wizkid, British rappers Central Cee and Stormzy, Travis Scott and Brazilian singer Ludmilla.
‘Lungu Boy’ set a new record for the biggest opening week on Spotify Nigeria, garnering 18.9 million streams in its opening week and breaking the previous record of 14.4 million streams held by Davido’s ‘Timeless.’