•Late actor, Mr Ibu
2024 has been a year unlike any other for the Nigerian entertainment industry, marked by both remarkable achievements and challenges that shaped and reshaped the industry. However, despite the challenges and controversies, the industry witnessed significant breakthroughs, record-breaking feats, and international recognition, reports Saturday Vanguard.
Notably, the year kicked off on a good note with actress Funke Akindele’s blockbuster, “The Tribe Called Judah” making history as the highest-grossing Nollywood film of all time. The film, released in December 2022, dominated the headlines in January, when it smashed box office records, earning N1 billion from ticket sales within 20 days of its release.
This success story by “The Tribe Called Judah” set the tone for the breakthroughs that were recorded in the industry this year.
It continued in February, when eight Nigerian superstars, including Burna Boy Wizkid, Davido, Olamide, Asake and Ayra Starr were nominated in various categories of Grammy 2024.
Though none of them returned home with any of the trophies, it made a bold statement regarding the coming of age of African superstars. And Burna Boy, who led the pack with four nominations, followed by Davido with three nominations stood out throughout this year with his growing influence on the global stage.
Basking in the euphoria of that feat, Minister of Art, Culture, and Creative Economy, Hannatu Musawa returned home to announce plans to establish an African version of the Grammy, sparking debate among industry stakeholders. Many criticised the plan for an African Grammy, describing it as a misplaced priority that could undermine the progress recorded in the country’s music industry over the past two decades. But the plan is yet to be actualised.
Tragedies and Losses
The industry experienced several tragedies and losses, including the deaths of notable figures. In fact, the worst moments were recorded between March and April, with the shocking deaths of top movie stars. The first to bow out of the stage was renowned actor, poet and playwright, Jimi Solanke, who passed away on February 7, at the age of 81. He was known for his roles in “Sango”, “Shadow Parties” among others. His exit was followed by that of top actor Amaechi Muonagor, who died on March 24, at the age of 61, after a protracted illness. As the industry was recovering from the shock, veteran actor Zulu Adigwe followed suit. He died in April at the age 74. He was known for his roles in “Basi and Company”,
“Issakaba”, and “Living in Bondage: Breaking Free”, among others. John Okafor a.k.a Mr Ibu, also passed away on March 2, at the age of 62. The comic actor had been battling a protracted illness that left him bed-ridden, forcing many Nigerians to donate funds towards his hospital bills. Unfortunately, he didn’t make it, even though his demise was surrounded by lots of controversies. Sadly, Jnr Pope had mourned Mr Ibu’s death on his social media page only a month before his own death. His tragic end occurred on April 10, after he was involved in a boat mishap alongside four other victims in Ambam river, while filming on the Adanma Luke movie set. The ugly incident sparked conversation on the safety of actors on set, with the leadership of the Actors Guild of Nigeria, AGN, setting up an investigative panel to unravel the immediate and remote causes of the accident.
Other actors who bowed out of the stage included, Wole Oguntokun, a playwright who died on March 26, Lizzy Evoeme, a veteran actress known for her role in “New Masquerade”. She died on May 5 at the age of 81. Also Ethel Ekpe, a renowned actress died on February 7. She was known for her role in Basi and Company.
The industry also mourned the loss of highlife legend, Godwin Oparah popularly known as Kabaka of Oriental Brothers fame, who passed away on March 21, at the age of 79. Though he will be buried on December 30, at his Imerienwe home town, in Imo state , Kabaka was a music icon, who revolutionized highlife music in the south-eastern part of the country. His exit has left a vacuum in the music industry. So also was the painful exit of Onyeka Onwenu, 72, who slumped and died on July 30, after performing at a birthday party of Stella Okoli, owner of Emzor Pharmaceuticals.
Following the recurring deaths in the industry, the Actors Guild of Nigeria embarked on four days of fasting and prayer to seek the face of God. But then, death according to William Shakespeare , “is a necessary end that will come when it will come.”
Challenges and Controversies
Controversies are associated with showbiz and Nigerian entertainers are no exception. The outgoing year was characterized with the good, the bad and the ugly. First to come to mind was the imprisonment of the popular cross-dresser, Bobrisky in April, for the naira mutilation offence, and the drama that followed after he was released on August 5. He wasted no time in getting back his groove as he partied with celeb friends but unknown to him that he would be embroiled in another scandal sooner than later. After his release, an alleged audio recording surfaced online, where he admitted paying millions of naira to secure a comfortable place in prison. The audio recording leaked by social media activist, VeryDarkMan, VDM, accused the cross-dresser of paying N15 million for the anti-graft agency, EFCC, to drop money laundering charges against him during his naira spraying ordeal in April. The video set the internet buzzing throughout the months of September and October. Meanwhile, rapper Falz and his father, Femi Falana, a human rights lawyer were drawn into the saga, leading to a legal battle. But then, Bobrisky was at the receiving end, as he was re-arrested again for attempting to flee the country even as VDM was summoned by the House of representatives to provide more insights into his allegations.
P-square breaks up again: Fans of the singing duo, Peter and Paul Okoye of Psquare fame were heartbroken after the duo broke up again after reuniting in 2021. The duo’s reunion failed to produce the desired hit albums, leading to their eventual breakup. As it stands, Psquare has become history, as the Okoye brothers will now pursue solo careers again to remain relevant in the music industry.
Burna Boy comes under fire: Burna Boy was not also spared as he came under fire for his alleged involvement in the detention of a content creator, Speed Darlington. Social media users condemned the self-styled ‘African Giant’ for his actions, labeling them as oppressive. Speed Darlington was however later released.
Davido’s fairy-tale wedding: Till date, fans are still talking about the wedding ceremony of Afrobeat star Davido and his long-time heartthrob, Chioma Rowland, which many have described as the biggest celebrity wedding of the year. The lavish event, with their wedding hashtag, #Chivido2024 was attended by the crème de la crème of the entertainment industry and other top dignitaries. Held at Harbour Point in the Victoria Island area of Lagos State, the event marked the culmination of years of friendship and, as expected, generated buzz on social media.
Brain Jotter revives Mike Ejeagha’s classic hit:
One of the standout events of the year was the revival of legendary highlife singer Mike Ejeagha’s 1983 hit song “Gwo, Gwo, Gwo, Ngwo” by popular skit maker Chukwuebuka Amuzie, aka Brain Jotter. The revival sparked a viral dance challenge that got everyone talking. The revival brought Mike Ejeagha back into the spotlight after 41 years. Though the viral dance challenge did not generate any profit for Brain Jotter, it reintroduced the 93-year-old folklore legend to a new generation. The revival showcased the timeless appeal of Mike Ejeagha’s music and the power of social media in rediscovering classic hits.
Nigerian musicians dominating global stage
Nigerian artists continued to dominate the global music scene this year, achieving remarkable streaming numbers and generating substantial revenues.
Asake reclaimed the title of Spotify’s most-streamed Nigerian artist for the second consecutive year, captivating audiences across various age groups. In the female category, Ayra Starr became the most-streamed Nigerian female artist, with significant listenership in Nigeria, Ghana, and Kenya.
Interestingly, Asake alongside Tems and Rema received nominations for the 2024 Billboard Music Awards as well as 2025 Grammy Awards, reflecting the growing international recognition of Nigerian musicians.
Burna Boy:
Burna Boy remained a dominant force, being Nigeria’s most exported artist and the only Nigerian in the UK’s Top 100. Continuing his global ascent, Burna Boy also became the first African artist to headline and sell out a stadium show in the United States, performing at Citi Field in New York. He received multiple Grammy nominations for 2025, bringing his total nominations to ten—the highest for any Nigerian artist.
Davido:
Following the release of his album “Timeless,” Davido earned $70 million in 2024. The album blends Afropop, dancehall, and amapiano, showcasing his versatility. To promote the album, he embarked on the “Timeless North American Tour,” engaging his American fan base. He earned his second Grammy nomination for 2025 edition in the Best African Music Performance category for featuring on Chris Brown’s track “Sensational,” alongside rising star Lojay, marking Lojay’s first-ever Grammy nod.
Yemi Alade:
She earned her first Grammy nomination for the song, “Tomorrow” in the Best African Music Performance category. Additionally, she performed “Akwaba,” the official theme song for the 2023 Africa Cup of Nations, at the opening ceremony in Côte d’Ivoire.
Tiwa Savage:
In May 2024, Tiwa released, “Water & Garri,” the soundtrack for her film of the same name, marking her debut as an actress and showcasing her multifaceted talent.
Government’s contribution to entertainment
The federal government significantly ramped up its efforts to support the entertainment sector this year through some of its laudable initiatives, including the launch of Creative Economy Development Fund, CEDF. The Federal Executive Council approved the establishment of this fund to provide financial assistance to creative talents. It includes innovative financing mechanisms like IP collateralization, allowing creatives to use intellectual property as assets for loans. This initiative is part of a broader effort to enhance access to funding and develop IP valuation standards in collaboration with the African Development Bank (AfDB) under the iDICE program. This laudable initiative was applauded by the stakeholders in the industry, even though the fund has not been accessed by anyone. Also, the government’s plans to establish an Afrobeats Museum to celebrate Nigeria’s global music influence and further develop cultural infrastructure is another landmark move to boost the industry.
Also, the year witnessed a landmark appointment of professionals to lead the various agencies of the government. In early January, President Tinubu appointed Dr Shaibu Hussein, as the new Director-General/CEO of the National Film and Video Censors Board, NFVCB, while Obi Asika and actor Ali Nuhu piloted the affairs of National Council for Arts and Culture, NCAC, and National Film Cooperation, NFC respectively. Many stakeholders hailed the appointments.
Entertainment industry’s contribution to economic growth
Nollywood has consistently been a substantial contributor to Nigeria’s GDP. In 2021, the industry accounted for approximately 2.3% of the GDP, equivalent to $660 million (239 billion naira). By 2023, the combined contribution of motion picture and music recording to Nigeria’s GDP was about 154 billion naira (roughly $197.6 million).
This upward trajectory is expected to continue with projections indicating that Nigeria’s entertainment and media sector will reach $13.89 billion by 2027. The industry maintains its status as one of the world’s most prolific film industries, producing over 2,500 films annually. This high output not only satisfies domestic demand but also caters for a growing international audience, enhancing Nigeria’s cultural export and soft power.
The Nigerian box office also witnessed a significant growth. In the first half of 2024, Nollywood films captured 50% of the Nigerian box office revenue, generating $2.8 million-a 34% increase compared to the same period in the previous year. This surge reflects the increasing quality of Nigerian films and their rising popularity among audiences. Of course, the advent of streaming giants like Netflix, Prime Video, Showmax among others in no small measure have helped to boost the incomes of our filmmakers and stars. Besides, the industry has provided jobs for thousands of individuals, including actors, directors, producers, and various support staff. Its growth stimulates related sectors such as marketing, distribution, and hospitality, thereby contributing to broader economic development.
These achievements underscore the dynamic and influential presence of Nigerian artists on the global stage, as they continue to break barriers and set new standards in both music and film. The industry’s growth has also led to increased investment in infrastructure and talent development, further solidifying Nigeria’s position as a cultural powerhouse.
Streaming revenue growth
The digital music market in Nigeria is projected to generate revenue of US$122.10 million in 2024.
Streaming royalties for Nigerian artists on Spotify alone doubled in 2023, exceeding N25 billion. On December 10, 2024 members of Nigeria’s No 1 copyright collective management organization, Copyright Society of Nigeria (COSON), approved a 2024 royalty distribution of a whopping N465.5 million for its members and associates. The distribution was the highest in the history of the organization. It is another indication that Nigerian music artists never had a better year.
Despite the challenges and controversies, 2024 was a significant year for the Nigerian entertainment industry, marked by breakthroughs, recognition, and positive developments, all contributing positively to the nation’s economy. The industry’s resilience and determination to thrive were evident in the various breakthroughs and achievements recorded throughout the year. The industry continues to evolve, and stakeholders are hopeful for a brighter future in 2025.
