This question is becoming as ubiquitous as the number of movies we see springing up on YouTube. 

More Nigerians are turning to YouTube to consume feature films. And because of this, even established filmmakers are bringing their work to the yard 鈥� Kunle Afolayan uploaded his classics 鈥� and creating exclusive movies for the platform. 

YouTube has slowly become a major platform for film consumption in Nigeria, especially because of the accessibility as compared to cinemas and paid streaming platforms. 

One of the most talked-about Nigerian movies in 2025, Omoni Oboli’s , debuted on YouTube and has racked up over 32 million views and counting. That means an estimated 1 in 8 Nigerians have watched it.This raises an important question: Is YouTube just a convenient alternative for the moment, or are we watching the early stages of a larger shift? 

A not-so-straightforward history 

In many ways, modern Nollywood was born out of a rebellion against traditional gatekeepers. 

Before independence, much of what Nigerians watched on screen was controlled by the colonial government. 

Post independence, Nigeria film culture emerged as a distinct art form. Throughout the 1970s and 1980s, filmmakers were making films on celluloid for theatrical release. But celluloid filmmaking was expensive, and as the economy worsened, it became increasingly difficult to sustain. 

In a bid to nationalize the media,the Nigerian Television Authority (NTA) was established in 1977, bringing the country鈥檚 regional television stations under one national network. At the time, some of Nigeria鈥檚 most popular programmes lived on NTA.

However, by the late 1980s, the old models were no longer working. Producers had grown frustrated with the limitations of state-controlled broadcasting, and some, including . This search for new distribution channels coincided with the rise of VHS technology, which offered filmmakers a cheaper, more accessible way to distribute their work independently.

In 1992, Kenneth Nnebue helped prove just how powerful that model could be with the release of Living in Bondage. , Nnebue had imported a large stock of blank VHS cassettes that were not selling as expected. Rather than let them sit idle, he decided to put a film on them. That film was Living in Bondage.

The unprecedented success of Living in Bondage proved that direct-to-video filmmaking could be commercially viable, and it sparked an explosion in production that has not slowed since.

While the stories of the VHS era were enjoyable, I definitely do not miss the movie trailers that were sped up and had seemingly all had the same fast-talking narrator. Or worse, how every movie was seemingly split into countless parts like some kind of cursed pizza. Seriously, did Last Burial really need to have four parts? 

As for the term 鈥淣ollywood,鈥� that came a bit later. It was coined in 2002 by Canadian journalist Norimitsu Onishi in his New York Times article titled: . To be compared to Hollywood and Bollywood, two of the most iconic film industries in the world, was a recognition of just how significant Nigerian cinema had become.

But what is a film industry without cinema? Like an avoidant partner, Nollywood found its way back to cinema releases in the mid 2000s. This era saw a return to films with bigger budgets, more layered stories, and higher quality productions. 

Then came Streaming 

All over the world, technology was changing how people engaged with daily life and movies weren鈥檛 left alone.

Nollywood鈥檚 streaming era began with IrokoTV, a Nigerian owned platform founded by Jason Njoku in 2011. Everyone loves a good story, and in no time, the industry caught the attention of global streaming platforms like Netflix and Amazon Prime video.

However, when the industry needed them the most, they vanished. In 2024, its operations in Africa. Earlier this month, Multichoice announced the . As an aside, I’m really going to miss the Real Housewives of Lagos franchise. 

While these exits are sad and do not mean well for the industry. It is not hard to make sense of. With over , swinging multiple paid subscriptions is a luxury. Ask the average Nigerian why they don’t use streaming platforms, and they鈥檒l ask you how they are supposed to pay for the data AND the subscription.

How YouTube is saving the day: The one-eyed man in the land of the blind

Filmmakers are feeling the squeeze of the streaming exits just as much as the audience.

鈥淲ith the absence of  major global streaming platforms, filmmakers have had to find a way to keep working while still being able to make decent profit,” Mo Fakorede, a Nollywood film director and producer tells me.

“I wouldn鈥檛 say YouTube is a more financially viable platform, rather the platform that somewhat works at the moment,鈥� she adds.

For many, it simply comes down to the ease of doing business. Traditional distribution is notoriously difficult. As film director Tobiloba Rotipin points out: “It’s very expensive to make a film. It’s equally expensive to put a film out. There鈥檚 also the fact that you’re sharing your profits with the government and 20 other entities”

鈥婳n YouTube, creators become their own distributors. “YouTube is one of the quickest distribution channels and fastest way to recoup, especially now that streaming is a bit stiff-necked,鈥� said Becca Ashang, a filmmaker.

All that glitters might not be gold 

While YouTube removes traditional gatekeepers, the platform isn’t a total creative free-for-all. Ashang points out that YouTube’s monetization guidelines act as a new kind of censorship.鈥�”YouTube has stringent rules,” she explains. “It doesn’t allow filmmakers to explore as much as we would want to. Imagine not being able to show action or be as intense or dark as you want in certain movies.鈥� 

鈥婽his restriction, combined with the algorithm’s demand for constant content, has influenced the types of stories being told. Rotipin admits there is an obvious, repetitive pattern to many YouTube films today, stating, “I think it’s worse than the home video era. But what they both have in common is they鈥檙e keeping the industry alive.鈥�

Addressing concerns that YouTube content might be of lower quality, filmmaker Laju Iren in with TechCabal’s Frank Eleanya argues that quality is subjective. “There are some people who don’t really care for a N100 million production. But if a story is good, they are good. You might say I don’t really like this film, but what if 2 million people beg to differ?”

So, is YouTube the definitive future of Nollywood? 

鈥溾�媃ouTube cannot be the future of Nollywood,” Mo Fakorede states plainly. “The budget for YouTube films can鈥檛 make big-budget films, and the industry needs big-budget films to stay alive and survive. Every platform is a necessary evil.”

Similarly, Kunle Afolayan in Summit 2026 summarised it succinctly: 鈥淵ouTube is the biggest platform for young people running solo who want to bypass gatekeepers. For a lot of people who can’t get to the cinema, Netflix, or Prime Video鈥hat is the way to go. But for some of us who want to go international,  it is not the future”.

Rotipin remains optimistic about the traditional big screen, noting that the biggest films recently have still been cinema or Netflix releases. “I don’t believe [YouTube is the future]. There’s a quiet renaissance happening in the industry. I think we have a future as a proper industry, with a proper theatre culture. [YouTube] will keep the industry alive until we circle back to doing cinemas again.”

YouTube may not be the final frontier for Nollywood, but its impact on the industry is already undeniable. It is currently keeping Nollywood鈥檚 stories alive and has enabled emerging filmmakers to bypass traditional gatekeepers while giving audiences easier access to films. 

It may not have revolutionized the art of Nigerian filmmaking, but it has definitely redefined how Nigerian films are distributed and consumed. 

ALSO READ: The Best Nollywood Movies to Watch on YouTube (March 2026)

Bernice, Rhyme, and Jay in Beyonce & Rihanna (2008 )

There’s too much plot to summarise here, but suffice it to say this is one love triangle  where everyone in it should have just stayed single! My goodness. What starts as an intense rivalry between Bernice (Nadia Buari) and Rhyme (Omotola Jalade-Ekeinde) in a singing competition somehow devolves into a super embarrassing fight over a man named Jay (Jim Iyke). 

Bayo, Lena, and Dami in Searching (2024)

Bayo (Eso Dike) took us on a wild ride with his sweeping love for the two beautiful best friends 鈥� Lena (Kiekie) & Dami (Bolaji Ogunmola) 鈥� and honestly, I don鈥檛 blame him. Whom do you choose: Lena, the hilarious half of the duo, or Dami, who is charming in her own unique way? The only downside to this triangle is that the girls are best friends. And I鈥檓 pretty sure there are ancient texts ( i.e. the rules of feminism) that best friends shouldn鈥檛 fight over a man. 

Richard, Sylvia, and Gbemi in Sylvia (2018) 

Maturing is realizing that Sylvia (Zainab Balogun) had every right to be upset. Sylvia and Richard (Chris Attoh) had a good and sweet thing going. They鈥檙e each other鈥檚 day ones and confidantes, only for Richard to abandon her when he suddenly becomes obsessed with Gbemi (Ini-Dima Okojie). Abolish men for real.

Kemi, Umar, and Tunde in Flowergirl (2013)

Kemi (Damilola Adegbite) is a young, impressionable lady dying to get married. When her relationship with Umar (Chris Attoh) begins to go south, she turns to Tunde (Blossom Chukwugekwu), a famous Nollywood movie star, to help her save her relationship by making Umar jealous. Things come to a head when she starts falling for Tunde for real and now has to choose between the two of them.

Demi, Kanla, and Mbali in All’s Fair in Love (2024)

Once again, I have to state that it鈥檚 against the laws of nature for best friends to have the same love interest.  Demi (Deyemi Okanlawon) and Kanla (Timini Egbuson) are childhood friends who are building a business together. In a bid to expand, they hire Mbali (Buhle Samuels) as an executive assistant. Shortly after, they find themselves smitten with her. For best friends who live and work together, I don’t get how Mbali was able to string them along with no suspicion. Shoutout to her for excelling in a field usually dominated by men. 

Isoken, Kevin, and Osaze in Isoken (2017)

The plot of this one is simple: Isoken (Dakore Akande) is a young, successful, and intelligent lady in her mid-thirties. Like many Nigerian women in that stage of life, she’s under pressure from family to get married. In the blink of an eye, Isoken goes from getting no men to having to choose between the handsome, husband material Osaze (Joseph Benjamin) and the sweet and unassuming, Caucasian Kevin (Marc Rhys). 

Toyin, Uche, and Sunday in A Sunday Affair (2022)

Why choose between two best friends when you can show them both shege?  In A Sunday Affair, we are introduced to lifelong besties Toyin (Dakore Akande) and Uche (Nse Ikpe-Etim), who decide to risk it all for a man named Sunday (Oris Erhuero) who is actually MARRIED to someone else but decides to date both of them simultaneously anyway. Truly the messiest love triangle in the history of film. 

Tomide, Rachel, and Imani in Reel Love (2025)

Don鈥檛 you just hate when you come up with the idea for your boyfriend to pretend to date someone to save his career but he falls for that person for real so now you have to resort to increasingly insane hijinks to tear them apart?   That鈥檚 what happens in Reel Love. When influencer Tomide (Timini Egbuson) gets cancelled after a viral fight with a shop assistant named Rachel (TJ Omosuku), his fianc茅e, Imani (Atlanta Johnson) comes up with the most chaotic PR stunt: a fake romance between Tomide and Rachel to win back his fans. You can already guess how this turns out. 

Jemima, Frederick, and Sadiq in Letters to A Stranger (2007)

Jemima (Genevieve Nnaji) is a writer, who, in a bid to escape the issues she鈥檚 having with her boyfriend, Frederick (Fred Amata), starts writing letters to a stranger on her laptop. One day, she dials a wrong number that connects her to Sadiq (Yemi Blaq). She and Sadiq start talking frequently and feelings grow. Now she鈥檚 torn between a bird in the hand (Frederick) and one in the bush (Yemi). 

ALSO READ: Female Nollywood Characters You Had a Crush on Growing Up

There鈥檚 no shortage of great Nigerian shows on YouTube, and interestingly, web series were the original drivers of that space. Here鈥檚 a list of Nigerian TV shows so binge-worthy, you won鈥檛 even think about taking a break.

When Are We Getting Married? (2023鈥�2024)

Number of Seasons: 2

Producer: Red TV

When Are We Getting Married follows the life of two young lovebirds, Hope (Immaculate Oko-Kasum) and Aden (Ric Hassani), as they move in together and grapple with the expectations of marriage along with the ups and downs of cohabitation.

Skinny Girl In Transit (2015鈥�2024)

Number of Seasons: 7

Producer: Ndani TV

Widely considered the 鈥渕other鈥� of modern Nollywood web series, it follows Tiwalade (Abimbola Craig), a plus-sized radio personality, as she navigates pressure from her mother to lose weight and get married. The series chronicles her messy dating life, her eventual journey to self-love and a swoon-worthy romance with Mide (Ayoola Ayoola).

Little Black Book (2021鈥�2022)

Seasons: 2

Producer: TNC Africa

An office romance series featuring Leo (Ikechukwu Onunaku), a young millionaire businessman who develops feelings for Tade (Teniola Aladese), his executive assistant. The show explores their relationship as his journal becomes a diary documenting different women in his life.

Man of Her Dreams (2019鈥�2020)

Number of Seasons: 2

Producer: BukaFedGeeks

Kari (Sonia Irabor) keeps having vivid romantic dreams about a man she doesn鈥檛 and has never met. Her best friend and roommate, Ladi, (Folu Storms) tries to open her eyes to her delusion until an unexpected knock at their door changes everything. As it turns out, chasing a dream can come with consequences.

.

Game On (2020鈥�2022)

Number of Seasons: 2

Producer: Ndani TV

After realising her live-in boyfriend of three years, Leye (Eso Dike), isn鈥檛 planning to propose anytime soon, Mayowa (Ebenezer Eno), with help from her best friend Osaze (Omowunmi Dada), stages a breakup and executes a series of petty moves to push him to put a ring on it.

.

Love Like This (2022)

Number Seasons: 1

Producer: Ndani TV

Love Like This follows several young middle-class Nigerians making mistakes in their search for love. It explores love, lust, friendship and heartbreak among young people.

The Most Toasted Girl (2019鈥�2025)

Number of Seasons: 2

Producer: The Nengers

In this hilarious series, Nengi Adoki plays a popular vlogger with terrible luck in love. Each episode unfolds like a vlog, offering a personal look into her chaotic dating life. Like the episode where we see her dealing with an awkward run-in with her ex at his wedding.

Best Friends in The World (2018鈥�2022)

Number of Seasons: 2

Producer: Neptune 3 Studios

Best Friends in The World is the ultimate secondary school drama. The show revolves around Olive (Jeiel Damina), her best friend Esther (Inemesit Esiet Alfred), and the new boy Adam (Emmanuel Esiet). It鈥檚 a standout series because very few Nigerian shows truly capture the teenage experience. Best Friends in the World does, and it does so with authenticity.

A Heart on The Line (2024)

Number of Seasons: 1

Producer: Bluu TV

Yomi Balogun (Ayoola Ayolola), a charming real estate developer, finds himself drawn to Ella (Mimi Chaka), his sister鈥檚 obstetrician. But things get complicated when he realises her clinic is on the land his company wants to redevelop. His attempt to charm her sets up an enemies-to-lovers story complicated by deception.

The Men鈥檚 Club (2018鈥�2020)

Number of Seasons: 3

Producer: Red TV

TMC is one of the rare Nollywood shows told from a male perspective. It follows four friends: Aminu (Ayoola Ayolola), Louis (Baaj Adebule), Tayo (Efa Iwara), and Lanre (Daniel Etim Effiong), as they navigate the highs and lows of being a young bachelor in Nigeria. 

ALSO READ: 10 Nollywood Movies That Feel Like A Warm Hug

Available exclusively on , the film follows Henrietta (Uzoamaka Power), a passionate literature teacher and single mother, as she notices her student, Ayo (Sapphire Ekeng), struggling academically and withdrawing socially. What begins as a sense of duty to her student slowly grows into something deeper: a bond tested by social stigma and the courage it takes to speak up.

Abba T. Makama is the writer-director of the acclaimed films Green White Green and The Lost Okoroshi. His work has premiered at international festivals including TIFF, BFI London, and Locarno. Known for his surrealist and satirical style, he takes a more restrained approach in Silence Is Loud.

“I approached the film with a minimalist aesthetic, both visually and narratively, allowing the characters and their internal worlds to take centre stage,” says Makama. “The themes, including bullying, sex education, reproductive rights, and the coming-of-age experience, are themes that matter deeply to me.”

It marks the first time Makama has directed a script he did not write, collaborating closely with writers Taspy Gomwalk and Dika Ofoma () to create this masterful narrative. 

Silence Is Loud also stars Ozzy Agu, Judith Audu, and Kunle Akintunde. It is executive-produced by Francis Nebot and produced by Osiris Film and Entertainment.

Watch Silence Is Loud on 91大神’s YouTube channel.

Whether it鈥檚 a shitty day at work, a wonky encounter with a danfo driver or just a general dissatisfaction with life, everyone has bad days. Sometimes, all you really need is a warm hug to make you feel better. And that feeling doesn鈥檛 even need to come from a person. It can come from a movie. Here鈥檚 a list of Nollywood movies that feel exactly like that.

1. Up North (2018)

Running time: 1h 39m

Director: Tope Oshin

Genre: Drama, Romance

Bassey (Banky W), a privileged, rich kid from Lagos, is sent by his strict father to Bauchi State for his National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) year so he can learn that life isn鈥檛 a bed of roses. As he navigates the unfamiliar terrain and culture, he unexpectedly finds friendship and romance among the local community. Now, he must decide whether to return to the comfortable life he’s used to or forge his own path in the place that has captured his heart.

Up North is a gentle reminder that home isn鈥檛 always a place, and it鈥檚 okay to step outside your comfort zone and find beauty in unfamiliar places. 

2. Introducing the Kujus (2020)

Running time: 1h 46m

Director: Biodun Stephen

Genre: Comedy, Drama

Mausi (Bisola Aiyeola) and her brother Maugbe (Timini Egbuson) trick their estranged siblings into returning to Badagry for their mother’s five-year remembrance. This reunion leads to hilarious tussles, forcing them to confront old wounds and to figure out whether blood is thicker than water.

There鈥檚 something really comforting about watching warring family members find their way back to each other. The Kujus show us that even the most fractured relationships aren鈥檛 beyond healing.

3. Uno: The F in Family (2024)

Running time: 1h 46m

Director: Biodun Stephen

Genre: Comedy, Drama

After 10 years away from his family, Junior (Keezyto) travels to Enugu with his fianc茅e (Tomi Ojo) to seek his family’s blessing. Now his parents are stuck with deciding whether to accept their prodigal son and his Muslim wife or not. 

This story captures the universal longing for acceptance from one鈥檚 own family. But more importantly, it reinforces the notion that coming home is almost always worth the risk.

This film is currently unavailable on streaming platforms.

4. Battle On Buka Street (2022)

Running time: 2h 20m

Director: Funke Akindele

Genre: Comedy, Drama

Two half-sisters, Yejide (Funke Akindele) and Awele (Mercy Johnson), have been rivals since birth 鈥� literally, born a minute apart to different mothers in a polygamous household. Years later, their feud reignites when both open rival bukas (food stalls) directly across the street from each other.

At the beginning of the movie, we are thrown into sibling rivalry at its peak, but at its core, we get to experience two sisters who learn the beauty of sisterhood. 

5. Lionheart (2018)

Running time: 1h 35m

Director: Genevieve Nnaji

Genre: Drama

Directed by and starring Genevieve Nnaji, Lionheart is a corporate drama that holds the title of Nigeria鈥檚 first Netflix Original. Set in the scenic city of Enugu, it follows a young woman trying to save her family’s business while navigating a partnership with her eccentric uncle, who鈥攖o her dismay鈥攚as chosen as interim CEO instead of her.

LionHeart feels comforting for many reasons, from the setting to the actors’ nostalgic feel. But what arguably stands out the most is the story. It feels like a reassuring pat on the back for anyone fighting to be seen or valued, whether in the family or workspace. 

6. 鈥婣 Lagos Love Story (2025)

Running time: 1h 45m

Director: Naz Onuzo

Genre: Romance, Drama

Promise Quest (Jemima Osunde) is a responsible young woman juggling three lives: a demanding events job, a chaotic home, and the emotional labour of shielding her teenage sister鈥檚 dreams.

When she鈥檚 tasked with managing Afrobeats superstar King Kator (Mike Afolarin) for a major culture festival, their worlds collide in the most Lagos way possible. And that is really what makes the movie special, it perfectly captures the chaos of finding love in Lagos. 

7. Fine Wine (2021)

Running time: 1h 30m

Director: Seyi Babatope

Genre: Romance, Drama

Mr Seye George (RMD) falls in love with Kaima (Ego Nwosu), a much younger woman. As their unexpected relationship blossoms, they have to confront opposition from George’s family and harsh judgment from society over their significant age gap. 

Everyone loves a good age-gap romance. And Fine Wine doesn鈥檛 let its viewers down. Watching two people choose each other despite societal judgment will always be a heartfelt story. 

8. A Naija Christmas (2021)

Running time: 2h 1m

Director: Kunle Afolayan

Genre: Comedy, Romance

Mama (Rachel Oniga) is tired of her three sons being unmarried. So, she does what any Nigerian parent would do: subtle emotional blackmail, but with a twist. She demands her sons bring home wives to satisfy her Christmas wish鈥攁nd promises the family house to whoever pulls it off first.

A Naija Christmas is essentially a hilarious and pure lighthearted ode to the lengths we鈥檇 go to make our family proud. 

9. Phone Swap (2012)

Running time: 1h 57m

Director: Kunle Afolayan

Genre: Romantic Comedy

Phone Swap follows the love story Mary and Akin. The plot kicks off when Mary (Nse Ikpe-etim) and Akin (Wale Ojo) bump into each other at the airport, accidentally mixing up their phones. 

Now, they must live each other’s lives until they get their devices back. There鈥檚 something oddly soothing about watching two strangers discover each other through the sweetest twist of fate. 

10. Mofe ni Mofe (2021)

Running time: 1h 40m

Director: Biodun Stephen

Genre: Romance, Drama

Mofe (Lateef Adedimeji) is a man deeply traumatized by being jilted on his wedding day, and Moji is a woman who has endured four failed engagements in just three years. Their blossoming relationship quickly hits a major roadblock because of their conflicting wants; Mofe wants a quiet, private wedding, while Moji insists on an extravagant event.

If you鈥檝e ever let past trauma affect your present relationships, you鈥檇 love Mofe Ni Mofe. It tenderly explores how past hurts can shape our present fears, but it also goes further to show how the right person can make healing possible. 

ALSO READ: The 10 Best Nollywood Movies to Watch on Netflix (April 2026)

If you grew up in the 1999s/2000s, congratulations. You experienced the golden age of Nollywood. This era not only brought us humour and authentically Nigerian storytelling, it also gave us iconic characters who served lewks and were fine as hell. These characters were so hot, fly, and sexy, that they had some of us crushing HARD. Characters like: 

1. Sharon (Genevieve Nnaji) in Sharon Stone 

The OG herself. Sharon excelled in what is usually a male-dominated field by juggling not one, not two, but three men simultaneously with nothing but finesse and lies, and somehow made it look like the most natural thing in the world. We all wanted Sharon or wanted to be her, which are pretty much the same thing. 

2. Rachel (Ini Edo) in Corrupt Girls

The movie tried to position Rachel as a cautionary tale about what happens when a girl engages in promiscuous hijinks but all we see was a sexy, bad girl who knew exactly what she wanted out of life and wasn鈥檛 afraid to go get it by any means necessary (fraudulently extracting money from high profile men). If that kind of girl doesn鈥檛 wake the dead butterflies in your belly, you need help.

3.  Karishika (Becky Okorie) in Karishika

Yes, she came fresh from hell to steal, kill, and destroy. But you can鈥檛 deny that when she walked out of that graveyard at the beginning of the movie in a tie & dye shirt, baggy pants, and middle-part bussdown down to her ass, you didn鈥檛 feel something stir inside of you. Don鈥檛 be shy. There鈥檚 only a few hundred thousand of us here. It鈥檚 a safe space.

4. Monique (Regina Askia) in Suicide Mission

From the second Monique sets her eyes on Austine (RMD), Monique knows she wants him to destroy her honey pot with his weapon of love. She immediately does everything she can (having sex with a corpse and eventually trapping his soul in a groundnut bottle) to get him and she succeeds. Beautiful AND a go-getter? How could you not crush on her?? 

5.  Beyonce (Nadia Buari) in The Beyonce Cinematic Multiverse

Beyonce might鈥檝e been spoiled, petulant, and straight up insane, but that鈥檚 clearly only because she鈥檚 a passionate girl who loves too hard and will do anything for the people she cares about. Don鈥檛 let the fact that she stole Rihanna鈥檚 car because of man (Beyonce & Rihanna) and poured acid in Ciara鈥檚 face because of another man (Beyonce: The President鈥檚 Daughter) distract you from how fine she is.

6.  Pamela (Mercy Johnson) in White Hunters

Pamela鈥檚 most attractive trait is her confidence. Yes, her ex-fianc茅 served her breakfast and she does embarrassing things in her quest to bag white men. But, she鈥檚 happening babe and you can鈥檛 tell her otherwise because she knows it鈥檚 a fact. That kind of confidence is sexy as hell, and that鈥檚 why we all loved her.

7. Jennifer and Sophia (Clarion Chukwura and Eucharia Anunobi) in Abuja Connection

We could say something about the appeal of women in power and that would be true for these characters but Jennifer and Sophia are way more than that. That scene where they jam each other on the road and start shading the hell out of each other is super delicious and awakened something in many people. 

8. Gloria (Omotola Jalade-Ekeinde) in Blood Sisters 

Many of you refer to Gloria as naive because she should鈥檝e seen Esther鈥檚 deception coming, but that鈥檚 exactly why we love her. She鈥檚 sweet, trusting, and innocent, and we need more of her in this rotten, disgusting world. 

9. Alicia (Rita Dominic) in Girls Cot

We can’t talk about the iconic Girls Cot without mentioning Alicia. The movie depicts the lives of four Nigerian women who live a facetious life, deceiving men and blackmailing them for a living. Alicia鈥檚 edgy aura made her impossible not to gush over.

10. Gina (Tonto Dikeh) in Dream Maker

Okay, we loved this character out of sympathy. Gina, played by Tonto Dikeh, was the wife who was married to an abusive Charles (Jim Iyke), who was also cheating. Her outfits in every scene looked perfectly planned. Even when she almost broke a bottle on his side chic鈥檚 head, she was still serving looks.

ALSO READ: 12 Nollywood Actresses Who Shaped OG Nollywood

Here are five reasons it might just be the smartest smartphone purchase you make this year.

1. Fast processing power

The NOTE 60 Pro runs on the Snapdragon 7s Gen 4 5G, a processor built for speed, efficiency, and next-generation connectivity. Whether you’re multitasking across apps, streaming in 4K, or jumping onto a 5G network, this chip handles it without breaking a sweat or your budget.

2. The Camera That Owns the Night

Most phone cameras tap out when the sun goes down. The NOTE 60 Pro’s Night Master Camera doesn’t. Engineered specifically for low-light conditions, it captures crisp, vivid images in environments where other phones produce nothing but blur and grain.

For content creators, late-night event-goers, or anyone who’s ever been frustrated by a dark, unusable photo this camera is a genuine upgrade. You no longer need expensive gear or perfect lighting to tell your story visually. The NOTE 60 Pro does the heavy lifting.

3. A Battery That Actually Keeps Up With Your Life

The NOTE 60 Pro packs a 6,500mAh battery, one of the largest in its class. That’s not just a number on a spec sheet; it translates to real-world endurance that gets you through long workdays, commutes, late-night scrolling, and everything in between without hunting for a power outlet.

And when you do need to charge? The 90W fast charging gets you back to full in under an hour. In a world where time is currency, that kind of efficiency matters.

4. The Rear Matrix Display: A Feature You Didn’t Know You Needed

The NOTE 60 Pro comes with a Rear Matrix Display, a secondary screen on the back of the phone that’s as functional as it is eye-catching. Use it for selfie previews, notifications, custom widgets, or simply to stand out in a crowd of identical-looking smartphones.

It’s the kind of feature that makes people do a double take, then immediately ask, “What phone is that?” In a market saturated with glass slabs that look indistinguishable from one another, this is a genuine design statement.

5. AI That Works for You, Not Just on Paper

AI is the buzzword of the decade, but most phones slap the label on features that barely scratch the surface. The NOTE 60 Pro’s optimised AI capabilities are woven into real, everyday use,  smarter camera processing, intelligent battery management, adaptive performance tuning, and more.

The result is a phone that learns how you use it and gets better over time. 

You don’t need to spend a fortune to own a phone that performs like a flagship, shoots like a pro camera and lasts all day. The Infinix NOTE 60 Pro proves that in 2026, the smartest buy isn’t the most expensive one but it’s the one that gives you the most for your money.

And right now, that’s the NOTE 60 Pro.

1. Family Circle ( Late 1990s 鈥� Early 2000s )

It was a drama that followed the lives of a family headed by a couple played by Norbet Young and Ronnie Dikko. It showed them in different, and occasionally stressful scenarios, and focused on how they would work through these issues as a unit, usually with a moral lesson at the end meant for the viewers. 

2. Super Story (2001 – Present) 

An anthology series by Wale Adenuga that explores the dramatic lives of Nigerians. The first and most popular season is titled 鈥淥h Father, Oh Daughter鈥� and tells the story of a man named Suara who begs his wife, Abike, to sleep with a wealthy businessman so he can get a job. When she reluctantly does, and Suara gets the job, he starts cheating on her with a woman named Toyin Tomato, a woman who proceeds to show Suara the pepper he deserves. 

3. Papa Ajasco (1996 – 2024)

Another Wale Adenuga production, Papa Ajasco was a pure slapstick comedy that  followed the wacky adventures of its titular character, Papa Ajasco, along with his wife and son (Mama Ajasco and Boy Ajasco) and a flurry of comically colourful side characters such as Boy Alinco, Pa James, and Miss Pepeye.

4. Fuji House of Commotion (1996 – 2010)

Created by the late Amake Igwe, Fuji House of Commotion was a sitcom that showed the hijinks that took place in the polygamous household of Chief Fuji T.A Adebayo. With his four wives (Peace, Ireti, Mama Moji, and Caro) and dozens of children, there was more than enough chaos to fill multiple seasons worth of episodes. 

5. Dear Mother (Early 2000s)

The series follows Teju Philips, a resilient widowed mother of three who must balance her career with the heavy socio-economic challenges of raising kids in modern-day Nigeria. It is centred on their family, how they solve their problems and deal with chaotic situations.

6. I Need To Know (1997-2002 )

The show was originally conceived as part of the Composite Adolescent Reproductive Health in Nigeria (CAHRIN) project as an educational sitcom to encourage open dialogue between parents and children about adolescent sexual health and issues. It followed a group of seven secondary school students as they navigated the typical issues teenagers faced along with the negative effects of interrupted sexual health education. 

7. Face 2 Face (2000 – 2005 )

Set in a typical Nigerian “face-me-I-face-you” shared compound, the show perfectly captured the chaos of communal living. The show revolved around neighbours whose constant fights, misunderstandings, gossip, and hilarious alliances created a truly hilarious show.

8. Paradise Park (2000s)

Paradise Park was another viewers鈥� delight. It was set in a typical motor park and showcased the usual drama between the drivers, conductors and passengers. 

9. This Life (2000 – 2015)

This Life was another hit from Wale Adenuga Productions. Like Super Story, it was also an anthology series. Unlike Super Story that had some fun seasons, every season of This Life served as a cautionary tale. The scene of a child on a roof who jumps because he thinks his father is going to catch him but the father intentionally doesn鈥檛 so he ends up crippled and learns the lesson of never trusting anyone, even family is burned in the brains of millennials everywhere. 

10. Everyday People (2000-2005 )

This family series could make you laugh and cry at the same time. It chronicled the daily lives of a family, their neighbours, and others. Once again, the audience really loved it because it literally mirrored the lives of everyday people, staying true to its title. 

ALSO READ: Nigerian Reality TV Shows that Need to Make a Comeback 

1. Sola Sobowale as Eniola Salami in King of Boys

King of Boys tells the story of Alhaja Eniola Salami, a businesswoman and philanthropist whose dark past is revealed during her ruthless struggle for political power. One of the most powerful scenes in the movie is the confrontation between her and Makanaki, an underdog looking to upstage her. He stands up before everyone and declares, “What crown are you talking about? You all fear a lion that has lost its claws and teeth.鈥� Eniola replies fiercely by daring him to take her crown.

What makes Sola Sobowale’s performance in this moment absolutely electric is the way she lets the disrespect land before she responds. It was exactly like a Nigerian mother who sneaks in the middle of the night to question why you ate at that relative’s house. 

2. Shaffy Bello as Big Daddy in The Black Book

Paul Edima (RMD), a former soldier turned militant, now retired and seeking redemption, enjoys a simple life with his son. However, when the Nigerian police unjustly targets and frames his son as a criminal, Paul’s attempts to clear his name lead him back into his old world and this is how we meet Big Daddy. 

My only grouse with this film is that they didn’t let Big Daddy (Shaffy Bello) shine as much. A really impressive scene is where she raids General Issa’s farm with the aid of her female soldiers disguised as farmers. Shaffy Bello as Big Daddy is everything a female villain should be. 

3. Victoria as Sista in Sista 

Victoria (Kehinde Bankole) gets pregnant at a young age, and is forced to give up on her dreams. It doesn鈥檛 end there. She gets jilted by the baby’s father, and has to raise her kids on her own. 

Later in the future when Folarin (the father of the babies) shows up and asks to see them, she refuses vehemently. This is where Victoria gives the iconic monologue where she warns him to never make such a request again. Bankole puts on such a natural act that one could be convinced that she is just living her life on screen. 

4. Funke Akindele as Jedidiah in A Tribe Called Judah

Jedidah Judah (Funke Akindele) is a single mother with five sons by five different fathers, all from different tribes. When Jedidiah falls ill and needs expensive medical treatment, her sons band together to rob a mall, only to find themselves caught in another armed group鈥檚 robbery of the same  mall. 

When Jedidah learns that her first son is dead, she breaks down in the most heart-wrenching way. Funke Akindele takes herself and us, the audience, even more seriously with this performance. What makes the performance so powerful is how you can see the years of struggle in her face, mixed with the grief of what had happened. 

5. Bucci Franklin as Oboz in To Kill A Monkey 

Efemini, or simply Efe, is down on his luck and operating at the lowest rung of society. He meets a long-time school acquaintance, Oboz (Bucci Franklin), who has found success in cybercrime. Not long after, he finds himself roped into the dark underworld. 

In the devastating final betrayal, we see Oboz ready to fight back until he realises Efe is in on the attack. Like Julius Caesar, a blood-soaked Oboz falls to the ground. The way his body language shifts from readiness to fight to resignation shows acting at its finest. He showcases a man who doesn’t die from bullets, but from the betrayal itself, and you feel every second of that emotional death before the physical one.

6. Ruby Akubueze as Oby in Ijogbon

In Ijogbon, four teenagers from a rural village stumble upon a pouch of uncut diamonds while exploring a forbidden forest. What starts as a stroke of luck quickly turns into a survival quest.

The bridge scene where Oby throws the diamonds away so they can regain their peace of mind is one of the most pivotal parts of the movie. She acts as the voice of reason for the group of four. Akubueze fully embodied all the emotions she was feeling in that moment, as you can see from her body language and breaking voice before she threw the diamonds away.

7. Chidi Mokeme as Scar in Shanty Town

Shanty Town follows a group of sex workers who live in the titular Shanty Town under the control of Scar (Chidi Mokeme), a ruthless gang leader. 

Almost every scene where Scar appears is moving. But one that is imprinted in my memory is where he reads out all the things he has done for Shalewa, down to the paid abortions. It gives you a peek into the kind of person he is and shines a broader light on the grim realities of the women who are under his control.

8. Chioma Chukwuka as Mama Ify in Gangs of Lagos

On the streets of Isale Eko, three childhood friends are drawn into gang life when their adoptive father is murdered. When Ify (Chike) is brutally killed, his mother, Mama Ify (Chioma Chukwuka), reaches her breaking point. 

At his funeral, Mama Ify lets it all out in a heartfelt eulogy. Every word drips with the pain of a mother who has lost everything. Chukwuka鈥檚 performance is nothing short of a masterclass in range. 

9. Ini Dima-Okojie as Sarah in Blood Sisters

Sarah (Ini Dima-Okojie) is engaged to her dream man, Kola Ademola, the wealthy but abusive heir to a powerful Lagos family. On their traditional wedding day, he tries to strangle Sarah. This leads to her best friend, Kemi (Nancy Isime), killing him in self-defence. Now they are forced to go on the run from Kola’s family and the police. 

On the day of their wedding, Sarah finds the strength to do what she’s never been able to do before. She tells him the wedding is off. In that moment, you see a woman who is not afraid to let it all burn instead of subjecting herself to a marriage with an abusive man.

10. Tobi Bakre as Akin in Brotherhood 

Twin brothers Akin and Wale Adetula witnessed their parents’ murder as young boys. Years later, they find themselves on opposite sides of the law. Wale is part of the police while Akin, after his most recent prison release, joins a notorious gang, Ojuju boys. 

After a raid gone wrong, Akin dares to raise his gun at Shadow (Basketmouth), the leader of the gang. What follows is a testosterone face-off. Beyond Tobi Bakre’s brilliant portrayal of Akin, everyone in the scene acted like their two-year rent was due. Still can’t get over Izra’s (OC Ukeje) statement in Igbo that: 鈥淓ven a dog doesn鈥檛 bite the hand that feeds it鈥�

ALSO READ: 10 of The Most Iconic Nollywood Villains of All Time

As a Nigerian woman, two things are certain in life: people giving unsolicited opinions about your outfit, or even more crazy, a man telling you 鈥渉e has your type at home鈥�. Over the past weekend on Twitter, the former happened.

Ene Anabelle Ajogwu, an Affiliate marketer gave a presentation at the Mainstack Moment 2026 conference wearing a short skirt suit, and that was all it took for the Nigerian side of the internet to lose their collective shit.

Some argued that it was a corporate event and that she should have dressed 鈥減rofessionally.鈥� Others countered that it was a creator event and she should be able to wear what she wanted.

But the argument quickly moved beyond the event itself and became what these conversations always become about: a woman鈥檚 body and how she chooses to dress. And this points to a broader conversation to be had about why people feel entitled to police how women dress.

People on Beyonce鈥檚 internet have a habit of turning women鈥檚 appearances into public debates. You see it happen with celebrities all the time. Take Ayra Starr, for instance.  She showed up to a recent interview sporting dark and dramatic eye makeup  and that was somehow enough to upset people.

There were hundreds of incensed comments about how she looked tacky, which is frankly insane. How does someone trying a new makeup look trigger you that much?

It鈥檚 even funnier when you remember how hard people criticized her during her mini-skirt era, complaining about her revealing outfits  and what message she was sending to young women. You鈥檇 think they鈥檇 be happy now that her style has morphed into something arguably more modest. Spoiler: They鈥檙e not and still have a lot of rubbish to say. And that鈥檚 the thing about these debates. You鈥檙e damned if you do and damned if you don鈥檛 because the mob is insatiable.

There鈥檚 also the respectability politics of it all.  Many people genuinely believe that how a woman dresses reflects on her profession or the space she deserves to occupy. If a woman is in  a corporate space, she must dress in a way that protects the image of that space. Just like that, her outfit becomes less about personal style and more about representing something larger. 

That鈥檚 another thing about respectability politics. The goalpost is always moving. If you dress too modestly, you鈥檙e uptight and old fashioned. Dress in a way that shows your body and you鈥檙e an attention seeker with no self-respect.  There鈥檚 literally no middle ground because at the end of the day, it is less about the clothes and more about entitlement to women鈥檚 bodies. 

In a country like Nigeria where Christian and Muslim teachings strongly emphasize modesty, clothing is often interpreted through a moral lens. A short skirt is not just a short skirt. It is a litmus test for morality.

And then there is social media itself which acts as a lit fuse. Once one person starts the backlash, everyone else feels the need to add their own fuel to the fire. In a world where Elon鈥檚 Twitter payouts are  treated like the holy grail, the platform鈥檚 average user鈥檚 pastime has turned into piling on random people, even when it鈥檚 none of their business. 

And that is how a woman giving a presentation at a conference ends up having thousands of strangers debating the length of her skirt. The exhausting part is that these debates are a constant reminder that no matter what you accomplish or do as a woman, someone will find a way to reduce you to your appearance. 

Maybe the reason is simpler than we want to admit. All this is fundamentally about control. People are obsessed with controlling women. What they do. How they dress. What they choose to do with their bodies. 

It鈥檚 truly insane and needs to stop.

ALSO READ: Nigeria Has a Woman Problem, and It鈥檚 Getting Worse