Showbiz Stories, Personalities That Defined 2025

The entertainment and social scene in Nigeria in 2025 recorded major events, including personalities, music performances, record-breaking film successes, high-profile award shows, and celebrity controversies. Ferdinand Ekechukwu captures some of the highlights and moments that dominated headlines, across movie, music, weddings, awards, and controversies

Omoni Oboli’s YouTube Blockbuster

Omoni Oboli’s visibility, influence within Nollywood soared following her YouTube blockbuster. The standout hit ‘Love in Every Word’, and its sequel, ‘Love in Every Word: The Wedding’ became viral sensations, with the original alone surpassing 30 million views, becoming the most searched Nollywood movie of the year on Google. Its lead cast Uzor Arukwe and Bamike “Bambam” earned widespread acclaim for their role ‘Odogwu’ and Achalugo that exploded online.

Ini Edo: Not Really ‘A Very Dirty Christmas’

By all elements, Ini Edo’s latest feature, ‘A Very Dirty Christmas’, which has raised concerns from the Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN), ticks all the boxes, making it a must-watch. The almost two-hour comedy-drama, directed by Akay Mason, barely days in cinemas nationwide, attracted backlash from the Christian body as it described the title as offensive and disrespectful.

A compelling story, with relatable characters, suspense, added to strong acting, visuals and sounds, offers an immersive experience where the audience connects emotionally.  The film featured an ensemble cast including Eucharia Anunobi, Elvina Ibru, Femi Branch, IK Ogbonna, Lateef Adedimeji, Nancy Isime, Taye Arimoro, Josephina Otabor, Wumi Toriola, Ini Edo herself, and Waje, and a host of other fantastic cast.

It centres on a family festive reunion that spirals into emotional conflict as long-buried secrets and past traumas resurface, transforming what should have been a joyful gathering into a tensed, dramatic experience. Understandably, in this clime religious faith runs deep in everyday life and entertainment often walks a tightrope between creativity and cultural norms.

Beyond just the title, the association should consider seeing the film which really poses nothing dirty to the work of art or the essence of the very season being celebrated. CAN had called on the producers of the film to reconsider the title, issue a public apology, and take steps to ensure that religious symbols and sacred seasons are treated with the respect they deserve.

“Christmas is a sacred season that marks the birth of Jesus Christ and represents purity, peace, love, and redemption. Linking such a holy celebration with the word ‘dirty’ diminishes its spiritual meaning and reduces a solemn religious observance to something crude and sensational,” CAN argued in a statement.  The filmmaker apologized to anyone offended by the title, insisting there was no malicious intent.

“I’m so sorry. We will try to change the title,” Ini Edo promised. The regulator, National Film and Video Censors Board (NFVCB), clarified that the film was approved and classified after undergoing the established censorship and classification process, during which the Film Censorship Committee examined the work within its narrative and thematic context.

Funke Akindele: Everybody Loves ‘Jenifa’

Funke Akindele’s box office dominance with ‘Everybody Loves Jenifa’ solidified its place as Nollywood’s highest-grossing film ever, crossing over N1.8 billion in Nigeria, continuing its run from late 2024, after its massive cinema success. This year, she consolidated her dominance with the movie, ‘Behind the Scenes’, released in December 2025 already a massive opener with over N200m in its first weekend, making it the biggest opening of 2025 in Nollywood.

Akinola Davies Jr.’s Father’s Shadow

Akinola Davies’s directorial debut feature ‘My Father’s Shadow’ made even more history at the 78th Cannes Film Festival after it received a Special Mention for the Caméra d’Or prize. The award also marked a historic milestone as the first Nigerian film to premiere at the annual festival. Although “My Father’s Shadow” missed the top prize, its selection in the esteemed Un Certain Regard section underscores a symbolic moment for Nollywood’s global journey.

Mo Abudu: Complete Lifestyle Ecosystem

Mo Abudu, CEO of EbonyLife Group, was named one of TIME magazine’s 100 Most Influential People of 2025. The media mogul also officially launched her new digital streaming platform EbonyLife On Plus early November 2025, aiming to be a global hub. The Pan-African digital platform which blends entertainment, learning, fashion, and lives experiences she calls “a complete lifestyle ecosystem”.

AMVCA 2025 Below Expectation

Over the years, the AMVCA has become the most recognisable award ceremony for film and television in Nigeria and beyond. The 11th edition was held on May 10th, 2025, in Lagos. However, despite the overall polish, there were cracks above the surface. Like the stage management was not at its best, technical issues like obvious teleprompter glitches and poor crowd control marred the celebration.

Regina Daniels and Ned Nwoko’s Messy Marriage Crisis

Nollywood actress, Regina Daniels, 25, and Nigerian Senator and businessman Ned Nwoko, 64, are currently enmeshed in a contentious marital separation and custody battle. Their relationship, which began in 2019 despite a significant age gap, has recently escalated into a public conflict involving serious allegations from both sides after a video of the 25-year old actress went viral in October 2025.

2Baba, Annie, and the New Bride

Marked by significant controversy, 2Baba shook the internet when he announced his separation from Annie Macaulay on Instagram, confirming they’d already filed for divorce, especially after years of ups and downs in their relationship. The legendary singer faced backlash, induced by his tumultuous affair with his new wife Natasha Osawaru which followed their private traditional wedding. On the positive side, the couple welcomed their bundle of joy. 2Baba embarked on tour, celebrated his 50th birthday, and also celebrated 25years on stage.

Burna Boy, the Backlashes and ‘Lamborghini’

With performances, appearances, including the 2025 Met Gala, hosting his first-ever after-party at the annual charity event in New York, Burna Boy maintained his heavyweight status. His album ‘No Sign of Weakness’ surpassed 250 million streams on Spotify, making it one of the year’s top-performing Nigerian releases. Burna Boy entangled in a ‘sex for Lamborghini’ controversy with a groupie, Sophia Egbueje. Backlashes facing his actions for ejecting a sleeping fan during a Colorado concert yet to wane.

Davido with #Chivido2025 and 5IVE

Davido dropped his much-anticipated fifth studio album, 5IVE. This album, aided by one of the songs ‘With You’ (featuring Omah Lay) quickly topped Nigerian streaming platforms, permeated playlists and drove major online conversation. He headlined the 60,000-capacity Tottenham Hotspur Stadium in London. Davido and Chioma Miami’s wedding in 2025, #Chivido2025 was a culmination of a wedding journey described as one of the most expensive Nigerian celebrity weddings.

Wizkid Extends Dominance

His album ‘Morayo’ was named the most-streamed album of the year in Nigeria, reinforcing his legacy as a chart-topping force. Wizkid’s dominance extended beyond local borders, his much-anticipated documentary, “Wizkid: Long Live Lagos” tracing his rise from Lagos streets to worldwide acclaim premiered by American premium television network and service, Home Box Office (HBO) to global delight.

Mr Eazi and Temi’s Wedding

The high-profile Nigerian couple Teni and Mr Eazi rolled out a three-part wedding across three different countries on significant dates and location in Monaco in May, a traditional Yoruba wedding in Dubai in July, and a cinematic white wedding in Iceland in August. It was a fashion statement, a cultural showcase, and a reminder that sometimes, the quietest moments make the loudest impact.

Tems: A Grammy

Tems achieved historic feats with multiple Grammy nominations for her debut album ‘Born in the Wild’, continued to extend her global footprint in 2025 and performed at the FIFA Club World Cup opening ceremony. In February, she was globally celebrated for winning the Grammy Award for Best Music Performance with her song, ‘Love Me Jeje’. She remained one of the most-streamed female artistes in Nigeria and a consistent presence in global playlists.

Cubana Chief Priest and His Alleged Baby Mama

A paternity saga between the singer and socialite and his alleged Kenyan baby mama, Hellen Ati persisted. The lady has become a regular feature in 2025, and continues to call out Chiefpriest, real name Pascal Okechukwu, online, demanding and insisting that a DNA test be conducted. The issue escalated in January following a spat between the latter and Afrobeats star, Burna Boy, who somehow weighed in and offered to support her, even proposing to bring her to Nigeria.

Eedris Abdulkareem ‘Tell Your Papa’

In April and November 2025, Nigerian rapper Eedris Abdukareem was involved in two separate controversies related to the release and subsequent banning of his politically charged songs, “Tell Your Papa” a diss track which criticizes the country’s leader and the other titled “Open Letter to Donald Trump”. Known for his socially conscious music, has long use music to speak against governance, corruption and social justice.

Mercy Chinwo, Her Ex-Manager and Record Label Owner

In January, gospel singer Mercy Chinwo went public with serious allegations against her former label boss, EeZee Tee, accusing him of withholding royalties and creating a toxic work environment. Her emotional video sparked intense conversations about contracts, artist-manager relationship in the music industry.

Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie

Renowned writer Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie revealed in February that she welcomed twins via surrogacy. This was one major moment of the year, being how rare it is for the global literary icon to share personal details.   Weeks later, the 48-year-old released Dream Count, her first work of fiction in over a decade. She also recorded a historic hat-trick of honours, with three prestigious literary awards in European, including the first-ever German Felix Jud Prize for Defiant Thinking.

Hilda Baci’s Jollof and Gino

Already a household name from a previous event, celebrity chef Hilda Baci’s record-breaking attempt in September 2025 where with Gino cooked the world’s largest pot of Nigerian Jollof rice in a massive, custom-built 6m wide pot, weighing 8,780kg and earning her a Guinness World Record trended across platforms, becoming one of the most discussed Nigerian topics of the year.

Kayode Peter’s Passing

The renowned Nigerian filmmaker, director, and actor sadly passed away in Toronto, Canada, on the morning of Saturday, June 28, 2025, at the age of 49 after a prolonged illness. A comedic trailblazer, Peters passing drew torrents of heartfelt tributes from friends and professional colleagues in the continent’s film and television industry.

Justice for Mohbad

Two years after his death, the quest for justice in Mohbad’s case took a dramatic turn in 2025 with questions around his son’s paternity adding a twist to the unfolding saga, long after an autopsy has been conducted. Mohbad’s father, Joseph Aloba, insists his son will only be reburied after a court-ordered DNA test for his grandson Liam is completed.