The Cinema Exhibitors Association of Nigeria (CEAN) reported a revenue of US$809,557 generated from cinemas across the country in January. CEAN’s national president, Opeyemi Ajayi, disclosed this information recently in Lagos.
According to Ajayi, 322,833 viewers visited cinemas within the period under review.
Ajayi further revealed that 2023 saw an increase in revenue generated across cinemas in the country, standing at US$4.9 million with 2,606,891 admissions. This was an improvement from 2022, which attracted US$4,6 million in revenue.
Although admissions into cinemas decreased in 2023, revenue increased due to an increase in average ticket sales.
Ajayi listed the highest-grossing Nollywood films for 2023, which included A Tribe Called Judah, Malaika, Orisa, Ada Omo Daddy, Merry Men, Kesari, Something Like Gold, The Kujus Again, Afamefuna, and A Weekend to Forget. Additionally, 2023 recorded the highest December Gross Box Office (GBO) of US$1 million and a significant increase in admissions of 467,985 compared to December 2022, which had 384,435.
CEAN also celebrated the first-ever Cinema Day in September, which led to a significant rise in admission and revenue. In 2023, eight new cinemas were opened while two cinemas were shut down due to increasing cost of operations.
