People & Money

Funke Akindele’s Omo Ghetto Beats Covid-19 to Set Nollywood Box Office Record

Published by
Ameenah Hassan

In 2010, a Nigerian crime comedy-drama film titled Omo Ghetto (child of the ghetto) starring Funke Akindele took the Nollywood scene by storm. This year, the actor and producer released a sequel – Omo ghetto: The Saga.

The comedy stars Funke Akindele in the dual role of Ayomide and Lefty, Tina Mba, Adebayo Salami aka Oga Bello, Chioma Akpotha, Bimbo Thomas. 

Since released during the yuletide season, December 25, 2020, the movie has not only received extremely positive reviews from critics, it has also shattered existing Nollywood records and set some of its own.

Omo ghetto: The Saga earned over ₦189 million in the opening week, becoming the first Nollywood film to gross over ₦99 million on its opening and more than N468 million in a month.

Also Read: Movie Review: “Don’t Get Mad, Get Even”

This week, it was declared Nollywood’s highest-grossing movie of all time, breaking the box office’s four-year record formerly held by Kemi Adetiba’s The Wedding Party

It has also surpassed previously released Fate of Alakada as the highest-grossing Nigerian film for the year 2020.

In a first-ever for a Nollywood movie, Omo ghetto: The Saga hit the cinemas in Dubai, United Arab Emirates (UAE) from the 21st of January, 2021.

Also Read: Movie Review – Living in Bondage (Rating: 7/10)

These achievements come at a time when the Covid-19 pandemic has altered lots of livelihoods and businesses, with lockdowns and restrictions also imposed by the government on public places like the cinema to rein in the virus.

“I didn’t think twice about running to the cinema to see Omo Ghetto even with the fear of getting coronavirus,” a viewer told Arbiterz. “And thank God Funke Akindele did not disappoint us. The movie is very funny, full of action, and touching. It also teaches a valuable lesson of not putting your trust in just anyone.” 

“At 2 hours and 30 minutes, Omo Ghetto, with its wordplay, comedic violence, and twisted truths of the underground lifestyle of trouble makers in Lagos ghettos, is undoubtedly the funniest movie of 2020,” another viewer said.

Ameenah Hassan is an intern at Arbiterz.

Ameenah Hassan

Ameenah Hassan is a content writer with experience in public relations. She has contributed to Arbiterz since 2021, writing research-based news and features on business. She is currently pursuing a degree in Mass Communication at the University of Lagos.

Recent Posts

D’Tigress Advance to FIBA Women’s AfroBasket 2025 Final, Eyeing Historic Fifth Straight Title

Abidjan, Côte d'Ivoire – Nigeria’s women’s basketball team, the D’Tigress, has stormed into the final… Read More

9 hours ago

MTN Nigeria Becomes Second NGX Company to Hit ₦10 Trillion Market Cap

MTN Nigeria Communications Plc became the second Nigerian Exchange Limited (NGX)–listed firm to surpass a ₦10… Read More

21 hours ago

PSG Star Achraf Hakimi Faces Potential 15-Year Prison Sentence as Prosecutors Seek Rape Trial

Paris Saint-Germain (PSG) and Morocco defender Achraf Hakimi is facing serious legal consequences as French… Read More

1 day ago

INEC Voter Registration 2025: Online Pre-Registration Begins August 18 Nationwide

The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has announced that the 2025 Continuous Voter Registration (CVR)… Read More

1 day ago

IPMAN to Enforce 45,000-Litre Limit on Petrol Tankers from October 1 to Curb Road Disasters

In a decisive move to reduce the rising number of tanker-related accidents on Nigerian roads,… Read More

1 day ago

Dangote Refinery Appoints New CEO, David Bird, to Drive Growth, Resolve Output Woes

Dangote Petroleum Refinery & Petrochemicals has named David Bird, former head of Oman’s Duqm refinery,… Read More

1 day ago