President Bola Tinubu has congratulated Nigerian filmmakers Damilola Osikoya of Switch Visual Production and Nora Awolowo of Rixel Studios after Black Market set a Guinness World Record for the largest attendance at a film screening.
The record was achieved on Saturday, September 26, 2026, when 51,000 qualifying viewers watched the film at Tafawa Balewa Square, Lagos, surpassing the previous record of 43,624 set in 2015 during a screening of Felix Manalo in the Philippines.
Tinubu’s message was contained in a statement issued on Monday, September 28, by his Special Adviser on Information and Strategy, Bayo Onanuga.
The President commended the filmmakers for their creativity and enterprise, saying the feat demonstrated the potential of Nigeria’s creative industry to generate businesses, jobs and new markets for local talent.
He said Nigeria’s film, music, fashion and art sectors were also helping to project the country’s stories and culture to global audiences.
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Tinubu described the Black Market achievement as evidence of what could be accomplished when creativity was matched with enterprise and scale.
He reaffirmed his administration’s commitment to creating opportunities for young Nigerians to turn their talents into sustainable livelihoods and globally competitive businesses.
The President also commended the cast, crew, organizers and other stakeholders involved in the production and screening.
Although Lagos State Deputy Governor Obafemi Hamzat put the overall turnout at about 64,000, Guinness World Records recognized 51,000 viewers who remained throughout the screening as the qualifying attendance.
The record attempt had been announced before the premiere, with organizers targeting at least 50,000 viewers to surpass the 2015 benchmark.