The nominees for the 2026 Best of Nollywood (BON) Awards have been announced, with romantic film 'Love and New Notes' leading the pack.

The leading films

According to the list released on Sunday, 1 November 2026, 'Love and New Notes' received nine nominations, followed by 'The Herd' with eight. 'The Creek', 'Aba Blues', 'Colours of Fire' and 'Efunroye: The Unicorn' each received seven, while '3 Cold Dishes' got six. 'Behind the Scenes' and 'Agesinkole (King of Thieves) 2' received five each.

Acting categories

Best Actor nominees include Bucci Franklin for 'The Creek', Kanayo O. Kanayo for 'Grandpa Must Obey', Jide Kene Achufusi for 'Aba Blues', Timini Egbuson for 'Love and New Notes', Uzor Arukwe for 'Colours of Fire' and Wale Ojo for '3 Cold Dishes'. The Best Actress category features Scarlet Gomez, Osas Ighodaro, Mercy Aigbe, Sharon Ooja and Nse Ikpe-Etim. Supporting actress nominees include Eniola Badmus, Destiny Etiko, Nancy Isime and Bisola Aiyeola.

The ceremony

The 18th edition of the awards will be held in Enugu State. The exact date has not been announced.

Background

The Best of Nollywood Awards, founded by the publishers of Best of Nollywood magazine, are among the longest-running Nigerian film awards and move to a different state each year. Uzor Arukwe's nomination comes in a week when he spoke openly about being sacked from a telecoms job before his acting career and about being typecast in similar roles.

How fans reacted

Fans shared their favourites online, with many backing Timini Egbuson and Uzor Arukwe in a strong Best Actor category.

Pastor Jimmy Odukoya, senior pastor of Fountain of Life Church in Ilupeju, Lagos, has remarried and presented his new wife to his church.

What happened

During Sunday service on 1 November 2026, Odukoya introduced his wife, who will be known as Pastor Mo Odukoya, to the congregation. Days earlier, he had sparked engagement rumours by sharing a photo of two hands wearing rings, captioned as a new beginning. According to Pastor Tunde Bakare, General Overseer of The Citadel Global Community Church, the wedding took place in the United States and he blessed the marriage. Bakare said the bride is the daughter of Reverend Theophilus and Bolaji Daniel.

What the pastor said

Odukoya reportedly told the congregation that he had remained single since taking over the leadership of the church and felt called to remarry, referring to the biblical teaching that it is not good for a man to be alone.

Background

Jimmy Odukoya, an actor and pastor, took over as senior pastor of Fountain of Life Church after the death of his father, Pastor Taiwo Odukoya, in 2023. He played the lead role in the 2023 film 'Orisa'. He was previously married to Kemi Odukoya, with whom he has children.

How people reacted

Many church members and fans congratulated the couple and shared videos from the service. Others used the moment to debate remarriage and divorce in the church, with some asking questions about his previous marriage. Odukoya has not publicly commented on those questions.

Nollywood's top-grossing filmmaker Funke Akindele has revealed which of her films cost the most to make.

What she said

In an interview with CNN journalist Larry Madowo, reported on Saturday, 31 October 2026, Funke Akindele reportedly named 'Everybody Loves Jenifa' as the most expensive film she has produced. She said the costs came from flying the entire cast and crew to Ghana, filming some scenes at a high-end resort, and building sets back in Nigeria. She explained that she prefers to build her own sets rather than shoot in other people's homes. She did not give a figure for the budget.

Box office success

Akindele said the film performed well both in cinemas and on streaming platforms. 'Everybody Loves Jenifa', released in December 2024, became one of the highest-grossing Nollywood films of all time, continuing her run of record-breaking releases that includes 'Battle on Buka Street' and 'A Tribe Called Judah'.

Background

Akindele is best known for the Jenifa character, which began in 2008 and grew into a television series and several films. She is currently promoting her next film, 'The Four', for which she recently announced a partnership with Facebook. Fellow actress Toyin Abraham this week shared an old TikTok collaboration, which fans read as a response to Funke's announcement.

How fans reacted

Fans praised her ambition and investment in quality productions, saying her success has raised the standard for Nollywood films.

Veteran Nollywood actress Joke Silva has issued a heartfelt message of thanks as her family marks the end of the 40-day mourning period for her late husband, Olu Jacobs.

What she wrote

In an Instagram post on Saturday, 31 October 2026, accompanied by a photo of herself and her husband, Joke Silva wrote on behalf of the Jacobs family to thank everyone who had supported them. She thanked those who sent prayers, messages and calls, those who visited in person, and those who gave gifts or contributed towards the funeral. She said the 40 days had come and gone, and that the family was humbled and deeply grateful. She signed the message as Ajoke Silva, on behalf of the Jacobs family.

Who was Olu Jacobs

Olu Jacobs was one of the most respected actors in Nigerian film history, with a career spanning stage, television and cinema in Nigeria and the United Kingdom. He appeared in many Nollywood classics and international productions and was widely regarded as a father figure in the industry. He and Joke Silva, herself an acclaimed actress and co-founder of the Lufodo Academy of Performing Arts, were one of Nollywood's most admired couples.

How fans reacted

Fans and colleagues responded with messages of love and prayers for the family, praising Joke Silva for her strength and dignity during the period of mourning.