Nigeria’s film industry, popularly known as Nollywood, has continued to demonstrate remarkable resilience, recording a 60 percent surge in box-office earnings in 2024, according to the latest data released by the Cinema Exhibitors Association of Nigeria (CEAN). The industry generated about ₦11.5 billion in ticket sales, up from ₦7.2 billion in 2023, reflecting strong audience engagement and renewed confidence in local cinema culture.
The CEAN report attributed the growth to a mix of high-quality local productions, expanding cinema infrastructure, and strategic partnerships with global distributors. The report also credited the surge to a growing appetite for Nigerian stories told through modern cinematography and relatable themes that resonate with both domestic and diaspora audiences.
Despite economic challenges such as inflation, reduced disposable income, and the lingering effects of fuel price hikes, cinema attendance in major urban centers like Lagos, Abuja, Port Harcourt, and Enugu remained strong throughout the year. CEAN noted that local films accounted for more than 45 percent of total ticket sales, outperforming several international blockbusters released during the same period.
Among the top-grossing films of 2024 were “A Tribe Called Judah” by Funke Akindele, “Afamefuna”, and “Malaika”, which collectively contributed billions of naira to the overall box-office revenue. The dominance of female-led productions also marked a defining trend, underscoring the growing influence of women in Nollywood’s creative and commercial leadership.
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Commenting on the report, CEAN Chairman Opeyemi Ajayi described the performance as “a vote of confidence in Nigeria’s storytelling industry,” adding that the steady audience turnout amid economic pressures highlights cinema’s role as an affordable escape and a unifying cultural experience.
Industry analysts say the growth signals increasing investor confidence and points to the expanding viability of Nigeria’s entertainment market. Streaming platforms such as Netflix and Amazon Prime Video are also credited with complementing cinema releases by creating additional visibility and revenue streams for filmmakers.
However, CEAN warned that sustaining the upward trajectory will require policy support, lower taxes, and improved security around cinema clusters to encourage further investment. The association also called for the establishment of a national film fund to support independent producers.
With projections indicating that box-office revenues could exceed ₦15 billion by the end of 2025, experts believe Nollywood is entering a new phase of commercial maturity — one that could rival South Africa and Egypt as Africa’s leading film economies.