Nollywood has officially welcomed its newest billion-naira director.
Toyin Abraham‘s debut feature, Oversabi Aunty, has shattered records, crossing the coveted ₦1 billion mark at the box office and securing its place as the fourth-highest-grossing Nollywood film of all time.
The comedy, distributed by FilmOne Entertainment, achieved the historic milestone in just six weeks of release. With current earnings at ₦1.015 billion, Abraham’s first outing behind the camera has entered an elite club, joining the ranks of Behind The Scenes (₦2.407B), Everybody Loves Jenifa, and A Tribe Called Judah.
“This is a full celebration for West Africa!” Abraham declared, marking a personal career peak. The film’s success makes her the first Nigerian director to see their debut film hit the billion-naira benchmark, a testament to her star power and resonant storytelling.
Oversabi Aunty’s rapid ascent highlights a transformative period for the industry. The film’s performance signals robust audience demand and a thriving cinema culture, with the top five films from a recent weekend alone grossing nearly ₦4 billion collectively.
The film continues its successful run in Nigerian cinemas and select UK theatres, with a highly anticipated release in the United States and Canada announced for the coming weeks.
Industry analysts see Oversabi Aunty’s achievement as a powerful indicator for 2026. “Nollywood continues to set new benchmarks,” a FilmOne representative stated. “A director’s first film achieving this is unprecedented.
It points to a robust year ahead and proves that audiences are enthusiastically supporting homegrown stories.”
