Manny Ita
In a structural shift that has redefined the regional entertainment landscape, Nollywood has officially surpassed Hollywood to become the primary revenue driver in the West African cinema market. Data released by FilmOne Entertainment in January 2026 confirms that for the first time in recorded history, local Nigerian productions accounted for 49.4% of the total box office gross, narrowly edging out Hollywood’s 48.8%. This milestone represents a significant leap from 2024, when Hollywood maintained a majority share of 52% against Nollywood’s 46%.
The regional box office closed the 2025 calendar year with a historic ₦15.6 billion (approximately $10.4 million) in total revenue, marking a 34.7% year-on-year increase. While the market featured a diverse array of content—including 92 Hollywood blockbusters and 52 Indian titles—the 81 Nollywood films released proved more effective at drawing audiences. Local “Box Office Queens” Funke Akindele and Toyin Abraham have been central to this surge; Akindele’s Behind The Scenes became the first West African film to shatter the ₦2 billion barrier, while Abraham’s Oversabi Aunty recently crossed the ₦1 billion milestone.
Industry analysts attribute this takeover to a combination of factors, including increased cinema infrastructure and a “value-for-money” preference among audiences facing economic inflation. “The near-parity between Nollywood and Hollywood market shares signals a structural shift… with local content now commanding the largest portion of ticket sales,” reported industry observers. This trend has continued into the first month of 2026, with local films currently occupying six of the top ten spots on the weekly charts, consistently outperforming global franchises like Avatar 3 and 28 Years Later in regional admissions.
As the industry looks toward the remainder of 2026, experts predict that the momentum of homegrown stories will push the market to even greater heights. With 14 Nollywood titles already having grossed over ₦100 million individually in the past year, the sector is being viewed less as an emerging market and more as a matured commercial powerhouse. The success of the “Nollywood Acceleration” strategy is expected to drive a projected 15% increase in ticket sales this year, further cementing the domestic industry’s dominance over international imports.
