Nollywood star Toyin Abraham has reached a major industry milestone as her film Oversabi Aunty has officially surpassed ₦1 billion in cinema revenue.
Figures released by film distributor FilmOne show that the movie has earned ₦1.01 billion from theatres across West Africa, cementing its place among Nollywood’s most commercially successful films.
A Record-Breaking Nollywood Achievement
With this performance, Oversabi Aunty now ranks as the fourth-highest-grossing Nigerian film in cinema history. The film has also set a new benchmark as the first directorial debut in Nollywood to cross the ₦1 billion mark.
The movie recorded more than ₦700 million within its first three weeks of release and has continued to draw strong audiences weeks after its debut, demonstrating sustained box office appeal.
Why the Milestone Matters for Nollywood
Although Nollywood has seen a rise in billion-naira box office hits in recent years, crossing the ₦1 billion threshold remains a major indicator of commercial success. The industry’s growing ability to deliver consistent theatrical hits reflects increasing audience confidence in cinema releases.
What makes Oversabi Aunty stand out is the fact that it was not driven by a long-established directing reputation. Its success highlights a shift in audience priorities toward compelling storytelling, strong casting, and market buzz, potentially creating more opportunities for new filmmakers.
West African Cinemas Drive Revenue Growth
FilmOne confirmed that the film’s earnings were generated not only in Nigeria but also from cinemas across West Africa, underscoring Nollywood’s expanding regional reach.
As filmmakers increasingly pursue cross-border theatrical releases, West Africa is becoming a crucial market for driving box office growth beyond Nigeria alone.
Cinema-First Strategy Still Profitable
The success of Oversabi Aunty reinforces the value of theatrical-first releases, even as streaming platforms continue to reshape film distribution models.
Surpassing ₦1 billion before a digital release demonstrates that cinema runs remain a powerful revenue stream, offering producers strong returns before films move to streaming platforms.
Raising Expectations Across the Industry
As more Nollywood titles achieve blockbuster-level earnings, industry standards are shifting. Distributors and investors may begin to focus more on projects with high commercial potential, rather than funding a large number of lower-performing films.
For Toyin Abraham, Oversabi Aunty represents both a personal triumph and a broader signal of Nollywood’s growing confidence, competitiveness, and commercial maturity.
