Funke Akindele has been a household name in Nollywood for nearly three decades, and one role that has brought her to the limelight is Jenifa. When Akindele introduced the character in 2006, she probably had no idea it would grow into one of the most beloved characters in Nigerian cinema.
From Jenifa to Jenifa’s Diary and now Everybody Loves Jenifa (ELJ), this character has not ceased entertaining audiences. The latest instalment, ELJ, premiered on December 13, 2024, and it is already smashing records, grossing over N300 million in just its first week. With this film, Funke Akindele is proving once again why she is one of Nollywood’s finest film producers.
“History made as the second screen for Everybody Loves Jenifa, on December 20th UK premiere is SOLD OUT. The first time a Nigerian film is achieving this feat.” – Akindele shares on her Instagram handle.
The Legacy of Jenifa
The character ‘Jenifa’ began as a quirky, determined village girl trying to find her way in the city. Audiences couldn’t get enough of her hilarious antics and unique speaking style. The first movie was a hit, and by the time the Return of Jenifa came out in 2010, it was clear that this character had taken on a life of her own.
Akindele then turned Jenifa into a full-blown franchise with the wildly successful series Jenifa’s Diary. She even tapped into new media with projects like the Jenifa mobile game – to help players improve their spelling ability and use of the English language. Then, she took a philanthropic turn with the Jenifa Foundation, which helps to empower young people.
Akindele has made a mega comeback by releasing the third instalment, ‘Everybody Loves Jenifa’.
The movie features a star-studded cast, including Falz, Omowunmi Dada, Jackie Appiah, Nancy Isime, Destiny Etiko, Patience Ozokwor, Lateef Adedimeji, Bisola Aiyeola, Chimezie Imo, Jide Kosoko, Ayoola Akinyoola, Michael Uba, Tobi Makinde, Hilda Baci, Wendy Ubakanma, Paschaline Alex, D’banj, Layi Wasabi, and Cute Abiola, among others-all of whom bring their A-game to the screen. True to the ‘Jenifa’ tradition, the film is a mix of humour, drama, and a bit of Jenifa’s signature sass.
The numbers don’t lie.
From the moment it hit cinemas on December 13, 2024, the movie has been breaking records and setting new benchmarks for Nollywood.
ELJ grossed a staggering N206 million on its opening weekend, earning the title of the highest-grossing opening weekend in Nollywood history. It didn’t stop there. The film raked in an impressive N87.8 million in one day, setting yet another record.
With screenings in 33 countries, including Ghana, the UK, and beyond, ELJ has reached new audiences, taken Jenifa’s story global, and cemented its place as an international hit.
Funke Akindele had ambitious goals for the new movie, projecting a whopping N5 billion in earnings. She backs this up with a well-thought-out strategy, as the film’s global distribution spans 33 countries beyond Nigeria.
While everyone celebrates the success of her latest release, one can’t help but wonder what’s next for Funke Akindele.
