So, for those moments when you need a break from romantic drama, this list spotlights Nollywood YouTube movies that explore other stories, from family drama and suspense to crime, comedy and everything in between.

(2026)

Running time: 2h 4m

Director: Tobi Makinde

Genre: Drama

After the sudden death of his father, Dayo (Maurice Sam) and his wife must fight his mother (Uche Jumbo) and her son for the late father鈥檚 inheritance. It explores themes of betrayal, legacy and the family conflicts that arise when greed takes control.

(2026)

Running time: 1h 11m

Director: Stephen Okonkwo

Genre: Drama

A woman (Ruby Ojiakor) constantly feeds her community with love, but her household is falling apart with a husband demanding she births a son and a stubborn daughter (Favour Etim) who just wants her mother to be fine. 

(2026)

Running time: 2h 3m

Director: Omoruyi Wallz Efosa

Genre: Drama

After Monica (Uche Montana) cuts off her leeching, ungrateful family, she is forced to return after the death of her father. Family debts pile up and she runs the risk of falling back into the cycle of her toxic family. 

(2026)

Running time: 1h 48m

Director: Barnabas Benjamin 

Genre: Drama

A single father (IK Ogbonna) finds out he has six months to live and does all he can to ensure his daughter鈥檚 future, but it is to no avail when the people who are supposed to take care of her end up exploiting her father鈥檚 kindness.

(2026)

Running time: 1h 38m

Director: Olubunmi Akingbola 

Genre: Inspirational drama

A young boy (Eronini Osinachi) is abandoned at boarding school but goes on to form an extraordinary bond with a kind teacher who takes him in as his own despite the fallout in his marriage and reputation. 

(2026)

Running time: 2h 13m

Director: Great Val Edochie

Genre: Drama

Identical twin, Ifeoluwa (Bimbo Ademoye), assumes her sister’s identity after a tragic event and navigates a high stakes legal career with ripple effects. It explores themes of identity, deception and family secrets. 

(2026)

Running time: 1 hr 35m 

Director: John Ekanem

Genre: Faith based drama

Three friends (Stan Nze, John Ekanem, Eso Dike) band together as business partners to build a successful company based on their shared ambition. As the business flourishes, so do the challenges grow and they must face them head on without ruining their friendship. 

(2026)

Running time: 1 hr 6m

Director: Jide Jblaze Oyegbile

Genre: Fantasy Comedy

Yinka (Bimbo Ademoye) is fond of saying 鈥淚 swear to God鈥� so often. Heaven finally decides that they鈥檝e had enough and give her one last chance to make things right or lose everything. 

(2025)

Running time: 2h 

Director: Adekunle Azeez

Genre: Comedy

The film centres around a loving couple (Afeez Eniola and Wumi Toriola) whose domestic bliss is upended by the arrival of both their mothers (Fausat Balogun and Remi Surutu) leading to a clash of mother in laws. It goes from passive aggressive comments to outright confrontations in a film that hilariously explores the family dynamics we are all familiar with.  

Running time: 2h 7m

Director: Okey Ifeanyi D.G.N

Genre: Comedy 

A man (Uzor Arukwe) is attempting to keep his dignity and his household despite his poverty. This leads him on a series of hilarious misadventures which gets even more complicated when he finds out his wife (Jessica Obasi) is pregnant. 

Becoming this iconic takes more than just a great acting performance. The character must establish a distinct cultural persona, birth everyday slang, or capture a specific Nigerian reality so well that the script becomes a part of them. Here鈥檚 a look at ten legendary Nollywood actors whose iconic characters have hijacked their real names.

1. Funke Akindele as Jenifa

Before 2008, Funke Akindele was known for her roles in Yor霉b谩 movies. Then came Jenifa, the hilarious village girl trying to live a fake big life on the university campus. Jenifa became such a huge success and cultural reset that Funke Akindele eventually built an alter ego, a movie sequel (the second-highest-grossing in Nollywood), and a television series around the character. Today, millions of Nigerians refer to her as Jenifa and she hasn鈥檛 stopped answering the iconic name.

2. John Okafar as Mr. Ibu

The late comic legend lived and breathed the Mr. Ibu character in the 2004 movie of the same title. The character of the dim-witted, funny father with a big belly was so iconic that he gets called Mr. Ibu before John Okafor. Even in media headlines, he was generally referred to as Mr. Ibu until his passing. Today, his cultural staying power remains unmatched, as his iconic facial expressions and funny movie scenes continue to live on as some of the internet’s most viral memes and reaction images.

3. and as Aki and Pawpaw

The 2002 comedy Aki na Ukwa introduced us to two mischievous characters who acted as brothers. The chemistry between Chinedu (Aki) and Osita (Pawpaw) was so natural that they became a package deal in Nollywood for over a decade. Many years later, they鈥檙e still globally recognised by these names, especially with Pawpaw becoming a worldwide internet meme sensation.

4. Nkem Owoh as Osuofia

Osuofia in London was a cultural movement when it was released. Nkem Owoh played a cunning, loud village man who inherits wealth and travels to London. While he was already a veteran actor, this specific role cemented his legendary status. You could yell 鈥淥suofia!鈥� anywhere in West Africa in the mid-2000s, and the majority would know exactly who you meant.

5. Hafiz Oyetoro as Saka

If you asked 100 Nigerians on the street for Hafiz Oyetoro鈥檚 real name, 95 of them would fail. He鈥檚 known entirely as Saka, a comical, slightly naive character he once played and later carried over into viral telecom advertising campaigns, famously porting from Etisalat to MTN.

READ NEXT: If Nollywood Remade The Odyssey, This is Who We鈥檇 Cast

6. as Mr. Latin

The current president of the Theatre Arts and Movie Practitioners Association of Nigeria (TAMPAN) is known to everyone simply as Mr. Latin. He got the name way back in a 1992 movie titled 50-50. During a scene, he was speaking French, but the movie’s producer mistook the language for Latin and started calling him 鈥淢r. Latin鈥�. The name stuck, and it鈥檚 been his brand ever since.

7. Abiodun Ayoyinka as Papa Ajasco

When you say Abiodun Ayoyinka, it rarely rings a bell. But when you say Papa Ajasco, everyone instantly pictures the bald, wrapper-tying, hilarious man hitting his head and shouting 鈥淥jigbigbigbi!鈥� Ayoyinka brought the beloved comic book character to life in Wale Adenuga鈥檚 famous television series Papa Ajasco and Company. He completely surrendered his real identity to the role.

8. as Sanyeri

When you hear Sanyeri, the first thing that comes to mind is the tribal-marked actor known for playing a mischievous village rascal in movies. He earned the stage name early in his theatre career, but it permanently swallowed his real identity as he rose to dominate Yoruba comedy in the 2000s and 2010s. Sanyeri often starred alongside his frequent collaborator Adekola Tijani (who similarly adopted his character’s name, Kamilu Kompo).

9. Ime Bishop Umoh as Okon Lagos

In 2011, Ime Bishop Umoh starred in the comedy Okon Lagos, playing a funny, food-obsessed guy from Akwa Ibom trying to navigate life in Lagos. His comedy and heavily accented English were so hilarious that he became a popular face in Nollywood comedy. The viewers loved the character so much that Okon Lagos became his name. He went on to star in several spin-offs (Okon Goes to School, I Come Lagos), establishing the alias.

10. as Mama No Network

Kudirat Atinuke Kazeem found her propeller to fame when she played the character of Mama No Network. The character is a woman who constantly struggles to hear what people around her are saying because she has no 鈥渘etwork鈥� in her ears. She鈥檚 always quick to say 鈥淓nipe鈥� (meaning 鈥測ou said what?鈥� or 鈥渃ome again?鈥�). The genius of the character lies in her ridiculous misinterpretation of normal conversations. Today, this is her identity and how she鈥檚 addressed in both movies and real life.

ALSO READ: The 10 Best Nollywood Epics of the 2020s

Whether exploring the real-world resistance of local heroes or the metaphysical consequences of cheating death, the Nollywood epic has reached unprecedented, ambitious heights. Below is a list of the 10 best Nollywood epics of the 2020s so far.

10. (2023)

Running time: 1h 49m

Director: Odunlade Adekola

This is about the devastating consequences of pride when a powerful and arrogant monarch, Oba Adefolarin (Odunlade Adekola), begins to view himself as a deity. His disrespect toward his people and a coven of witches results in a severe punishment: he鈥檚 cursed with debilitating insanity. As the king鈥檚 madness throws the palace into chaos, a marauder named Komokomo (Femi Adebayo) 鈥� with whom the king previously had a dark pact 鈥� seizes the opportunity to invade the weakened kingdom and challenge for the throne.

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9. (2024)

Seasons: 2

Episodes: 11

Director: Kunle Afolayan

This two-season sequel to the 2022 movie Anikulapo picks up the story with Saro (Kunle Remi) and Queen Arolake (Bimbo Ademoye) on the run. While Arolake enjoys newly acquired wealth through questionable means, Saro faces the grim task of returning to the afterlife to complete an almost impossible mission as a consequence of abusing his resurrection powers.

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8. (2021)

Running time: 1h 45m

Director: Izu Ojukwu

This is based on the true story of Amina (Lucy Ameh), the 16th-century Hausa Warrior queen of the Zazzau Empire. She鈥檚 a young, ambitious girl who grows up to become a legendary military leader who enters combat to protect her family鈥檚 legacy. Amina ascends to the throne and leads the military to expand her kingdom鈥檚 territory and secure crucial trade routes.

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7. (2024)

Running time: 1h 47m

Director: Niyi Akinmolayan

Set in the 18th-century, the people of Egba resist the oppressive Oyo tribute collectors. The plot centres on a farmer, Lisabi Agbongbo-Akala (Lateef Adedimeji), who鈥檚 driven to rebellion after his close friend Oshokenu (Jide Awoboba) is murdered and Oshokenu’s bride is assaulted by Sangodeyi (Ibrahim 鈥淚tele鈥� Yekini), the head of the tribute collectors. Using the Aaro communal farming society as a front, Lisabi secretly trains an army to overthrow the Oyo overlords.

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6. (2022)

Running time: 1h 48m

Directors: Tope Adebayo and Adebayo Tijani

Shortly after King Adegbite (Odunlade Adekola) ascends the throne, Agesinkole (Femi Adebayo), an invincible bandit and mystic, launches a series of terror attacks as revenge for past wrongs. The kingdom鈥檚 hunters, witches and spiritual leaders must pool their powers to defeat this powerful threat.

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READ NEXT: 10 Addictive Nollywood Shows You鈥檒l Accidentally Binge Till 3 AM

5. (2022)

Running time: 1h 51m

Director: Kunle Afolayan

This movie follows the story of Saro (Kunle Remi), a travelling textile weaver who arrives in a village and begins an illicit affair with Queen Arolake (Bimbo Ademoye), the king鈥檚 youngest wife. When their plan to elope is discovered, the king (Taiwo Hassan) has Saro beaten to death. However, an encounter with the mythical Akala bird allows Arolake to steal a mystical gourd to bring Saro back to life.

This gives Saro the power to resurrect the dead and earns him the title 鈥淎nikulapo.鈥� But his newfound power leads to pride and excessive demands, costing him his abilities when he betrays Arolake鈥檚 trust.

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4. (2024)

Seasons: 2

Episodes: 130

Director: James Omokwe

This drama centres on the ill-fated romance between Adanna (Oluchi Amajuoyi) and Nnanna (Kingsley Nmachukwu), and a tense political conflict between the Mgberi and Ajaani kingdoms. Adanna is an acolyte with the gift of foresight, pursued by a powerful, jealous antagonist (Jsmile Uhuru) who uses memory manipulation and spiritual interference to tear the lovers apart. The two lovers fight to remember each other and preserve their love amidst warring communities and supernatural obstacles.

3. (2024)

Running time: 2h

Director: Bolanle Austen-Peters

This historical drama chronicles the rise and fall of Bashorun Ga鈥檃 (Femi Branch), a ruthless 18th-century Prime Minister of the Oyo Empire. Ga’a鈥檚 insatiable thirst for power drives him to eclipse and murder the very monarchs he swore to serve. He uses dark magic and military power to secure his totalitarian grip. His ambition, greed and eventual betrayal alienates everyone 鈥� including his family and powerful allies 鈥� and leads to an alliance between Alaafin Abiodun (Adeniyi Johnson) and other leaders who bring the tyrant鈥檚 reign to a bloody end.

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2. (2023)

Running time: 2h 13m

Directors: Tope Adebayo and Adebayo Tijani

A young, aspiring warrior named Gbotija (Lateef Adedimeji) enrolls in a combat academy run by the maniacal warlord Ogundiji (Femi Adebayo). Due to Gbotija鈥檚 unique magical ability to control trees and wood, he quickly rises through the ranks, and this unintentionally sparks jealousy and insecurity in Ogundiji. To eliminate his new rival, the warlord sets seemingly impossible and deadly trials for Gbotija, which jeopardise both his life and his blossoming romance with Ogundiji鈥檚 adopted daughter, Kiitan (Bukunmi Oluwasina). These events lead to a clash between master and student.

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1. (2022)

Running time: 1h 36m

Director: Biyi Bandele

Based on Wole Soyinka鈥檚 renowned stage play Death and the King鈥檚 Horseman, this movie is set in the Oyo Empire during the 1940s. Following the death of the Alaafin (King), custom dictates that his chief horseman, Elesin Oba (Odunlade Adekola), must commit ritual suicide to accompany the ruler into the afterlife and maintain the spiritual balance of the world. However, Elesin鈥檚 sudden distraction by carnal desires delays his passing. This allows a British colonial officer, Simon Pilkings (Mark Elderkin), to intervene and arrest him, resulting in a tragic disruption of the community鈥檚 traditional order.

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ALSO READ: The 10 Best Nollywood Movies to Watch on YouTube (July 2026)

From thrilling epics, romantic entanglements and hostage dramas, Nollywood has back-to-back hits on Netflix. If you’re looking for what to watch on the streamer this month, here are the 10 best Nigerian movies to watch this July.

10. (2024)

Running time: 1h 40m

Director: Toka McBaror

Genre: Comedy, Thriller

Akpos (Ayo Makun) is on his very first day as a waiter in a posh Abuja hotel hosting a big event for the Minister of Poverty Alleviation (Shaffy Bello). A heavily armed ex-army captain (Bucci Franklin) and his boys hijack the building and take everybody hostage. Then it goes from kidnapping to a revolution, forcing everyone to answer the question: Who is responsible for this country鈥檚 problems?

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9. (2022)

Running time: 1h 50m

Director: Tope Adebayo and Adebayo Tijani

Genre: Epic, Thriller

Oba Adegbite (Odunlade Adekola) just wants to enjoy his new crown, but a powerful thief, Ageshinkole (Femi Adebayo), shows up to scatter his kingdom. Ageshinkole is such a menace that he beats up witches, wizards, warriors and literally everyone the King sends. The problem gets so big that the King forces his head hunter (Ibrahim Chatta) on a suicide mission to bring the thief鈥檚 head or lose his own.

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8. (2023)

Running time: 1h 55m

Director: Kunle Afolayan

Genre: Drama

Four stubborn friends (Ruby Akubueze, Kayode Ojuolape, Fawad Aina and Ebiesuwa Oluwaseyi) go to play in the mountains and somehow stumble on a bag of diamonds. Tempted and excited, they take it for themselves. But the diamonds come with wahala. They belong to some dangerous people who鈥檒l go to any length to get them back. Now, these kids have gone from planning their new, rich life to running around for survival.

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7. (2021)

Running time: 1h 52m

Director: Idea Chukwuma 鈥淥nesoul鈥� Innocent

Genre: Epic

Trained by her dad, Ogbu (Enyinna Nwigwe), Igbinogun (Damilare Kuku) leads a gang of misfit thieves to steal from the rich and give to the poor. But the problem starts when she embarrasses the Prince (Blossom Chukwujekwu) so badly in battle that the man literally deletes himself out of shame. The kingdom is upside down and Igbinogun suddenly has to step up and become the leader of her village.

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6. (2022)

Running time: 1h 36m

Director: Date Olaitan

Genre: Horror, Thriller

Busola (Immaculata Oko-Kasum) thinks she has secured a soft life when she falls for Tunji (Efa Iwara), a fine boy from a super-rich family. But the red flags start waving almost immediately. Tunji鈥檚 family is hiding some dark, creepy secrets, and Busola quickly realises that marrying into this kind of wealth is far from a blessing. 

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READ NEXT: The 10 Best Nollywood Movies Of 2026 So Far, Ranked

5. (2023)

Running time: 1h 36m

Director: Walter Banger

Genre: Drama, Romance

Toyin (Dakore Egbuson-Akande) and Uche (Nse Ikpe-Etim) are lifelong besties until one man, Sunday (Oris Erhuero), enters the chat and scatters everything. It first starts as a harmless crush, then turns into a messy love triangle that tests the limits of their sisterhood.

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4. (2022)

Running time: 1h 28m

Director: Walter Taylaur

Genre: Drama

Brume (Daniel Etim-Effiong) is battling life problems: his mom just died, his wife鈥檚 dealing with infertility, and two corrupt policemen (Frank Donga and Toyin Oshinaike) are extorting him. Then, the worst happens: his wife is murdered by the officer. Brume teams up with his guy, Dammy (Deyemi Okanlawon), to pose as a flamboyant yahoo boy, lure the corrupt cops and kidnap them. From there, it becomes a chaotic hostage drama fueled by revenge.

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3. (2025)

Running time: 1h 39m

Director: Moses Inwang

Genre: Drama, Romance

Adaora (Nse Ikpe-Etim) is a rich, single lady who falls for fine boy stylist Jaiye (James Gardiner) just to escape family pressure. But that鈥檚 a huge mistake because Jaiye is scum. He and his partner Anna (Erica Nlewedim) scam Adaora blind, force her to get an abortion, fake his death, and set her up for jail. Adaora gets out, catches him living large with a new family, and goes into revenge mode and wreaks havoc.

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2. (2022)

Running time: 1h 30m

Director: Kayode Kasum

Genre: Drama

Otas (Chimezie Imo) is just trying to go to NYSC camp when a tragic accident leaves a friend dead, and the police wrongfully pin the death on him as a murder. With Otas locked up, his mom, Adesuwa (Dakore Egbuson-Akande), is forced to confront her own dark past and trauma tied to Nigerian police brutality.

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1. (2025)

Running time: 1h 51m

Director: Daniel Etim Effiong

Genre: Crime, Drama

Gosi (Daniel Etim-Effiong) travels to Ekiti for his best guy Fola鈥檚 (Kunle Remi) wedding to Derin (Genoveva Umeh). The wedding is beautiful until Nigeria happens. On the drive to the hotel, gunmen disguised as herdsmen ambush their convoy. They kill the groom and drag Gosi, Derin and a bunch of other motorists into the bush to demand ransom. Long story short, this is a direct look at the ghetto that is Nigeria鈥檚 insecurity crisis.

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ALSO READ: Alexx Ekubo Had Range. These 10 Movies Prove It

This list covers Nigerian films that stood out in celebration of genre, dedication to craft, appreciation of culture and also just a great time at the movies. These are the 10 best Nollywood films of 2026, so far.

10. The Boy Who Gave 

Running time: 118 minutes听

Director: Allison Precious Emmanuel听

Genre: 顿谤补尘补听

Films that take us to parts of Nigeria rarely seen are not many, and in Allison Emmanuel鈥檚 debut feature he takes us to Bonny Island, a place fraught with economic and political violence. He writes, directs and stars in the film that follows Broda, a first son, who is left to care for his siblings after the death of his parents. It鈥檚 a film that leans into the dreary existence that poverty plunges you into and it asks if escape is ever possible. 

The Boy Who Gave is currently showing in the cinemas.

9. The Other Side Of The Bridge 

Running time: 116 minutes 

Director: Fiyin Gambo

Genre: Sports Drama

Many Nigerian films in recent times have tried to capture the class tension between the wealthy and the poor in our society. In the Other Side Of The Bridge, we see the Fiyin Gambo-directed feature put this tension in a gritty boxing drama that follows two boxers (played by Tobi Bakre and Demi Banwo) from vastly different backgrounds competing in a prestigious tournament hoping to win it for reasons that define both their lives.

The Other Side Of The Bridge is not yet available on any streaming platforms.

8. Aba Blues

Running time: 120 minutes 

Director: Jack鈥檈nneth Opukeme

Genre: Romantic Drama 

Jack鈥檈nneth Opukeme has a flair for writing interesting women defying cultural boundaries. In Aba Blues he writes and directs a story of a woman (played by Angel Anosike) stuck between two lovers: one from her past and another in her present. It鈥檚 a story that celebrates and critiques Igbo culture, centering the love story in a place and time that shows the director鈥檚 signature vintage storytelling. 

Aba Blues is streaming on

7. Onobiren: A Woman鈥檚 Story

Running time: 104 minutes 

Director: Famous Odion Iraoya

Genre: Drama 

Nollywood has a fraught history with its women and in a bid to tell their own stories, Onobiren enters with the tale of a woman recounting her life experiences as she moves from her village to the city. It is a film that centres human efforts as acts of faith and miracles. Directed by Famous Odion Iraoya and written by Laju Iren, Onobiren opens the breadth of womanhood for the industry to learn from. 

Onobiren: A Woman’s Story is not yet available on any streaming platforms.

6. To Adaego With Love

Running time: 129 minutes

Director: Nwamaka Chikezie

Genre: Historical Romance 

In this Nwamaka Chikezie directed feature, we see a love story placed at the core of the post civil war reconciliation efforts in the East. Starring Adam Garba and Chisom Agoawuike, who have palpable chemistry, it navigates the complicated emotions of a people who have still not been given proper reparations for a war that ravaged their place and culture. It places this conflict within and outside a love story that will leave you in your feels when the credits roll. 

To Adaego With Love can be rented on the film’s

5. Evi

Running time: 107 minutes 

Director: Uyoyou Adia

Genre: Musical Drama

With the increase in Afrobeats recognition worldwide, a film about a fictional Afrobeats star was bound to happen. Enter Evi. It follows a pop star who falls from grace and attempts to return to success with a new lease on life. Starring Osas Okonyon in the titular role and directed by Uyoyou Adia, we get a glimpse into the shady workings of an industry where the price for success is often a loss of self. And to crown it all, it does have some bangers.

Evi is not yet available to stream on any platforms.

4. On Different Grounds

Running time: 120 minutes 

Director: Mildred Okwo

Genre: Romantic Dramedy

A veteran returns to the camera and brings other veterans with her in this Mildred Okwo directed romantic comedy. This film follows a separated couple who have to share the same space during the week of their daughter鈥檚 marriage. It鈥檚 a film that finds the older stars of Nollywood like Nkem Owoh, Jennifer Eliogu and Bob Manuel Udowku in roles that respect their skills. At the same time, it creates a narrative rarely seen with a happy ending that reminds us that second chances are never too late.

On Different Grounds is currently showing in cinemas.

3. When Nigeria Happens 

Running time: 119 minutes

Director: Ema Edosio-Deelen

Genre: Dance drama

Sometimes a Nigerian film departs from the usual forms we鈥檙e used to and creates an experiment that dissects the way our society breaks us. This is the central thesis of When Nigeria Happens. Directed by Ema Edosio-Deelen, it follows a group of misfit dancers who are trying to make it amidst the obstacles Nigeria throws at them. A film that uses dance as a primary driver of its story, we journey with this group as the pressure to fit in builds to a moving conclusion. 

When Nigeria Happens is streaming for a limited time on the

2. Mothers Of Chibok

Running time: 88 minutes 

Director: Joel Kachi Benson

Genre: Documentary

The kidnapping of the Chibok Girls remains one of the most consequential moments of Nigeria鈥檚 history and the media around it has remained fraught with propaganda and political motivations. With Mothers of Chibok, directed by Joel Kachi Benson, we witness a group of mothers who, after their daughters鈥� abduction, spend weeks, months and years waiting for their return. It is a solemn study on the way this tragedy has defined their present and future, and a documentation of their resilience. 

Mothers Of Chibok is currently not available on any streaming platforms.

1. Call Of My Life

Running time: 107 minutes 

Director: Dammy Twitch

Genre: Romantic comedy 

A call centre agent, Soluchi, is going through a tough heartbreak when she receives a call that is bound to change the trajectory of her love life. Directed by Dammy Twitch in his feature debut and written by Uzoamaka Power, Call Of My Life reminds us that a good romantic comedy is grounded in the cultural context of its people. With strong lead performances, a score that paints the romance and supporting characters you want to see more of, the film joins the pantheon of great Nigerian romcoms and will definitely be rewatched by generations to come.

Call Of My Life is currently showing in cinemas.

It鈥檚 arguably the best month of the year: Pride Month. And what better time to catch up on some of the best films Nollywood has given us about queer love. 

Whether you鈥檙e looking for romances or documentaries that spotlight real-life experiences, these films offer a glimpse into the many ways queer Nigerians have told their stories on screen. While some of them are not pure love stories, they are not entirely the focus of this article. Let鈥檚 jump right in! 

1. Ife (2020)

Director: Uyaiedu Ikpe-Etim

Running time: 38m

Directed by Uyaiedu Ikpe-Etim and produced by Pamela Adie, the film follows two women, Adaora and Ife who meet and fall in love over the course of a 3-day-date in Lagos. But soon, they find their love being tested with the realities of being queer in Nigeria. 

2. 14 Years and A Day (2023)

Director: Uyaiedu Ikpe-Etim, Ayo Lawson

Running time: 21m 

Another classic from Uyaiedu Ikpe-Etim but this time in collaboration with Ayo Lawson.  Amal, a queer woman finds herself in an emotional conflict with her partner of 14 years. In a bid to run away from this frustration, she seeks solace in a solitary dinner unaware that fate has other things in store. 

This movie is currently unavailable on streaming platforms. 

3. Boys Like Us (2025)

Director: Babatunde Apalowo

Running time: 1h 33 m 

Boys Like Us follows the lives of four gay friends who live together in Lagos, as their lives begin to unravel over the course of a single weekend. Each episode takes viewers along on a different adventure. 

4. She He They (2024)

Director: Uyaiedu Etim

Running time: 10m 

Across seven episodes, She He They follows the lives of Reni, a lesbian and her three roommates鈥擨mani, a Muslim lesbian, Ijemma, a transwoman, and Victor, a gay man, with each of them dealing with their unique struggles. 

5. Pieces of Love (2024) 

Director: Omeleme

Running time: 40m 

This is a classic roommates-to-lovers situation. Tobe and Alex go from sharing an apartment to falling in love with each other. Now, they have to cope with hiding their relationship because of the society they live in. 

6 Unbroken Note (2026)

Director: Pamela Adie

Running time: 1h 12m 

This film follows the journey of Adekunle, a young artist who struggles to live authentically in a society and family environment that rejects his identity. Despite the looming danger of homophobic attacks, he makes the brave decision to live authentically. 

7. Delivery Guy (2025)

Director: JFM TV

Running time: 39m

Delivery Guy takes viewers on a journey through the complex emotional and social challenges faced by two men, Jeff and Timmy, as they navigate their relationship in a society struggling to accept their identity.

8.Walking with Shadows (2019)

Director: Aoife O鈥橩elly

Running time: 1h 33m

Set in Lagos, Walking With Shadows centred around Adrian, a gay man whose carefully constructed life begins to unravel after he is outed. The film examines the pressure many queer Nigerians face to conform to societal expectations. 

9. Hell or High Water (2016)

Director: Oluseyi Asurf

Running time: 31m 

This movie centres on a married pastor struggling to reconcile his sexuality with his faith. Rather than presenting easy answers, the film tries to highlight the complexities of navigating religion and sexuality in a country Nigeria.

10. Under The Rainbow (2018) 

Director: Pamela Adie

Running time: 1h 12m 

This documentary film takes viewers on a first hand journey through what being queer in Nigeria looks like. Produced and directed by LGBTQ activist, Pamelie Adie, it details her deeply personal coming out journey. 

罢丑别听听is returning on August 22, 2026, in Lagos! Come learn from finance experts and industry leaders, and partake in unfiltered conversations about building wealth and diversifying your income stream in a country like Nigeria.听Real stories, expert advice you can actually use, and a community ready to build wealth together.听.

And that’s why we’ve taken upon ourselves to highlight the women across these reality TV shows that not only kept us entertained but have managed to maintain culture relevance long after their shows ended. Here are some of the most memorable women in reality TV history.

1.

Show: Big Brother Naija: Pepper Dem

It’s been seven years since Mercy won. Her continued relevance and the success of her endeavours since then make it clear that her win was anything but a fluke.

2.

Show: Big Brother Naija: Pepper Dem

Tacha is the ultimate definition of a polarising TV personality. Despite her clashes with fellow housemates, she always stayed true to herself.

3.

Show: Big Brother Naija: Level Up

Yes, Phyna was chaotic in the house. But no one wants to watch a show where everyone is singing kumbaya with each other.

4.

Show: Big Brother Naija: Double Wahala

Is Cee-C a villain or simply too honest for TV? Whatever your answer, you can’t deny she was entertaining AF. Many have tried to recreate her playbook and failed.

5.

Show: Big Brother Naija: Lockdown

Reality TV often needs a calm presence to weather the storm, but Erica somehow managed to be both.

6.

Show: Real Housewives of Lagos

Yes, she ended every season she’s appeared in with all her friendships destroyed, but her erratic behaviour is part of why we love her.

7.

Show: Young, Famous & African

If there’s one thing Annie did, it was keep viewers glued to their screens, whether they were rooting for her or criticising her.

8.

Show: Big Brother Naija: Level Up

During her season, Bella made headlines as the housemate who wasn鈥檛 afraid to speak her mind, even if it meant ruffling a few feathers along the way.

9.

Show: Real Housewives of Lagos

Chioma wasn’t a housewife, but reality TV never needed to be real. Her no-nonsense approach to issues endeared fans to her.

10.

Show: Big Brother Naija: Lockdown

If reality TV is known for pushing cast members to their limits, Nengi defies that axiom. She somehow managed to both stir the pot and rise above it.

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

罢丑别听听is returning on August 22, 2026, in Lagos! Come learn from finance experts and industry leaders, and partake in unfiltered conversations about building wealth and diversifying your income stream in a country like Nigeria.听Real stories, expert advice you can actually use, and a community ready to build wealth together.听.

Specifically, how much the main character, soluchi, makes to be able to live so fabulously.

In Call of My Life, we meet Soluchi a call center agent trying to heal from a bitter heartbreak, until her job connects her to the charming Eli.

Apart from Soluchi’s interesting love life, she also has an enviable lifestyle, with her preppy outfits, upscale apartment and monthversary gifts to her partner.

Soluchi鈥檚 fabulous apartment and outfits made us wonder: how much do call center agents actually make?

According to , call center agents in Nigeria earn somewhere between 鈧�65,000 and 鈧�300,000 per month.

Let’s assume she earns 鈧�300,000 per month. Can that pay for her apartment?

An upscale apartment like that in Lagos costs 鈧�3m to 鈧�6m per year. By our salary estimation, she’d need to leave her entire annual salary untouched to afford that place.

Come heartbreak or bad work day, one thing Soluchi never has is a bad hair day. Her locs were always styled to the T.

Styling locs frequently is not for the financially weak. A retwist can cost between 鈧�25,000 to 鈧�50,000.

Our theory: Either Soluchi has a side hustle the movie didn’t mention or she works for one of the few companies in Nigeria that actually pays a competitive salary.

Or maybe she’s simply figured out how to build wealth and afford the life she wants. If you’d like to do the same, attending the is a good place to start.

ALSO READ: 10 Times Nollywood Accidentally Taught Us Money Lessons

If you鈥檙e in the mood to watch a messy investigation of a Lagos neighbourhood, spoiled brats waking up to smell the coffee, or a survival game on a dusty interstate highway, I have the best binge-list for you. These are the best Nigerian movies to watch on Netflix this month.

10. (2021)

Running time: 1h 50m

Director: Seyi Babatope

Genre: Mystery, Thriller

Imagine waking up to find a whole dead body in your compound. This murder mystery takes a mandatory environmental sanitation day and turns it into a high-stakes whodunit when a corpse mysteriously drops in a regular face-me-I-face-you house while the streets are on lockdown. Nobody can go in or out, and every tenant is a prime suspect in a messy police investigation.

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9. (2021)

Running time: 1h 56m

Director: Kayode Kasum

Genre: Comedy, Drama

The movie throws together a bunch of totally mismatched strangers who pack themselves into a random bus heading East, all thinking they鈥檝e secured a sweet transport bargain. But because cheap things will always cost you your peace of mind, what is supposed to be a regular road trip turns into a trouble ride when their bus gets hijacked by armed robbers in the middle of nowhere.

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8. (2020)

Running time: 2h 31m

Director: Kunle Afolayan

Genre: Drama

This movie follows Moremi (Temi Otedola), a student who gets sexually assaulted by her lecturer. She does the brave thing and drags his matter to the school鈥檚 disciplinary panel. But Nigeria, being Nigeria, a lawless place, the tribunal process flips the script and makes her the villain. They put her on the hot seat and make her fight for her academic life in a wild game of gaslighting.

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7. (2019)

Running time: 1h 50m

Director: Tope Alake

Genre: Action, Drama

This is about Nimbe (Chimezie Imo), an innocent teenager who grows up too quickly and is trying to survive the problems of a dysfunctional home. But because the streets are always looking for who to swallow, he ends up with the worst crowd. The desire to belong becomes a dark descent into substance abuse and gang violence.

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6. (2024)

Running time: 1h 52m

Director: Ramsey Noauh

Genre: Action, Thriller

Tokunbo (Gideon Okeke), a retired car smuggler who lives a quiet, legal life with his family, gets dragged back into the game for one last job. The job is to smuggle the kidnapped daughter of a very powerful government official across the border in exactly three hours, or watch his own family get wiped out.

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READ NEXT: The 10 Best Nollywood Movies to Watch On YouTube (June 2026)

5. (2021)

Running time: 2h

Director: Biodun Stephen

Genre: Comedy, Drama

Summy (Timini Egbuson), an arrogant and spoiled rich kid wakes up one morning to the shock that nobody in his life, not even his own mother or his closest friends, recognises him. Overnight, his entire life and identity vanish into thin air. He starts life afresh with Todowde (Bimbo Ademoye), a bread seller.

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4. (2023)

Running time: 1h 46m

Director: Kayode Kasum

Genre: Drama, Romance

This is Tamara (Sandra Okunzuwa), another ridiculously spoiled, high-society bride-to-be whose entire existence revolves around living the soft life. But as she prepares for the society wedding of the year, disaster strikes: her father’s assets are frozen, her wealthy fianc茅 does a runner and her bank accounts hit zero. She鈥檚 shaken out of her bubble. Now, she has to build a survival instinct and life afresh without wealth and fake friends.

.

3. (2018)

Running time: 1h 35m

Director: Genevieve Nnaji

Genre: Drama

Adaora (Genevive Nnaji) is an executive who has dedicated her life to keeping her father’s transport company afloat. When her dad suddenly falls ill and is forced to step down, he brings in his loud brother to take the wheel. Suddenly, our main babe is forced to co-run the family empire with an uncle whose entire business strategy and operations are almost the opposite of hers. But they have to make things work.

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2. (2019)

Running time: 1h 23m

Director: Akay Ilozobhie

Genre: Drama

This is a hilarious comedy about Dare (Timini Egbuson), an entitled ajebutter who thinks the entire world revolves around his family’s money. He鈥檚 arrogant, completely out of touch with reality and disrespectful to everyone around him. One day, he gets trapped in an elevator with Abigail (Toyin Abraham), a no-nonsense pregnant woman who has zero patience for his bullshit.

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1. (2023)

Running time: 2h 3m

Director: Adeoluwa Owu

Genre: Drama

Adire (Kehinde Bankole), a retired lady of the night who decides she鈥檚 done with the streets. She packs her bags and relocates to a small town to start a new life. To secure her daily bread, she taps into her creative side and launches a business making sexy, custom lingerie out of traditional local fabrics. The local women love it; her business is booming until her success attracts the wrong kind of attention.

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ALSO READ: The 10 Best Gabriel Afolayan Acting Performances, Ranked

The 10/10 housemates gave us plenty of drama in the house. They were so chaotic they almost took over Ebuka鈥檚 designated role of 鈥渟haking tables鈥� with their own in-house roundtable discussions.

And there鈥檚 still so much left to unpack. How did Faith deal with his disqualification? Are Mide and Dede still not on talking terms? What happened with Kola and Imisi鈥檚 friendship?

While we wait for answers by 10pm this night, here鈥檚 what they鈥檝e been getting up to since leaving the house.

The season鈥檚 resident IT girl hasn鈥檛 slowed down since the show ended. Dede has kept up with serving looks on Instagram and has worked as an ambassador for brands like Guinness and Vaseline.

Koyin was one of the most active housemates of the season and even outside the house, he has shown just how much of a star he is. He recently scored a movie role in Tokunbo Marriage. 

Winning the show was only the beginning. Even while she was in the house, it was obvious that there was some acting talent tucked away beneath the surface. She recently starred in Ajosepo. 

In the house, Kola served looks from day one until he left, and he has kept that same energy outside the house. From his fashion-forward posts to partnerships with brands like CeraVe and Heineken, he is still showing us why he was the fashion boy of the season.

Thelma was one of the housemates who had her eyes firmly on the money, so it came as no surprise when she returned to building her skincare store after leaving the house.

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If there is one thing Mide was never going to do, it is fade into the background. With her ethereal face card in hand, she has gone on to build a decent career for herself as a fashion influencer. 

Coming into the house as a doctor, most people probably assumed his next move would be a return to the hospital after the show. Instead, he has found himself drawn to the spotlight, hosting a wellness show on TVC and snagging the Best Dressed award at the AMVCAs. 

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Sultana might not have been the most dramatic housemate, but she has since shown us that she can turn on the drama when the cameras are rolling. She has appeared in a number of YouTube movies and even added an AMVCA Best Dressed win to her record. 

If there was one housemate who refused to be boxed in, it was Jason Joe. One minute he was singing, the next he was dancing, and somewhere in between he was serving looks too. He鈥檚 pretty much been doing the same since he left the house. 

While her Big Brother journey was cut short earlier than some, Zita has been making the most of life outside the house. Between completing her degree, working in real estate, and carving a niche as a content creator, she鈥檚 clearly going to be in our faces for some time. 

罢丑别听听is returning on August 22, 2026, in Lagos! Come learn from finance experts and industry leaders, and partake in unfiltered conversations about building wealth and diversifying your income stream in a country like Nigeria.听Real stories, expert advice you can actually use, and a community ready to build wealth together.听.