The faith-based Nollywood film Agbara Nla: The Return is reportedly breaking records abroad as it prepares to open in cinemas across the United States.

The figures

According to the film's distributor, the movie has earned about $173,650 across the UK, Ireland and Canada, including about £86,700 from the UK and Ireland and about CAD$82,200 from Canada. The distributor claims it recorded the biggest opening weekend ever for a Nollywood film in the UK, as well as record pre-sales. These figures come from the distributor and have not been independently verified. In Nigeria, the film has grossed about ₦408 million, making it the second-highest-grossing Nollywood film of 2026, and has held the number one spot for four weekends in a row.

US release

The film opens in American cinemas on Friday, 30 October 2026, with tickets available through major cinema chains, the distributor announced on Instagram this week.

Background

Agbara Nla: The Return is a modern retelling of the 1993 classic Agbara Nla by Mount Zion Faith Ministries founder Mike Bamiloye, who reprises his role as the herbalist Isawuru. The original film is one of the best-known Christian movies in Nigeria and was watched by millions on video. The new version has drawn church groups and families to cinemas in large numbers.

Why it matters

The film's success abroad shows the growing audience for Nigerian faith-based stories among the diaspora, and could encourage more Nollywood releases in foreign cinemas.

Veteran Yoruba Nollywood actress Habibat Jinadu has spoken openly about why she lightened her skin, saying years of remarks about her complexion on film sets wore her down.

What she said

In an interview with a BBC Yoruba programme, reported on Thursday, 29 October 2026, Jinadu reportedly said that directors repeatedly complained that she was too dark under the lights on set. She said she did not take the comments to heart at first, until someone compared her to a monkey. She said fair-skinned actors were often preferred for roles when she was building her career, and that people who were not light-skinned were rarely called for jobs. The constant criticism, she said, eventually led her to bleach her skin.

Background

Jinadu has appeared in many Yoruba-language films over the years and is a familiar face to fans of the genre. Skin bleaching is a long-running issue in Nigeria and across Africa, and health experts have repeatedly warned about the dangers of some lightening creams. Other entertainers have spoken in the past about pressure to look a certain way on screen.

How people reacted

Her comments started a wide conversation online. Many users said colourism remains a real problem in the entertainment industry, while others said no one should be made to feel ashamed of their natural skin. Some praised her for speaking honestly about a painful experience.

Gambian actress Princess Shyngle, known to Nigerian audiences from Nollywood films, has raised the alarm over what she says is a case of identity theft.

What happened

In a video shared online and reported on Thursday, 29 October 2026, the actress said she had found out that someone went to a Lagos venue on Tuesday night and used an American Express card with her name on it. She said she had never imagined she could be a victim of identity theft.

What she said she will do

Speaking angrily in the video, Shyngle said she would obtain the venue's CCTV footage to identify the person and expose them publicly, warning that she was coming for whoever was responsible. She said she had already reported the matter to the police. The venue has not commented publicly, and no arrest has been announced.

Background

Shyngle has appeared in several Nollywood productions and has a large social media following. Identity theft and card fraud are growing concerns in Nigeria as more payments move online, and banks regularly warn customers to protect their card details and report suspicious transactions quickly.

How people reacted

Fans sympathised with the actress and urged her to work with her bank and the police, while some shared their own experiences of card fraud.

Nollywood actress Doris Ogala, who is the African Action Congress (AAC) candidate for governor of Abia State in 2027, has been remanded in a correctional centre in Lagos after appearing in court on Wednesday, 28 October 2026. Her application for bail is listed for hearing on Friday, 30 October.

What happened

Ogala was arraigned before a Federal High Court in Lagos on three counts linked to a complaint by the cleric Pastor Chris Okafor. The charges relate to the alleged publication of photographs, the alleged spreading of false electronic messages and alleged threats against the pastor. She has not been convicted of anything, and the allegations are yet to be tested at trial.

News of the remand first spread on Wednesday afternoon, when comedian Deeone shared it online. Reports differ on which Lagos facility she was taken to. Before she was led away, Ogala posted a short video from the courtroom in which she described the case as a political move aimed at stopping her governorship bid. Clips of the moment she was taken out of court were shared widely on Thursday.

Background

The dispute between Ogala and Okafor has played out on social media for months. It reportedly began after the pastor announced plans to marry another woman, which led Ogala to criticise him publicly. She has since spoken several times about their past relationship. In another video from court, she was also heard telling the judge that her former partner was using the law against her.

How people reacted

Human rights activist and politician Omoyele Sowore condemned the remand in a Facebook post, calling it an abuse of power. He accused the police of repeatedly using the Cybercrimes Act to shield powerful people, argued that what he called a private quarrel should not have become a criminal case, and urged the courts to stay impartial. He also said her rights as a candidate must be protected. Online, fans were divided, with some backing the actress and others saying she should answer the charges in court.

What happens next

All eyes are now on Friday's bail hearing in Lagos. Her party has not yet said how the case will affect her campaign in Abia.