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The Executive Director/Chief Executive Officer of the National Film and Video Censors Board (NFVCB), Shaibu Husseini, has reaffirmed the Board’s commitment to excellence, professionalism, and commercial growth in Nigeria’s film industry as it honoured renowned filmmaker and actress Funke Akindele with the prestigious Nollywood Box Office Champion Award.
Akindele received the award for her record-breaking films Omo Ghetto (2020), Everybody Loves Jenifa (2024/2025), and Behind The Scenes (2026), which grossed ₦2.7 billion at the box office.
Speaking at the award ceremony held at the NFVCB Lagos Office and attended by leading industry stakeholders, Husseini described the recognition as a celebration of excellence and a milestone in Nigerian cinema.
“As the regulatory body for film classification, distribution, and exhibition, the NFVCB remains committed not only to upholding standards but also to encouraging industry growth,” he said.
The Board noted that Akindele has dominated the Nigerian box office for four consecutive years, setting new records, expanding cinema audiences, and proving that Nigerian stories can achieve both cultural impact and commercial success.
Her achievement, it added, reflects vision, discipline, strategic distribution, and strong audience engagement.
“This award is more than a trophy,” Husseini added. “It affirms that excellence and professionalism will always be recognised and highlights the vast potential of Nigeria’s creative economy.”
In her goodwill message, the Honourable Minister of Arts, Culture, Creative Economy and Tourism, Hannatu Musa Musawa, represented by Mrs. Tola Akelere, described Akindele as a “phenomenon” whose consistency and creativity have set industry benchmarks.
She said Akindele’s four-year box office dominance underscores Nollywood’s cultural influence and economic strength while projecting Nigeria positively worldwide.
Chairperson of the Africa International Film Festival (AFRIFF), Chioma Ude, praised Akindele’s originality and storytelling, recalling the impact of The Return of Jenifa. She described her as a leading creative force with growing global appeal.
General Manager of the National Theatre, Mrs. Akerele, also commended Akindele’s resilience, humility, and discipline, noting that her career remains an inspiration, particularly to women in the industry. Goodwill messages also came from the Audio‑Visual Rights Society of Nigeria, Association of Movie Producers, Actors Guild of Nigeria, Cinema Exhibitors Association of Nigeria, and the Directors Guild of Nigeria.
In her acceptance remarks, Akindele attributed her success to dedication, planning, and commitment to excellence. She described the award as motivation to aim higher and thanked industry stakeholders for their support.
She urged practitioners to prioritise unity and collaboration, stressing that Nollywood belongs to everyone. Addressing public reactions to her energetic dance promotions for Behind The Scenes, she said the approach was a creative, cost-effective marketing strategy designed to connect with audiences.
“Nollywood is big enough for everyone,” she said, calling on established professionals to support emerging talents.
