Ikenga Becomes West Africa's Top-Grossing Igbo Film

The Executive Producer of the popular Igbo movie "Ikenga: The Last Festival," Anita Odiakaose, says the film has grossed more than N100 million in cinema revenue less than a month after its release.

Odiakaose disclosed this on Tuesday at a news conference in Enugu, organised to celebrate the movie's performance and promote Igbo culture and heritage.

She said the film began showing in cinemas nationwide on August 21 and has since surpassed the N100 million mark while still running in theatres. As of Saturday, she added, Ikenga was recognised as the highest-grossing Igbo film in West Africa — a milestone she described as worth celebrating.

A Film Rooted in Culture and Heritage

The producer explained that Ikenga was conceived as a culture-oriented movie, designed to promote Igbo culture, language, and heritage through entertainment. She said the filmmakers combined fiction and non-fiction elements, weaving a cultural festival together with a love story to make the film appealing to broader audiences.

According to Odiakaose, about 90 per cent of the movie's dialogue is in Igbo, with subtitles, while roughly 90 per cent of its cast and crew are Igbo — featuring notable actors including Pete Edochie, Patience Ozokwor, Kanayo O. Kanayo, Zubby Michael, Jidekene, Beverly Osu, and others. She said the film's success demonstrates that audiences are genuinely interested in films that celebrate their culture and heritage.

Concern Over Declining Use of Igbo Language

Odiakaose expressed concern over the declining use of the Igbo language, admitting that she herself struggles to speak Igbo fluently despite being an Igbo woman. She urged filmmakers to produce more films that expose audiences — including those in the diaspora — to Igbo language, traditions, and cultural practices.

The producer acknowledged that Igbo filmmakers, including herself, have not done enough to promote Igbo identity through their work, adding that filmmakers should be more deliberate about incorporating Igbo names, language, and cultural elements into their productions.

First Cinema Production After Years of YouTube Content

Odiakaose noted that Ikenga is not her first film, disclosing that she has produced around 70 titles for YouTube and other platforms — but that this marks her first cinema production.

International Screenings Planned

She revealed that plans are underway for international screenings of the film in the United States, United Kingdom, and Canada. According to her, the U.S. premiere is scheduled for October 30, with screenings in the United Kingdom and Canada planned for November and December respectively.

Odiakaose said the success of Ikenga has demonstrated the strong potential for culturally focused films to attract audiences and generate significant cinema revenue.