Nollywood’s ‘Black Market’ Sets New Guinness World Record With 51,000 Viewers
Nollywood has recorded a major milestone as Nigerian crime thriller Black Market attracted 51,000 qualifying viewers to Tafawa Balewa Square (TBS), Lagos, setting a new Guinness World Record for the largest audience at a single-location film screening.
The record-breaking screening, held on Saturday, September 26, 2026, surpassed the previous record of 43,624 viewers set by the Filipino film Felix Manalo at the Philippine Arena in 2015.
With the achievement, Black Market exceeded the previous record by 7,376 viewers, marking a significant moment for Nigeria’s film industry.
Although the event reportedly attracted approximately 64,000 people, Guinness World Records recognised 51,000 as the qualifying audience. The official count was based on viewers who remained throughout the entire screening, accounting for the difference between the total attendance and the number recognised for the record.
The announcement of the achievement sparked excitement among attendees, with loud cheers, celebrations and fireworks lighting up the venue as the new record was confirmed.
The event attracted prominent personalities, including Lagos State Deputy Governor and gubernatorial candidate, Dr Obafemi Hamzat, and the Commissioner for Tourism, Arts and Culture, Toke Benson.
Several Nollywood stars who featured in the film were also present, including Lateef Adedimeji, Linda Ejiofor-Suleiman, Omowunmi Dada, Scarlet Gomez, Uzor Arukwe, Ibrahim Yekini, popularly known as Itele D Icon, and Susan Pwajok.
Directed by Fatimah Binta Gimsay and produced by Nora Awolowo, Black Market tells the story of five women involved in a cross-border smuggling operation amid fuel scarcity and economic hardship.
The plot takes a dramatic turn when the daughter of one of the women is kidnapped, triggering a series of events that threaten the operation, as well as the relationships among those involved.
The record-breaking screening highlights the growing reach of Nollywood and the capacity of Nigerian filmmakers to attract large audiences for locally produced films.
