Nigeria’s box office rakes in N819m from sales in January, as Nollywood records 340 movies in Q4, 2022

Cinema Exhibitors Association of Nigeria (CEAN) says it recorded total sales of N819 million in January, this year, across film houses in the country.

This is just as the country’s film industry, also known as Nollywood, disclosed that it produced a total of 340 movies in the last quarter of 2022.

CEAN National Chairman, Mr Ope Ajayi, Monday, in Lagos, further disclosed that the cinema sub-sector recorded a total 324,408 total number of admissions, representing tickets, under the same period.

“We had an increase in sales in January with N819,154,913.00. The month was a beautiful one, with 324,408 total number of admissions at the cinemas.

“The top five films for the month of January were: Battle on Buka Street, Ijakumo, Avatar, Black Panther and Plane.

“February promises to be better with thrilling and action packed films for the month,” he said.

Ajayi said that the films cinema lovers could watch out for in the month of February included: ‘Titanic remastered,’ ‘Antman vs Wasp quantumania,’ ‘Cocaine bear,’ ‘Luther,’ ‘Die Hart,’ and ‘Love in a pandemic.’

Meanwhile, the National Film and Video Censors Board (NFVCB) has disclosed that it received and censored 340 movies produced by the country’s film industry in the fourth quarter of 2022.

This is contained in a statement issued by the Executive Director of NFVCB, Alhaji Adedayo Thomas, Friday in Abuja.

According to Mr. Thomas, the figure represents all films submitted to the board from across the country.

“The report is for onward submission to the relevant Federal Government agency as an input for the compilation of the nation’s Gross Domestic Product (GDP) for the fourth quarter (Q4, 2022).

“The report shows a decrease in the number of movies produced from 489 in the third quarter to 340 in the fourth quarter of 2022.

“118 of the films came in from Abuja censorship centre of the board, representing the chunk of the movies produced during the period under review.

“Followed by Lagos State with 115 movies as indicted in the report, Onitsha recorded 91, Kano nine and Benin four movies respectively,” he said .

The analysis by censorship location further shows that Jos recorded three films ,while Port Harcourt, Ibadan, Bauchi and Abeokuta did not rake in any film for the period under review.

“This clearly portrays the contribution of the film industry to economic growth in terms of direct and indirect jobs in the entire value chain in filmmaking.

“Our cordial relationship with the recognised guilds and associations in the industry has played important role, as we urge them to ensure that their members submit their films for censorship and approval.

“As a Federal Government agency committed to providing enabling environment for filmmakers, NFVCB will always ensure that uncensored and other unwholesome films do not find their way into the Nigeria market,” he added.