Lagos leads as Nigeria’s cinema revenue climbs to N14.52bn

NIGERIA’S box office expanded significantly between 2024 and 2025, with total cinema revenue rising from N10.74 billion to N14.52 billion, according to figures released by FilmOne Entertainment. Although growth was recorded nationwide, Lagos retained its commanding lead in the market. Over the 2-year stretch, the state generated N13.70 billion, accounting for more than half of all cinema earnings across the country.

In 2025 alone, Lagos increased its revenue to N7.94 billion, up from N5.76 billion in 2024. The state, which hosts 41 cinema locations -the largest concentration in Nigeria – recorded more than 1.28 million ticket admissions, reinforcing its dominance as the country’s entertainment capital.

Interestingly, while Lagos contributed over 50 percent of total box office revenue, it represented only about 45 percent of tickets sold nationwide. The disparity reflects higher ticket prices in the city. With premium offerings such as IMAX screens and a relatively affluent customer base, Lagos cinemas command higher average prices, allowing them to generate substantially more income per location than cinemas elsewhere in the country.

Other notable states

Despite Lagos’ continued supremacy, 2025 proved to be a landmark year for other markets as more states crossed the N1 billion revenue threshold for the first time.

The Federal Capital Territory (FCT) delivered a strong performance, generating N1.14 billion from just five cinema sites, an increase from N852 million recorded in 2024. Rivers State followed closely, pulling in N1.03 billion across 8 locations, compared to N801 million the previous year.

READ ALSO: Lagos needs 7,000 new buses to fix its transport crisis

Data from FilmOne’s yearbook shows that both Abuja and Rivers posted revenue shares closely aligned with their share of total admissions, indicating balanced pricing structures and steady demand outside Lagos. Their performance signals a strengthening cinema culture in key urban centres beyond the commercial hub.

Surprising breakouts in emerging markets

Beyond the top 3 markets, year-on-year comparisons reveal striking growth stories in less-expected territories.

Kaduna State emerged as the standout performer, with revenue surging from N26.3 million in 2024 to N81.7 million in 2025, representing an increase of more than 210 percent. Cross River State also recorded impressive gains, nearly doubling its earnings from N43.6 million to N79.5 million within a year.

Other states demonstrated strong efficiency despite limited infrastructure. Osun State generated N331 million, while Kwara State delivered N183 million, operating only 2 to 3 cinema sites each. Their performance underscores how strategic location and audience engagement can outweigh sheer screen numbers.

In contrast, Ogun State, which has 12 cinemas, the second-highest count after Lagos, contributed just 3.09 percent of national revenue. The figures highlight that expanding the number of screens alone does not guarantee higher returns. Market density, consumer spending power, and programming choices remain decisive factors.

Market concentration and untapped opportunities

Revenue distribution remains heavily concentrated. The top 10 states, including Lagos, Abuja, Rivers, Edo State (N975 million) and Oyo State (N869 million), accounted for 88.5 percent of total box office revenue in 2025. The remaining 11.5 percent was shared among other states, many of which rely on lower ticket prices and smaller, single-site cinemas.

Kano State got N7.9 million, while Nasarawa State made N1.8 million, but it reflects the limited scale of cinema infrastructure in several parts of the country.

READ ALSO: Lagos State debt under Sanwo-Olu rises 117% as revenue leakages persist

Despite the industry’s growing revenues, significant gaps remain. Of Nigeria’s 36 states, 15 still lack a modern cinema facility. Notably, Akwa Ibom State is the only state in the South-South without a cinema presence, while the entire North-East region remains without a single modern cinema location.

Overall, the 2-year data paints a picture of a sector that is maturing and prioritising profitability. Premium pricing continues to drive revenues, particularly in Lagos. However, the rapid expansion seen in Kaduna, alongside the billion-naira performances of Abuja and Rivers, suggests that Nigeria’s cinema industry is gradually extending its reach beyond its traditional strongholds, unlocking fresh opportunities across the federation.