Contents
This is a list of Nigerian films released in 2023.
This is a list of Nigerian films released in 2023.
| Opening | Title | Director | Cast | Genre | Notes | Ref. | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| January | 13 | The Trade | Jadesola Osiberu | Rita Dominic | Crime drama | Based on true events | [1] |
| 23 | Mami Wata | C. J. Obasi | Evelyne Ily Juhen | Fantasy | Based on West African folklore | [2] | |
| February | 3 | Dark October | Toka McBaror | Chuks Joseph Munachi Okpara Oriaku Kelechukwu James | Based on the Aluu Four lynching | [3] | |
| March | |||||||
| Opening | Title | Director | Cast | Genre | Notes | Ref. | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| April | |||||||
| May | |||||||
| June | |||||||
| Opening | Title | Director | Cast | Genre | Notes | Ref. | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| July | |||||||
| August | |||||||
| September | |||||||
| Opening | Title | Director | Cast | Genre | Notes | Ref. | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| October | |||||||
| November | |||||||
| December | 1 | Áfàméfùnà: An Nwa Boi Story | Kayode Kasum | Stan Nze, Kanayo O. Kanayo, Alexx Ekubo, Atlanta Bridget Johnson, Segun Arinze | Drama | Language: Igbo | |
Nigeria, officially the Federal Republic of Nigeria, is a country in West Africa. It is situated between the Sahel to the north and the Gulf of Guinea in the Atlantic Ocean to the south. It covers an area of 923,769 square kilometres (356,669 sq mi). With a population of more than 230 million, it is the most populous country in Africa, and the world's sixth-most populous country. Nigeria borders Niger in the north, Chad in the northeast, Cameroon in the east, and Benin in the west. Nigeria is a federal republic comprising 36 states and the Federal Capital Territory, where its capital, Abuja, is located. The largest city in Nigeria is Lagos, one of the largest metropolitan areas in the world and the largest in Africa.
Lagos, or Lagos City, is a large metropolitan city in southwest Nigeria. With an upper population estimated above 21 million dwellers, it is the largest city in Nigeria, and the most populous urban area on the African continent. Lagos was the national capital of Nigeria until the government's December 1991 decision to move their capital to Abuja in the centre of the country. Lagos is a major African financial centre and is the economic hub of Lagos State and Nigeria at large. The city has a significant influence on commerce, entertainment, technology, education, politics, tourism, art, and fashion in Africa. Lagos is also among the top ten of the world's fastest-growing cities and urban areas. In 2024, Time Out magazine ranked Lagos as the 19th Best City to visit in the World. A megacity, it has the fourth-highest GDP in Africa, and houses one of the largest and busiest seaports on the continent. Due to the large urban population and port traffic volumes, Lagos is classified as a Medium-Port Megacity and the most fast rising city.
The cinema of Nigeria, often referred to informally as Nollywood, consists of films produced in Nigeria; its history dates back to as early as the late 19th century and into the colonial era in the early 20th century. The history and development of the Nigerian motion picture industry is sometimes generally classified in four main eras: the Colonial era, Golden Age era, Video film era and the emerging New Nigerian cinema era.
Niger is a state in the North Central region of Nigeria. It is the largest state in the country by area. The state capital is Minna. Other major cities are Bida, Kontagora and Suleja. Niger state was formed in 1976 when the then North-Western State was divided into Niger State and Sokoto State. It is home state of two former Nigerian military heads of state — Ibrahim Babangida and Abdulsalami Abubakar. The Nupe, Gbagyi, Kamuku, Kambari, and Hausa form the majority of numerous indigenous tribes of Niger State. Other tribes in the state are Adara, Koro Gungawa, and Hun-Saare.
The University of Benin (UNIBEN) is a public research university located in Benin City, Edo State, Nigeria. It is among the universities owned by the Federal Government of Nigeria and was founded in 1970. The school currently has two campuses with fifteen faculties including a central library called the John Harris Library. The buildings in UNIBEN are sparsely built, they are not close to each other.
Genevieve Nnaji is a Nigerian actress, producer, and director. She won the Africa Movie Academy Award for Best Actress in a Leading Role in 2005, making her the first actor to win the award. In 2011, she was honoured as a Member of the Order of the Federal Republic by the Nigerian government for her contributions to Nollywood. Her directorial debut movie, Lionheart, is the first Netflix film from Nigeria and the first Nigerian submission for the Oscars. The movie was disqualified for having most of its dialogue in English. After having spent decades in the movie industry, she was profiled alongside some celebrities and business executives in 2020 in two new books by the publisher and editor in chief of Yes International! magazine, Azuh Arinze.
Omotola Jalade Ekeinde, is a Nigerian actress, singer, philanthropist and former model. Since her Nollywood film debut in 1995, Ekeinde has appeared in over 300 films, selling millions of copies. Omotola is the second Nigerian and first Nigerian celebrity to receive over 1 million likes on her Facebook page. She currently has a total of 3 million followers on Facebook.
Iniobong Edo Ekim is a veteran Nigerian actress from Akwa Ibom State. Ini Edo began her film career in 2000, and has featured in more than 200 movies since her debut. In 2013, Ini Edo was a judge for the Miss Black Africa UK Pageant and De9jaSpirit Talent Hunt. In 2014, Miss Ini Edo was appointed by the United Nations as a United Nations Habitat Youth Envoy.
Imo is a state in the South-East geopolitical zone of Nigeria, bordered to the north by Anambra State, Rivers State to the west and south, and Abia State to the east. It takes its name from the Imo River which flows along the state's eastern border. The state capital is Owerri and the State's slogan is the "Eastern Heartland."
Olufunke Ayotunde Akindele popularly known as Funke Akindele or Jenifa, is a Nigerian filmmaker, actress, director, producer, politician and realtor. Akindele starred in the sitcom I Need to Know from 1998 to 2002 and in 2009, she won the Africa Movie Academy Award for Best Actress in a Leading Role, for her role in Jenifa, which brought her to fame. Akindele reprised the role in 2011 sequel The Return of Jenifa and 2015 soft reboot television series titled Jenifa's Diary, for which she was named the Best Actress in a Comedy at the 2016 and 2017 Africa Magic Viewers Choice Awards. Akindele won the same award in 2020 and 2022, making it her fifth win for the Best Actress in a Comedy category. Akindele is the most nominated actress/filmmaker at the AMVCA and holds the record for most wins for an actress with six. She is the second director to gross over a billion naira at box office and is currently the Highest-Grossing Director in Nigerian Box Office with a total gross of over ₦4.3 billion.
Kunle Afolayan is a Nigerian actor, producer, and director. He is credited for elevating the quality of Nollywood movies through larger budgets, shooting on 35mm, releasing in cinemas, and improving cliché Nollywood storylines. After starting his film career as an actor in the 1999 political drama Saworoide, Afolayan made his directorial debut in 2006 with Irapada, a Nigerian supernatural thriller, which won the Africa Movie Academy Award for Best Film in an African Language. His subsequent directing credits include The Figurine, Phone Swap, October 1, and Citation.
Mercy Johnson Okojie is a Nigerian actress, film director and film producer. She attended Rivers State Secondary School and also the Nigerian Navy Secondary School in Port Harcourt, Rivers State, Nigeria. Right after her secondary education, she auditioned for a role in the movie titled The Maid and subsequently acted in other movies such as Hustlers, Baby Oku in America, and War in the Palace.
Osariemen Martha Elizabeth Ighodaro is a Nigerian actress, television host and philanthropist born in the United States. She won the 2010 Miss Black USA Pageant and founded the Joyful Joy Foundation, a fundraising organization for malaria. Osas emerged as the highest-grossing Nollywood actress of 2018 and was awarded Best Actress in a Drama consecutively at the 2022 and 2023 AMVCA for her roles in Rattlesnake: The Ahanna Story and Man of God, respectively.
Linda Ifeoma Ikeji is a Nigerian blogger, writer, entrepreneur, and former model. She is known for her blog and controversial online publications.
Femi Adebayo Salami is a Nigerian film director, actor, lawyer, producer and special adviser to the Governor of Kwara State on Arts, Culture, and Tourism. He is the son of actor Adebayo Salami. He won the Best Actor in a Supporting Role in the 2024 Africa Movie Academy Awards for his role in Jagun Jagun.
Odunlade Jonathan Adekola ; born 31 December 1976) is a Nigerian actor, film-maker, film producer and film director. He gained popularity and was widely known for his lead role in Ishola Durojaye's 2003 movie, Asiri Gomina Wa, and has acted in many Nollywood movies since then. He is the founder and CEO of the Odunlade Adekola Film Production (OAFP).
Soubin Shahir is an Indian actor, director and producer who works in Malayalam cinema. He began his film career as an assistant director in 2003 and worked under several directors. Soubin made his acting debut in 2013 with a supporting role in Annayum Rasoolum. He made his directorial debut with the drama Parava (2017).
Rahama Ibrahim Sadau is a Nigerian actress, filmmaker, and singer. Born and raised in Kaduna, she performed in dancing competitions as a child and during her school years. She rose to fame in late 2013 after joining the Kannywood movie industry with her first movie Gani ga Wane.
