Toyin Abraham Makes History as First Debut Director to Gross Over N1 Billion at Nigerian Box Office

Actress and filmmaker Toyin Abraham was honoured on Thursday by the National Film and Video Censors Board (NFVCB) with the prestigious Box Office Champion Award, following the remarkable success of her debut-directed film, Over Sabi Auntie, which surpassed the N1 billion mark at Nigerian cinemas.

The milestone marks Abraham as the first debut director in Nollywood history to achieve such a box office feat. The Executive Director of NFVCB, Shuaib Husseini, described the achievement as historic for the industry, noting that it reflects both personal excellence and the growing strength of Nigerian cinema.

“It is my honour to welcome you as we celebrate excellence and remarkable achievements within Nigeria’s film industry,” Husseini said, adding that the board remains committed to supporting a thriving film culture that contributes to the national economy. “You have entertained millions and encouraged others to dream bigger.”

The President of the Actors Guild of Nigeria, Sanusi Yakubu, represented by Don Pedro, also praised Abraham for her influence on Nollywood. He described her as a creative force shaping the industry’s economic trajectory and highlighted how Over Sabi Auntie signals that Nigerian stories are increasingly commanding global attention.


In her remarks, Abraham thanked her husband for his support and extended her gratitude to NFVCB for the recognition. She revealed that she decided to direct the film herself after becoming frustrated with following others’ instructions. “I told my manager that I wanted to direct this movie by myself, alone. I went to my industry godmother, Mrs Bolanle Austin-Peters, and I told her that I wanted to shoot a movie,” she said.

Abraham also acknowledged her team and expressed excitement at seeing one of her long-held dreams come to fruition.

The award ceremony was attended by key stakeholders in the film industry, including Olori Temitope Ogunwusi, reflecting the event’s prominence within Nigeria’s cultural landscape.