Entertainment News Today, 11 November 2026: The Four Sells Out London, Loving Itohan Tops Box Office, Patoranking and Olamide
Last updated: 11 November 2026 · By Naijatipsland Editorial Team · Editorial policy
Morning roundup · Wednesday, 11 November 2026 · By Ade Adeniyi, Founder and Editor
London has sold out for Funke Akindele, a romance has narrowly knocked a faith film off the box office top spot, and Olamide is warming up for a new album with a Lagos anthem alongside Patoranking. Here are the entertainment stories that matter this morning.
Today at a glance
- Funke Akindele’s UK premiere of The Four sells out in two days; she sets a ₦5 billion box office target.
- Loving Itohan wins the weekend by just ₦183,499, while Agbára Nlá: The Return enters Nollywood’s all-time top 10.
- Patoranking and Olamide release Welcome To Lagos, days before Olamide’s 13th album.
- New albums from Skepta, Phyno and Tobe Nwigwe; Wande Coal drops Kowope on Thursday.
- Bimbo Ademoye’s YouTube copyright row: the uploader apologises, she says she will still act.
- Lagos confirmed as host of the CAF Awards on 2 December.
1. The Four’s London premiere sells out as Funke Akindele aims for ₦5 billion
What happened
Funke Akindele says the 29 November UK premiere of The Four: No One Fights Alone at the 791-seat ODEON Luxe in Leicester Square sold out two days after tickets went on sale. The film opens in UK and Ireland cinemas on 4 December, with an advance screening on 2 December, before its wider release on 11 December. Speaking at the Creative Africa Nexus Weekend (CANEX) in Lagos, she described a partnership with Meta for digital distribution and said her next goal is a ₦5 billion box office haul.
Why it matters
Akindele already holds Nollywood’s highest-grossing film, Behind The Scenes. A sold-out West End premiere shows that diaspora audiences in the UK will pay for Nigerian cinema, which could push more producers to release abroad at the same time as at home.
Source: Channels TV; The Nigerian Voice via Modern Ghana.
2. Box office: Loving Itohan edges Agbára Nlá by a whisker
What happened
Nancy Isime’s Loving Itohan opened at number one in Nigerian cinemas over the 6 to 8 November weekend with ₦24.2 million from about 3,600 admissions across 80 locations, growing every day of the weekend. That ended Agbára Nlá: The Return’s five-weekend run at the top by just ₦183,499. The Mount Zion faith film still sold more tickets than anything else, took ₦24 million, and now stands at ₦486.4 million after six weeks, enough for tenth place on Nollywood’s all-time list and second among 2026 releases behind Call of My Life. Industry tracker data also suggests 2026 cinema takings are running about 30% ahead of last year. Separately, the Igbo-language film Ikenga: The Last Festival has passed ₦120 million and will be shown at a cultural event in the UK on 20 November.
Why it matters
A growing domestic box office means more cinema releases and more jobs. If you would rather watch at home, our guide to the best Nigerian movies and series to stream is updated regularly.
Source: QED.ng; Film Intelligence Digest; The Sun.
3. Patoranking and Olamide reunite on Welcome To Lagos
What happened
Patoranking released Welcome To Lagos featuring Olamide at midnight on Tuesday, 10 November, through Amari Musiq. Produced by his regular collaborator Ctea, it is the fourth single from his upcoming fifth album, after No Jonze, African Soldier with Buju Banton and Shake That with Ruger. The release lands days before Olamide’s 13th studio album, Time & Space, due on 16 November, and after his announcement of a first headline show at London’s O2 Arena on 25 March 2027.
Why it matters
Two long-serving stars on one record is a strong end-of-year play, and Olamide’s O2 date adds him to the short list of Nigerian acts filling London’s biggest indoor venue.
Source: AllAfrica; MyJoyOnline.
4. New albums this week: Skepta, Phyno, Tobe Nwigwe
What happened
Several albums with Nigerian roots arrived this week. British-Nigerian rapper Skepta released his 15-track sixth album, The Fork & Knife, which includes Aloe Vera with Asake. Phyno dropped Let That Sink In, photographer and singer Ty Bello released I Speak Lion / I Speak Lamb, and Houston-raised Tobe Nwigwe teamed up with his wife Fat Nwigwe on The Bridge, which mixes Texas trap with Igbo percussion. Wande Coal has also set Thursday, 12 November, for his new single, Kowope.
Why it matters
These projects show the range of Nigerian music at home and in the diaspora, from indigenous rap to gospel and UK grime, and they arrive just as Grammy nominations are announced next week.
Source: BellaNaija; JB Republic.
5. Bimbo Ademoye’s YouTube copyright dispute
What happened
Actress and filmmaker Bimbo Ademoye offered ₦1 million for help identifying the person behind a copyright claim that demonetised her YouTube film My 30th Wedding, released on 1 October. She says the song involved was made for her by the musician Progress and that she owns it. A man identified as Mazi Enemuo later apologised on Instagram, saying he uploaded the track to streaming platforms to promote it and has removed it, and that the claim should clear within 48 hours. Ademoye rejected the explanation and says she will still pursue the matter. New Telegraph notes it is at least her third soundtrack dispute since 2025.
Why it matters
Many Nollywood producers now release straight to YouTube, where automated Content ID claims can divert earnings from a film overnight. Registering music rights before release is becoming as important as booking a cinema.
Source: PM News (NAN); Legit.ng; New Telegraph.
6. Lagos to host the CAF Awards on 2 December
What happened
The Confederation of African Football confirmed that its 2026 awards night will be held in Lagos on Wednesday, 2 December. Fan and panel voting for the men’s and women’s categories runs from 5 to 20 November.
Why it matters
The ceremony is one of the continent’s biggest televised entertainment nights, and hosting it brings visitors, performers and business to Lagos at the start of the festive season.
What to watch next
- 12 November: Wande Coal’s Kowope.
- 16 November: Olamide’s album Time & Space; Grammy nominations follow this coming Monday. See our Nigerian Grammy nominees guide.
- 20 November: Mr P’s OG Forever; Ikenga screens in the UK.
- 29 November to 11 December: The Four premieres in London, then opens in the UK (4 December) and Nigeria (11 December).
Frequently asked questions
When does Funke Akindele’s The Four open in UK cinemas?
Thursday 4 December, after an advance screening on 2 December and the London premiere on 29 November.
Which Nigerian film topped the box office last weekend?
Loving Itohan, with ₦24.2 million, just ahead of Agbára Nlá: The Return on ₦24 million.
When is Olamide’s new album out?
Time & Space, his 13th studio album, is due on 16 November.
This roundup summarises reporting by the outlets credited under each story, in our own words. Follow Naijatipsland Updates on WhatsApp for the next edition. Spotted an error? Tell us and we will correct it under our editorial policy.
