Naija & Western gistNews · Celebs · Trends

Trend Naija

Home › Nollywood & celebs

Nollywood & celebs
Reported

Funke Akindele's 'The Four' sells out London premiere at Odeon Leicester Square

Funke Akindele at the AMVCA 2020
Photo: Kaizenify / Wikimedia Commons, CC BY-SA 4.0

Funke Akindele's new film, 'The Four', has sold out its London premiere ahead of its release in Nigerian cinemas.

The premiere

The film's distributor, FilmOne Entertainment, announced on Thursday, 5 November 2026, that tickets for the premiere at the Odeon Luxe Leicester Square, one of London's most famous cinemas, were no longer available. The premiere is scheduled for 29 November. Akindele had earlier described the event as a historic moment for Nigerian cinema.

Background

Akindele is Nollywood's most commercially successful filmmaker, with several of her films topping the Nigerian box office, including 'Battle on Buka Street', 'A Tribe Called Judah' and 'Everybody Loves Jenifa'. 'A Tribe Called Judah' became the first Nollywood film to earn more than ₦1 billion at the box office. 'The Four' features several well-known actors, including Wumi Toriola, and is expected in Nigerian cinemas in December, traditionally the busiest period for local releases.

Why it matters

A sold-out premiere at a major London venue shows the growing international audience for Nollywood films, particularly among the Nigerian diaspora in the UK.

How fans reacted

Fans congratulated the actress and said they could not wait for the film's release in Nigeria.

More gist

Nollywood & celebsReported
A film clapperboard on set
Stock image: Mattbr / Wikimedia Commons, CC BY 2.0

Toyin Abraham issues cease-and-desist notice to bloggers over 'false' posts

Actress Toyin Abraham's lawyer has issued a cease-and-desist notice warning bloggers, influencers and social media users to stop circulating claims she says are false and damaging, and to remove existing posts or face legal action.

Read more

Nollywood actress and filmmaker Toyin Abraham has warned bloggers and social media users that she will take legal action over publications she considers false and damaging.

The notice

On Thursday, 5 November 2026, the actress shared on X a cease-and-desist notice issued by her lawyer, Tope Salami, according to reports. The notice, addressed to the general public and particularly bloggers, content creators and influencers, demanded that people stop circulating unverified claims about her and remove existing posts. It warned that digital materials could be used as evidence in possible court proceedings. The notice did not specify which posts or claims it was referring to.

Background

Toyin Abraham has been the subject of much online discussion in recent weeks, including over a reported rift with fellow actress Funke Akindele after an old TikTok collaboration resurfaced. This week she also asked fans to call her by her former name, Toyin Aimakhu, as she promotes her new film 'Bestie', which is due in cinemas in December. Several celebrities, including Senator Ned Nwoko on behalf of Regina Daniels, have recently threatened legal action against people spreading false stories online.

How people reacted

Some fans backed her decision, saying celebrities deserve protection from lies, while others said public figures should expect criticism.

Nollywood & celebsReported
A film clapperboard on set
Stock image: Mattbr / Wikimedia Commons, CC BY 2.0

Apostle Suleman says he tested Nathaniel Bassey with money, and was impressed

Apostle Johnson Suleman has reportedly told his church that he once offered gospel singer Nathaniel Bassey money to test his character before a convention, and that Bassey's response taught him a lesson about humility and spiritual covering.

Read more

Apostle Johnson Suleman, founder of Omega Fire Ministries, has shared a story about gospel singer Nathaniel Bassey that has drawn wide attention.

What he said

Speaking during a Sunday service, in comments shared this week, Suleman reportedly said he first met Bassey on a plane ahead of his church's convention. According to him, Bassey said he wanted to attend the convention not as a paid performer but to support his spiritual father, whom Suleman named as Pastor Deboye. Curious about his reasons, Suleman said he deliberately offered the singer money to see how he would respond, as a way of studying his character and values.

The response

Suleman said Bassey's response left him with a powerful lesson about mentorship and respect for spiritual leaders, though reports did not detail exactly what the singer said.

Background

Nathaniel Bassey is one of Africa's most popular gospel ministers and recently became the first African gospel artist to reach 1 billion views on YouTube. He is known for his worship sessions and the annual Hallelujah Challenge. Suleman is a prominent and sometimes controversial Pentecostal preacher based in Auchi, Edo State.

How people reacted

Many Christians praised Bassey's humility, while others debated whether it was right to test someone with money.

Nollywood & celebsReported
A film clapperboard on set
Stock image: Mattbr / Wikimedia Commons, CC BY 2.0

Ekene Umenwa kneels in joy as husband gifts her a Lexus on third anniversary

Actress Ekene Umenwa was overwhelmed when her husband, Kleanson, surprised her with a new Lexus SUV at their Asaba home to mark their third wedding anniversary. She thanked him in an emotional message.

Read more

Nollywood actress Ekene Umenwa received a big surprise from her husband to mark their third wedding anniversary.

What happened

In a video shared online on Thursday, 5 November 2026, her husband, Kleanson, presented her with a ribbon-wrapped black Lexus SUV, along with gift boxes and paperwork, at their home in Asaba, Delta State. The actress dropped to her knees in gratitude as she took in the surprise.

Her message

In a post celebrating the anniversary, Ekene thanked her husband for loving her and spoke about love, grace and the choice to keep choosing each other every day.

Background

Ekene Umenwa is a popular Nollywood actress and producer who has appeared in many films. She married Kleanson in 2023 and often shares moments from their marriage with fans online.

How people reacted

Fans and colleagues flooded her post with congratulations and prayers for the couple. Some social media users debated whether such public displays of gifts put pressure on other couples, while many simply celebrated with her.

Nollywood & celebs
VeryDarkMan
Photo: CoreTechLogic / Wikimedia Commons, CC0

VDM says his friendship with Davido began and ended over the fight for Mohbad

VeryDarkMan says the campaign for justice for the late singer Mohbad brought him and Davido together, and later drove them apart. He said Davido followed him in early 2024 and they became friends before things changed.

Read more

Social media activist VeryDarkMan (VDM) has given his account of how his friendship with Davido broke down.

What he said

In a video released on Thursday, 5 November 2026, VDM said the same issue that brought them together eventually tore them apart: the campaign for justice for the late singer Mohbad. He recalled that he became heavily involved in demanding answers after Mohbad's death in September 2023, when questions about the circumstances of the death and the singer's earlier complaints about his former record label drew huge public attention. VDM said Davido followed him on social media in early 2024, which excited him, and that they became friends, with VDM supporting and promoting some of the singer's music. He said their relationship later changed, with the Mohbad matter at the heart of the fallout.

The current feud

The explanation comes amid an escalating public feud. This week VDM dared Davido's camp to show proof that the singer ever helped him financially, warned Zlatan Ibile after Davido was filmed singing along to Zlatan's song 'Inferno', and released a preview of his own diss track aimed at Davido. Several celebrities, including Oyemykke and Roskey, have weighed in.

Background

Mohbad, whose real name was Ilerioluwa Aloba, died in Lagos in September 2023 at the age of 27. His death led to protests and a police investigation, and a coroner's inquest was held into the circumstances.

How people reacted

Fans were divided, with some saying VDM's account explained the bitterness, and others urging both men to end the public quarrel.