The Ferdinand Effah Music Heritage Foundation (FEMHF) has called for urgent national attention to the growing needs of vulnerable autistic individuals and their families.
The foundation warned that low awareness, stigma and limited access to support services continue to expose many Nigerians living with autism to neglect and social exclusion.
Against this backdrop, FEMHF, in a statement on Tuesday by its President and Trustee, Stanley Effah, announced the deployment of music as a creative advocacy tool, unveiling an annual concert initiative designed to use the unifying power of music to drive autism awareness, promote acceptance and mobilise practical support for autistic individuals and their caregivers across Nigeria.
The Foundation said the initiative was conceived in response to the growing challenges faced by autistic individuals and their caregivers, including social stigma, limited access to specialised services, financial strain and inadequate public awareness.
Effah stressed that music provides a powerful and inclusive medium to bridge these gaps, adding, “Music, like positive memories, is a universal language that brings people together.
“It has the power to connect communities, humanise lived experiences and give visibility to autistic individuals and families whose needs are often overlooked by society and policymakers.”
Under the programme, he said FEMHF will host annual live concerts featuring leading Nigerian music artists, its in-house ensemble Ferdy’s Band, as well as autistic individuals and groups who have demonstrated talent in music and live performance.
The concerts, according to the Foundation, are expected to create a safe and inclusive space where autistic individuals and their families can engage directly with the wider public, share their experiences, and challenge misconceptions about autism.
The Foundation explained that showcasing the abilities of autistic individuals is central to the initiative.
“These concerts are not just about entertainment. They are about celebrating talent, reinforcing dignity and reminding society that autistic individuals have abilities, aspirations and contributions that deserve recognition and support,” Effah added.
Beyond awareness, the concerts will also function as a structured fundraising platform, FEMHF affirmed, noting that proceeds will be channelled towards supporting autistic children and young adults from less privileged families who are unable to afford essential therapies, medical interventions and specialised education.
The Foundation disclosed that funds raised will also be invested in long-term skills acquisition and development programmes aimed at empowering autistic individuals for self-reliance and sustainable livelihoods.
Despite all the hurdles and challenges faced by Nigerian film producers, Nollywood can be guaranteed a billion Naira rain every year with Funke Akindele, Toyin Abraham and Femi Adebayo in the mix.
For another year after grossing over a billion Naira 2023 film, ‘A Tribe called Judah,’, Akindele’s 2025 release, ‘Behind The Scenes,’ again, has grossed over a billion Naira mark after release in the festive period.
In 2024, ‘A Tribe Called Judah,’ which was released on December 15, 2023, grossed over a billion Naira and made history as the first Nigerian film to achieve such a feat. In 2025, Akindele’s ‘Behind The Scenes,’ which was released on December 12, 2o25, grossed a total of N1, 767, 305, 878 as at the end of December. It is unsure if the film will not gross N2billion mark to achieve another feat and make history.
Akindele, it appears, has continued to break her own records in Nollywood with successful cinema runs. From ‘Jenifa’ to ‘Return of Jenifa,’ ‘Omo Ghetto,’ ‘A Tribe Called Judah,’ and ‘Behind The Scenes,’ it has been one success story to the other.
On her recent success with ‘Behind The Scenes,’ Akindele said, “Forever grateful to God and my fans. Thank you for the love and support over the years. Big thanks to the distributors, cast, crew, and colleagues.”
The filmmaker cum actress, isn’t the only one raking in hundreds of millions, other filmmakers including Toyin Abraham, Femi Adebayo, Timini Egbuson, and Wumi Toriola have made a fortune from cinema runs and contributed largely to Nollywood’s GDP.
Toyin Abraham, who, equally, seemed to have mastered the cinema run trick with films that have become successful at the box office, contributed to Nollywood’s billion Naira bounty in 2025 with her release, ‘Oversabi Aunty.’
As at January 7, the film had grossed a total of N711m in only 18 days after release. The film joins a long list of successful films by Abraham, which have done well at the box office. Her 2024 feature, ‘Alakada: Bad and Boujee,’ peaked at N500m in 15 weeks.
For 2025 and joining Akindele in making historic feats are Femi Adebayo’s whose ‘Ageshinkole 2’ made N417m in 12 days after selling for a flat rate of N3,000 across six states in the South West of Nigeria.
Unlike Abraham and Akindele, Adebayo decided to chart another pathway to making more funds in Nollywood with the employment of selected community cinemas only to screen his film at a controlled price.
On his success and reason for the route, Adebayo, in a chat, said, “The idea was consummated with my partners – Circuit TV. We decided to open another channel of revenue and point of meeting the fans half way after I had noticed that some of our fans, who can’t afford the luxury of the cinema for different reasons ranging from pricing to distance but genuinely want to see our films. I remembered my father and veterans before us used to have traveling theatre and I just felt it was possible and I discussed it with my partners, who embraced it and we worked out the dynamics. Circuit TV also assured and worked on ensuring the content wasn’t pirated. To God be the glory for the success and I am happy I championed this route.”
A total of N2.895 billion formed a larger sum of Nollywood’s GDP for 2025 through the three filmmakers only.
The laudable feat is not new to Nollywood since the boom of cinema culture, however, challenges remain constant for filmmakers and producers, who invest heavily in production of the content.
It is believed that cinema operators and distributors earn more than the filmmakers and producers cum investors in the chain of ROI, hence, multiple complaints from filmmakers and producers.
It is also alleged that some films seem to enjoy more screen time than other films depending on the distributor and cinema operators. Many have argued covertly and overtly that films produced and distributed by Filmone entertainment, which has a studio, distribution arm and chains of cinemas littered across Nigeria and some West African countries, tend to do better in cinema than other films distributed and or produced by other filmmaking companies.
The claims have been largely refuted at different fora by the management of Filmone entertainment as well as the leadership of Cinema and Exhibitors Association of Nigeria, CEAN, insisting there isn’t bias or favouritism as has been claimed and alleged in several quarters.
The Cinema Exhibitors Association of Nigeria denied the allegations of favoritism and unfair practices stating that cinema scheduling is driven by audience demand, real-time ticket sales, and market performance, not bias, a standard global practice. CEAN clarified that high-performing films get more showtimes to meet demand, and encouraged filmmakers to use formal channels for complaints, proposing a roundtable dialogue to address issues like poor screening times for films.
Service of Songs and candlelight procession was held yesterday, January 8, 2026 at LTV 8, Ikeja, Lagos. The event was signed off with an Artistes’ Night at the same venue.
After a career as a child actress on television, Ademola began featuring in Nollywood films from 1992, performing in both English and Yoruba.
Aside from screen acting, she also appeared on stage, including at the National Theatre, and released an album in 2006 with the band Allwell and Company.
Lagos has once again come alive as 1,216 artistes, delegates, and members of the production team entered the city for the ninth edition of the All Africa Music Awards (AFRIMA).
The figure was announced at the Welcome Soirée for nominees and guests at the home of the British Deputy High Commissioner, which officially marked the start of AFRIMA Week.
Speaking at the event, AFRIMA President and Executive Producer, Mike Dada, said the turnout showed the growing strength of African music and how AFRIMA, in partnership with the African Union Commission, is using the platform to enhance creative economies of African countries.
He said: “This year’s AFRIMA has once again demonstrated the immense power and global pull of African music. As we speak, a total of 1,216 artistes, delegates, and members of our production team have arrived in Lagos. This number includes 732 artistes and managers, 301 delegates from across Africa and the diaspora, and 183 technical production professionals working tirelessly behind the scenes.
“You can imagine how that number can impact our economy, how much benefit Lagos’ tourism capacity demonstrates. It is huge for us and we are happy to work with the Lagos State government and other partners to bring this benefit to our economy and our city.”
Dada said AFRIMA understands the power and value of music as a force for good, which drives integration and inclusion, promotes peace across Africa and the world, as well as fuels economic growth within the creative industry.
“First, music is a powerful tool for integration and inclusion. Second, it is a catalyst for peace, both across our continent and globally. And of course, music is a driver of economic growth within the creative industry.
“For us, AFRIMA is about connecting people. We do not see colour. What we see is talent, whether you are white, black, blue, or green. What matters to us is the humanity that exists in all of us. That shared humanity is what has informed our partnerships and our purpose,” he added.
Dada thanked the Lagos State government and AFRIMA partners, including First Bank, Guinness, Glenfiddich, and the Swedish Government.
The AFRIMA President also expressed appreciation to the United Kingdom (UK) Government for hosting the event, saying: “We do not take this partnership for granted.”
Also, British Deputy High Commissioner Jonny Baxter applauded the strong ties between the UK, Nigeria, and Africa through music.
The envoy said African artistes are achieving major global success.
He added that Afrobeats is “now dominating the charts in the UK and across the globe. It is extremely important for us that we continue to build our connection to music and other creative industries. The UK is committed to partnerships that bring mutual economic development”.
Lagos State Commissioner for Tourism, Arts and Culture, Mrs. Toke Benson-Awoyinka, said: “Lagos is Africa’s cultural capital, a city where creativity lives loudly, where ideas scale rapidly, and where talent finds opportunity. Through the Lagos State Ministry of Tourism, Arts and Culture, we remain unwavering in our commitment to building an enabling ecosystem where creatives can thrive, collaborate, and compete successfully on the world stage.”
Actors and actresses gathered to pay last respects to their late colleague and producer, Allwell Ademola, at a special prayer and Service of Songs on Thursday.
Ademola, 49, passed away on December 27 after suffering a heart attack at her residence.
The event was attended by notable figures in the industry, including Odunlade Adekola, Iyabo Ojo, Saheed Balogun, Bolaji Amusan and Fathia Williams.
Rotimi Salami, one of Ademola’s closest friends, delivered an emotional tribute, urging attendees to forgive Ademola for any perceived wrongs and to keep her legacy alive.
Big Brother Naija star Tacha has expressed frustration and sadness over the renewed impeachment process against Rivers Governor, Sim Fubara, citing the persistent political instability that has stalled progress in her home state.
In a statement on X, Tacha lamented the lack of development in Rivers State, contrasting it with Lagos, which she says is moving forward despite its problems.
“This is why I don’t criticise Lagos. It has its problems, but at least there is progress,” she said.
Tacha called on residents of Rivers State to unite and address the challenges facing the state.
“I genuinely feel sad for Rivers State. Fact is, I grew up there, I love that place deeply. But every time Rivers is in the news, it’s one political fight or the other. No progress stories. No excitement. Just live chaos. And for the past two years, not one solid development headline. You start to wonder how businesses and investments are even surviving. This is why I don’t drag Lagos.
“Lagos has issues, yes, but at least it’s moving. When I look at R/S, I just ask: when will this state be allowed to breathe? When will the people breathe? With what’s happening now, it’s clear the next few years are already being wasted till the next elections. It’s a shame. I pray one day the people of Rivers get tired, come together, and truly fix the state,” she wrote.
Actor and producer Timini Egbuson has announced the death of his father, sharing the news on his official Instagram page on Sunday.
The actor, brother to actress Dakore Egbuson-Akande, expressed his grief in a post, saying, “Didn’t think I’ll start the year saying this .. Rest in peace Dad. So much left unsaid, but I’ll keep making you proud.”
The announcement has drawn widespread condolences from the entertainment industry, with notable figures including Funke Akindele, Uzee Usman, Kiekie, Gabriel Afolayan, and Mercy Aigbe offering their sympathies and prayers for the departed soul.
Actress Bimbo Thomas has recounted a harrowing experience where armed robbers invaded a hotel housing the cast and crew of Omo Ghetto Part Two during filming in Ebute Metta, Lagos.
The attackers, who seemed to be targeting filmmaker Funke Akindele, broke into the hotel late at night, terrifying the actresses.
Thomas, in an interview with Chude Jideonwo, said filming the thuggery-themed movie attracted frequent disruptions from hoodlums in the area.
“We were filming in Ebute Metta, and boys would always come on set to disturb us because it’s a thuggery movie, and they felt we were depicting their everyday life.
“It’s my hood. I grew up in Ebute Metta, so I thought they would accord me that respect, but we still had to bring security so we could shoot freely,” she added.
Thomas said the ordeal began around midnight with loud bangs and shouts of “Ole! Ole!” as the attackers tried to force their way in.
According to Bimbo, she, Akindele, and others hid in the bathroom, praying and trying to conceal Akindele’s identity.
“We didn’t know what to do. We were praying. Funke is a prayer warrior, so we all started praying,” she said.
In a desperate attempt to protect Akindele, Thomas said they tried to hide her.
“I told them, ‘She’s the face here.’ We tried to put Funke under the bed, but it didn’t work, so we moved to the bathroom,” she said.
The attackers eventually broke in and took Akindele away, forcing her to sing and dance.
Thomas described the scene as “deeply disturbing,” saying she thought they would all be killed.
“When they came back the second time, it was clear they were looking for Funke. They kept calling her name.
“I thought they would just take what they wanted and leave us, but they told her to put on her clothes and dragged her downstairs to her car.
“I came downstairs and heard her singing Emi Omo Ghetto. I didn’t understand what was happening. They asked her to sing and dance, and she did,” Thomas said.
The attackers were later chased away by security forces, and some were reportedly arrested or killed.
Thomas linked the attack to an earlier incident on set where some locals were arrested and made to apologise.
“Some boys disturbing us were arrested and made to record apology videos. Even though we had settled the area before filming, that incident offended them,” she said.
She thanked God for their survival, saying she was ready to defend Akindele to the end.
“I was thankful. At that moment, I was ready to attack one of them without thinking of the consequences. I could have been killed.
“When Funke later asked why I didn’t give her up to them, I told her, ‘If they were going to kill you, they would have killed us together. We thank God. Truly, we thank God,” she added.
The General Overseer of the Redeemed Christian Church of God, Pastor Enoch Adeboye, has attributed the mercy of God for British-Nigerian boxing champion Anthony Joshua’s survival in a fatal auto crash on the Lagos-Ibadan Expressway.
Two of Joshua’s friends, Ayodele Kevin and Ghami Sina, lost their lives in the accident.
Adeboye spoke at the church’s monthly thanksgiving service, saying Joshua’s survival was a demonstration of God’s mercy.
Many names on this list may not yet ring a bell, at the time of writing, but they will soon enough. Some of these actors, and musicians have been bubbling up for years, while others are set to make their screen debuts in some of 2026. Also on the list are established acts, who are poised to make waves and contribute to the totality of what is expected to be 2026. Across TV, theatre, music, and streaming platforms, The Nation Entertainment identifies the most promising young talent destined for great things in the New Year.
Fola
Folarin Odunlami, aka Fola, was one of the breakout stars of 2025. He injected fresh energy into the industry and earned himself several features with established music acts to create some of the biggest tunes of 2025. His album ‘Catharsis’ performed impressively enough to land inside Spotify’s top Nigerian album charts, amassing tens of millions of streams and signaling a rising trajectory.
Singles like ‘You,’ and ‘Lost’ (featuring Kizz Daniel) also became streaming staples, firmly placing the singer on both local and global radars; a rare achievement for emerging voices in a year dominated by established names.
Fola, like some others on this list actively set the nation’s new sonic agenda, alongside established heavyweights like Wizkid, Seyi Vibez, and Ayra Starr across the most-streamed artist and album categories, proving Nigerians’ unwavering loyalty to homegrown talent.
Omotola Jalade Ekeinde
Omotola Jalade Ekeinde is one of the leading faces on the Nigerian film scene, who has graced the klieglights for almost three decades. For a while between 2023 and 2024, she decided to go underground, while still working behind the scenes. Then came 2025 and she decided to unveil what she’s been working on to the world – she made her directorial debut and premiered it at the 50th edition of the Toronto International Film Festival in Canada. An elated Omotola revealed that 2026 will see more of her works behind the scenes as well as in front of the camera.
Zaylevelten
Chisom Lucky Okoro aka Zaylevelten is one of Nigeria’s most compelling emerging voices on the music scene specialising in rap and alternative Afro‑fusion. He fuses street energy, trap influence and experimental sound into something distinctly his own. Zaylevelten’s breakout came through a series of strong releases and viral moments including ‘Maye.’ Many agree that what makes Zaylevelten stand out is his work as a producer under the name Tenski as he plays a critical role in crafting sound, producing, and ensuring identity while ensuring his music reflects his vision from the ground up.
Bimbo Ademoye
Bimbo Ademoye is a recurring name on lists like entertainers, who defined 2025 and entertainers to watch out for in 2026. This is because the demure actress seems to have mastered her craft in storytelling and positioning her brand. With Ademoye not ready to stop, she’s one of the entertainers to watch out for in 2026.
Fido
2025 was a good year for Josiah Olayemi Awosika aka Fido, who joined emerging music acts that are actively setting the nation’s new sonic agenda and securing spots in the lists of top songs in the country. It is believed that the young Nigerian, who is not relatively an upcoming act, will consolidate on his 2025 achievement to make further statements musically in 2026.
Genoveva Umeh
Year on year since she broke out from the Netflix limited series, ‘Blood Sisters,’ Genoveva has continued to wax stronger in the film industry. She’s unarguably one of the rising film stars gaining significant traction with strong performances year upon year and she’s one act to watch out for in 2026.
Adesewa Rebecca Ojedele aka Sewà Ayoola is a Nigerian soul singer, who grounds her music in Afro-soul, but with the gleams of R&B, jazz and pop. Though she’s based in Toronto, Sewà is finding her path in the line of bold voices like Asa and Cavement. Her sound is a rich fusion that carries both mainstream and niche circles with a speciality in storytelling. Her debut album, ‘Detox’ announced her powerful strength and she’s one music act to watch out for in 2026.
Mike Afolarin
Mike Afolarin found, almost instant, fame with the klieglights since he broke out and he has enjoyed film casting with his name frequently mentioned for exciting projects. Afolarin has been able, through his performances, to carve a niche for himself such that he features in at least 3 out of the top 10 films in Nigeria per year. He’s one young star to watch out for in 2026.
Uzoamaka Onuoha
Uzoamaka Onuoha rose to fame with her role in the popular series, ‘Origin: Madam Koikoi.’ However, she has since proven her worth with several defining roles in projects that have projected and catapulted her career faster than she expected. From ‘Inside Life,’ to ‘Agemo,’ Onuoha has done so well that she will feature prominently in Nollywood come 2026.
Syntax, the creator
Wisdom Omotoso Adeoluwa aka Syntax, The Creator is a self taught producer, pianist and songwriter that has distinguished himself as one of those artists that makes music which takes listeners into spaces of introspection, celebration and creative expansiveness. Always wearing Ibadan as his badge, he wowed fans in the last two years with successful EPs such as ‘Room 203’ in 2024, and ‘Rvivi’ in 2025 and expresses this vividly, with collaborations and features that expanded his sound. 2026 is expected to also favour Syntax, the creator.
Martha Ehinome
Martha Ehinome is an emerging talent to watch out for in 2026. Having done so well for herself in previous years, 2025 seems to be the major unveiling for Ehinome with her performances in ‘Gone,’ ‘My Father’s Shadows,’ ‘Midnight in Shangisha,’ and ‘I am Anis.’ With Ehinome’s achievements in 2025, it’s obvious 2026 will be a bigger year for her.
Kunmie
Oluwabukunmi Ariyibi Peter aka Kunmie is a fast-rising Nigerian Afro-R&B artist who gained massive fame with his viral hit single ‘Arike.’ The song was released in early 2025, and became one of the biggest songs of the year earning him significant streams, nominations, and a historic chart position on Spotify’s global viral chart as an independent artist. Known for soulful vocals and heartfelt lyrics, he dropped his debut EP, Before We Became Strangers, following the song’s success. Kunmie is an act to watch out for in 2026.
Sandra Okunzuwa
Sandra Ese Osayamon Okunzuwa aka Sandra Okunzuwa is a trained lawyer turned actress and movie producer. Okunzuwa has been on a steady rise on the Nigerian film scene snatching different challenging roles per film. Well noted for her rising presence, Okunzuwa is billed to shine an extra mile in 2026.
