Picture this: The 2024 Nigerian box office rankings drop, and everyone is expecting the usual suspects—Funke Akindele, Odunlade Adekola, Timini Egbuson, and maybe a sprinkle of AY Makun—to be the reigning kings and queens of cinema earnings. But just like a well-planned Nollywood plot twist, the biggest earner of the year isn’t who you expected.
No, it’s not the star-studded lead in an epic saga.
No, it’s not the face that dominated every movie poster.
And no, it’s not the usual box office heavyweight.
Ladies and gentlemen, the highest-grossing Nollywood actor of 2024 is… drumroll please Tobi Makinde!
Yes, you heard that right. The man didn’t just win the box office race—he obliterated it, pulling off what can only be described as the ultimate heist, taking home a staggering ₦1.140 billion from just TWO films: Everybody Loves Jenifa and 3 Working Days.
Now, let’s talk about how this cinematic robbery went down.
Step 1: Be in the Right Movie at the Right Time
Tobi Makinde’s secret weapon? Starring in the highest-grossing Nollywood film of the year.
Everybody Loves Jenifa raked in a whopping ₦1.125 billion, easily making it 2024’s biggest hit. And while most eyes were on Funke Akindele (who dominated the Highest Grossing Female Lead category), Tobi Makinde was quietly stacking up his own numbers.
Then, like a true mastermind, he threw in another project—3 Working Days—which gave him just enough earnings to slide past every single actor in Nollywood. Strategic. Genius. Unmatched.
Step 2: Prove That Supporting Actors Are the Real MVPs
Let’s be honest: When people think of “box office kings,” they usually imagine leading men with flashy action sequences, dramatic monologues, or tear-jerking love stories. But Tobi Makinde just rewrote the rules.
He wasn’t the leading man in either of his films—he played a supporting role and still managed to outshine every Nollywood A-lister. This is proof that being in the right supporting role can sometimes be more lucrative than carrying an entire movie on your back.
So, the next time someone calls a role “just supporting,” remind them that Tobi Makinde just supported his way to the top of the food chain.
Step 3: Let the Numbers Do the Talking
Now, if you’re still questioning how this heist happened, let’s break down the numbers:
🔹 Tobi Makinde (₦1.140B) → Everybody Loves Jenifa & 3 Working Days
🔹 Funke Akindele (₦1.125B) → Everybody Loves Jenifa
🔹 Falz (₦1.125B) → Everybody Loves Jenifa
🔹 Odunlade Adekola (₦718M) → Beast of Two Worlds, Lakatabu, Alakada Bad and Boujee, American Japa
🔹 Kunle Remi (₦501M) → Muri and Ko, Queen Lateefah
Not only did Makinde surpass every leading actor, but he also managed to edge out Funke Akindele and Falz—two of the biggest stars of the year—by a slim but crucial margin.
This is like coming to a party, eating just two plates of food, and still leaving with the biggest takeaway pack. Absolute legend.
Moral of the Story: Never Underestimate the Underdog
Tobi Makinde’s success proves one thing—you don’t have to be the loudest voice in the room to be the most powerful. Sometimes, you just need to play your role exceptionally well and let the numbers do the talking.
So, while everyone was busy focusing on the big-name leads, Makinde quietly pulled off the biggest box office heist of 2024.
