The Federal Government has commended actress, producer, and director Funke Akindele after her 2025 film Behind The Scenes made history, grossing over ₦2.1 billion, the first Nollywood movie to surpass the ₦2 billion mark at the domestic box office.
Released nationwide on December 12, 2025, the film quickly drew massive crowds, earning over ₦512 million in its first 12 days.
By January 12, 2026, it had officially crossed ₦2 billion, cementing Akindele’s status as one of Africa’s most commercially successful filmmakers.
In a statement on Monday, January 26, 2026, the National Orientation Agency hailed the milestone as a major boost for Nigeria’s creative industry and a sign of the growing global recognition of Nigerian storytelling.
The agency also noted that Akindele is the first filmmaker to top the African box office for three consecutive years, highlighting her consistency and Nollywood’s rising influence.
The statement added that the success of Behind The Scenes demonstrates the expanding reach of Nigeria’s film industry, strengthens Nollywood’s international profile, and marks a proud moment for the country’s cultural and creative sectors.
The film follows a successful entrepreneur whose generosity toward family, friends, and her community begins to strain her personal life, a theme that resonated widely with audiences.
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Behind The Scenes features a star-studded cast, including Scarlet Gomez, Iyabo Ojo, Destiny Etiko, Tobi Bakre, Uzor Arukwe, Uche Montana, Ini Dima‑Okojie, and Ibrahim Chatta.
Industry analysts say its record-breaking performance underscores Nollywood’s growing commercial strength and the maturity of its domestic and continental markets.
With three consecutive billion-naira films, Akindele continues to prove she is one of Africa’s most bankable filmmakers.