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| Image:DailyPost |
Toyin Abraham and Funke Akindele are undeniably two of the biggest forces in Nollywood, and in 2025, their cinematic rivalry reached a fever pitch with both actresses releasing major films that rocked the Nigerian box office.
While they’ve both enjoyed commercial success over the years, this year’s competition has become more intense, more publicized, and more financially impactful than ever before.
Funke Akindele returned to cinemas with Everybody Loves Jenifa, a film that has not only broken records but redefined Nollywood box office standards.
The movie, which premiered in December 2024 and continued to dominate into early 2025, grossed a staggering ₦1.88 billion, becoming the highest-grossing Nigerian film of all time. From its opening weekend, it was clear that Funke was setting the pace. It raked in over ₦500 million in just 12 days and surpassed ₦1 billion within three weeks of release.
This monumental success underscored Funke’s unmatched marketing power, deep audience loyalty, and storytelling strategy built around a character Jenifa that resonates across generations.
Toyin Abraham, not one to be left behind, premiered her film Alakada: Bad and Boujee just one week after Funke’s release.
While the timing may have seemed like a direct challenge, Toyin’s film held its own. It drew in impressive numbers, earning over ₦134 million in its first week and eventually crossing the ₦500 million mark.
That figure is nothing to downplay it places Toyin among the few elite Nollywood filmmakers capable of delivering a half-billion-naira film. Her fan base showed up, and the comedy franchise that started years ago continues to prove its longevity.
However, despite the success of Alakada: Bad and Boujee, Funke Akindele remains ahead in terms of pure box office figures. With Everybody Loves Jenifa commanding nearly four times the revenue of Toyin’s release, Funke’s dominance in 2025 is unquestionable.
The cultural impact of her film, coupled with its earnings, places her at the top of the Nollywood hierarchy this year.
That said, both women have contributed significantly to what has been one of Nollywood’s most commercially vibrant periods.
Their films alone generated a combined total of over ₦2 billion in box office revenue. They’ve also set new standards for female-led productions, high-budget marketing campaigns, and strategic holiday releases.
In the court of public opinion, the debate over who is better or more beloved will continue, but the numbers tell a clear story.
Funke Akindele owns the box office crown so far in 2025. Still, Toyin Abraham’s consistent rise and fearless approach to storytelling suggest that this rivalry is far from over.
The only winners in this friendly competition are the Nollywood audience, who continue to enjoy premium, locally made entertainment on a scale that rivals global productions.
#FunkeAkindele
#ToyinAbraham
#Nollywood
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