Nollywood has made global history as crime thriller ‘Black Market’ shattered the Guinness World Record for the largest attendance at a film screening in a single location.
The record-breaking feat happened on Saturday, September 26, 2026, at Tafawa Balewa Square, TBS, Lagos, where 51,000 qualifying viewers watched the film from start to finish on a massive outdoor screen.
The previous record of 43,624 viewers was held since 2015 by Filipino epic ‘Felix Manalo’ at the Philippine Arena. The Nollywood film has now dethroned it.
Guinness World Records officials were on ground to certify the attendance. Lagos Deputy Governor Obafemi Hamzat disclosed that over 64,000 people flooded TBS that night, though Guinness certified 51,000 who met the strict viewing requirements.
Inside The Film That Made History
Directed by Fatimah Binta Gimsay and produced by Nora Awolowo of Rixel Studios and Damilola Osikoya of Switch Visual Production, in association with FilmOne Studios, ‘Black Market’ is a gritty crime thriller.
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The story centres on five women involved in a dangerous cross-border smuggling operation. Their world collapses when the daughter of one of them is kidnapped, forcing them into a brutal fight for survival.
The film boasts an ensemble cast including Lateef Adedimeji, Linda Ejiofor-Suleiman, Omowunmi Dada, Scarlet Gomez, Teniola Aladese, Susan Pwajok, Ibrahim Yekini (Itele D Icon), Uzor Arukwe and YhemoLee.
Tinubu Hails Creative Industry
President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has congratulated the filmmakers, describing the achievement as further evidence of the extraordinary talent driving Nigeria’s creative industry.
In a statement by Bayo Onanuga, the President said the feat shows what is possible when Nigerian creativity is matched with enterprise and scale, and reaffirmed his administration’s commitment to creating opportunities for young Nigerians.
From viral skits to a historic night at TBS, ‘Black Market’ has proven that Nollywood can turn a film premiere into a national movement.
