Entertainment News Today, 9 November 2026: AIFF Winners, Omoni Oboli Christmas Films, Detty December Cinema Dates
Last updated: 9 November 2026 · By Naijatipsland Editorial Team · Editorial policy
Morning roundup · Monday 9 November 2026 · By Ade Adeniyi, Founder and Editor
Good morning. Festive-season Nollywood is taking shape fast: Omoni Oboli starts a run of seven free-to-stream Christmas films this Friday, and three big cinema titles have December dates. The Abuja International Film Festival has named its winners, 2Baba took his music to Tanzania, and an Igbo-language film is heading to Malawi. Here is the morning’s entertainment news.
Today at a glance
- Abuja International Film Festival: Evi named best Nigerian feature; Uzor Arukwe shares best actor.
- Omoni Oboli and MTN will release seven Christmas films on YouTube, the first on 13 November.
- Detty December cinema slate: Baba Segi’s Wives, Funke Akindele’s The Four and Toyin Abraham’s Bestie.
- 2Baba headlines Tanzania’s Bongo Flava@30 festival ahead of his 27 November album.
- Igbo-language film Ikenga claims N120 million-plus at the box office and books a Malawi premiere.
1. Abuja International Film Festival crowns its winners
What happened
The 23rd Abuja International Film Festival (AIFF) closed with awards shared between China, Nigeria and South Africa. Chinese thriller The Shadow’s Edge took three prizes, including the Golden Jury Award and best director for Larry Yang. Among Nigerian films, Uvoyou Adia’s Evi won Outstanding Feature Film (Nigeria), Tayo Elesin’s Yellow Slipper won for music score, and the best actor prize was shared by Uzor Arukwe and Rotimi Salami, the latter for Kilanko, The Invincible Child. Siri and the Whispering Woods won the animation category.
Why it matters
AIFF is one of the country’s oldest film festivals. Awards in craft categories such as music and animation point to growing depth in Nollywood beyond the big comedies, and they give smaller productions a profile ahead of streaming and distribution deals.
Source: Voice of Nigeria; The Nation.
2. Omoni Oboli and MTN line up seven Christmas films on YouTube
What happened
Filmmaker Omoni Oboli has partnered with MTN Nigeria on seven Christmas movies for her YouTube channel, Omoni Oboli TV. The first premieres on Friday 13 November, with the rest rolling out through the season. The slate was unveiled at a “Christmas Movie Mixer” at MTN’s rooftop venue in Falomo, Ikoyi, Lagos. Oboli says the films, about four to five months in the making, deal with love, family and forgiveness. She is keeping titles secret until release day because, she says, copycat channels rename their uploads to match announced titles and mislead viewers.
Why it matters
Free YouTube releases backed by a telecoms brand are now a serious route for Nollywood, especially for viewers who cannot afford cinema tickets or streaming subscriptions. If you plan to watch, use her verified channel rather than look-alike uploads. For paid options, see our list of Nigerian movies and series to stream.
Source: ThisDay; The Guardian Nigeria; TheCable Lifestyle.
3. Detty December at the cinema: three dates to note
What happened
Three major Nigerian titles have confirmed December cinema releases. The Secret Lives of Baba Segi’s Wives, which screened in Toronto earlier this year, opens on 4 December. Funke Akindele’s The Four: No One Fights Alone, a drama about four women fighting for a young man they love, follows on 11 December through FilmOne Entertainment. Toyin Abraham’s Bestie, which she also directs, arrives on 16 December. Separately, Akindele revealed that an unnamed influencer once turned down a paid offer to promote Everybody Loves Jenifa, which went on to earn about ₦1.88 billion.
Why it matters
Akindele’s last three films each set box-office records, and Abraham’s Oversabi Aunty passed ₦1 billion. With both women releasing five days apart, December could produce another record season for Nigerian cinemas.
4. 2Baba headlines Bongo Flava’s 30th birthday in Tanzania
What happened
2Baba (Innocent Idibia) was among the headline acts at the Bongo Flava@30 festival in Mbeya, Tanzania, on Saturday 7 November. The event marked three decades of Tanzania’s best-known pop genre, with pioneers including Mr Blue, Afande Sele, Juma Nature and Gangwe Mob also on the bill. The show comes ahead of his new album, Oldest Young Man, due on 27 November.
Why it matters
East Africa is a growing market for Nigerian music, and a slot at a genre’s anniversary celebration shows how much respect 2Baba’s catalogue still commands across the continent as he returns with new work.
Source: Vanguard; The Nation.
5. Igbo-language thriller Ikenga heads to Malawi
What happened
Producer Anita Ngozichukwuka Odiakaose says Ikenga: The Last Festival, shot almost entirely in Igbo with a South-East and South-South cast and crew, has grossed more than ₦120 million since its 21 August cinema release. She describes this as a record for a West African indigenous-language film; we could not independently verify that claim. The film is showing at Odeon cinemas in the UK, and the Film Association of Malawi says it will premiere in Lilongwe on 26 November during the Malawi Film Awards. At a briefing in Enugu, Odiakaose also urged filmmakers to stop glamorising internet fraud and money rituals.
Why it matters
Strong takings for an indigenous-language title, plus a UK run, suggest diaspora audiences will pay for films in Igbo, Yoruba and Hausa, not only English-language Nollywood.
Source: Vanguard; The Times (Malawi); Malawi24.
6. Moelogo brings Yoruba Healer to a Lagos stage
What happened
British-Nigerian singer Moelogo will headline “Yoruba Healer Live” in Lagos on 20 December, built around his debut album of the same name. Seven other acts are billed, including Oladapo, Amaeya and DOTTi The Deity, with guest appearances and DJ sets promised.
Why it matters
It adds a culture-led, album-focused show to a December calendar usually dominated by big arena concerts, an option for fans who want something smaller.
Source: The Guardian Nigeria.
What to watch next
- Friday 13 November: first of Omoni Oboli’s seven Christmas films on YouTube.
- Monday 16 November, 1:45pm Nigerian time: 2027 Grammy nominations. Asake, Tems and Davido are among Nigerians with submissions; see our Grammy guide.
- 26 November: Ikenga premieres in Lilongwe, Malawi.
- 27 November: 2Baba’s album Oldest Young Man.
- 4, 11 and 16 December: Baba Segi’s Wives, The Four and Bestie in cinemas.
Frequently asked questions
Where can I watch Omoni Oboli’s Christmas films?
On her official YouTube channel, Omoni Oboli TV, starting on 13 November. Titles are revealed on release day.
When is Funke Akindele’s new film out?
The Four: No One Fights Alone opens in Nigerian cinemas on 11 December, distributed by FilmOne Entertainment.
Who won best Nigerian film at AIFF 2026?
Uvoyou Adia’s Evi won Outstanding Feature Film (Nigeria) at the 23rd Abuja International Film Festival.
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.
