If 2025 proved anything, it is that entertainment remains one of the most dramatic mirrors of our time. From historic wins and cultural firsts to spectacles that took over social media and controversies that unfolded in real time, the year often felt like a carefully scripted blockbuster, except it was all very real. As the curtain falls on 2025, we look back at the creatives, moments and movements that made us cheer, debate, dance and, occasionally, gasp. Vanessa Obioha writes
Joel Kachi Benson:
Joel Kachi Benson started the year on a high note. His documentary ‘Mothers of Chibok’ premiered to a rousing reception at the i-Represent International Documentary Festival (iREP) in March. The film centres on women whose lives were shaped by the notorious 2014 Chibok Girls abduction, spotlighting their resilience, strength and entrepreneurial drive. A theatrical release is expected in early 2026. June brought an even bigger moment. Benson made history as the first African to win an Emmy. ‘Madu,’ the Disney Original documentary he co-directed with Oscar nominee Matt Ogens, won Outstanding Arts and Culture Documentary.
The film tells the story of Anthony Madu, the young Nigerian ballet dancer whose barefoot dance in the rain went viral in 2020, tracing his journey from Nigeria to the UK, where he earned a scholarship to the Elmhurst Ballet School.
Tems:
Like Benson, the Nigerian singer-songwriter born Temilade Openiyi, better known as Tems, started the year on a winning note. She picked up her second Grammy for Best African Music Performance for her song ‘Love Me Jeje’ from her debut album ‘Born in the Wild,’ becoming the first Nigerian to win in the category introduced in 2024.
Her Grammy glow was followed by a mesmerising performance at the unveiling of Aston Martin’s 2025 Formula One car in London. Then came a series of firsts.
Tems became the first African woman to own a stake in a Major League Soccer team, joining the San Diego FC ownership group. She also made history as the first African to headline the FIFA Club World Cup Halftime Show in July, sharing the stage with Doja Cat and J Balvin.
Away from the spotlight, she launched the Leading Vibe Initiative, aimed at mentoring and supporting emerging women artists.
Fela Kuti:
Twenty-eight years after his death, Fela Anikulapo-Kuti’s legacy continues to expand. The Recording Academy recently announced that the Afrobeat pioneer will be honoured with a Lifetime Achievement Award at its Special Merit Awards ceremony in 2026, making him the first African to receive the honour.
The Academy cited Fela’s far-reaching influence on global music and artists such as Beyoncé, Paul McCartney and Thom Yorke, as well as his role in shaping modern Afrobeats.
Burna Boy:
Still one of Nigeria’s most exported artists, in 2025, Burna Boy extended his influence beyond music into film production. He produced ‘3 Cold Dishes,’ a human trafficking drama spanning Nigeria, Côte d’Ivoire and the Benin Republic. The film opened the Africa International Film Festival (AFRIFF) and later won two awards — the NFVCB Award for Best Nigerian Film and Best Young/Promising Actor — at the Africa Movie Academy Awards (AMAA).
Wizkid:
Wizkid’s reign showed no signs of slowing down in 2025. He became the first African artist to cross 100 million Shazam requests and emerged as Nigeria’s most-streamed artist on Spotify and Apple Music. His album Morayo continued its dominance, while the documentary ‘Wizkid: Long Live Lagos!’ offered fans a reflective look at his journey.
Adekunle Gold:
Adekunle Gold’s steady evolution reached a new peak in 2025. His album ‘Fuji’ earned praise for its bold musical direction, especially ‘Many People,’ a loving salute to the Fuji genre featuring Yinka Ayefele and Adewale Ayuba.
But what really captured people’s imagination was his promotional flair. From a Fuji Street Carnival, a food-and-culture collaboration with Knorr, to a London concert at the Royal Festival Hall alongside the Guildhall Session Orchestra, fans had a new respect for his craft, with his London concert widely regarded as his finest performance yet.
Funke Akindele:
Once again, Funke Akindele proved her box office magic. Her December release ‘Behind the Scenes’ raced past the N500 million mark within a week, making it the fastest Nollywood film to do so and the highest-grossing film of the year according to its distributor FilmOne Entertainment.
The film’s exploration of black tax, backed by a star-studded cast, struck a chord with audiences. The ensemble cast included Scarlet Gomez, Iyabo Ojo, Destiny Etiko, Tobi Bakre and Uche Montana.
Imisi:
From the moment she walked into the Big Brother Naija house, Opeyemi ‘Imisi’ Ayanwale commanded attention. Her confidence, boldness and unapologetic presence dominated conversations throughout the season. By the finale, it was little surprise when she emerged as the winner, walking away with the N150 million grand prize.
Daniel Etim-Effiong:
This dashing Nollywood actor stepped behind the camera in 2025 with his directorial debut ‘The Herd.’ Tackling Nigeria’s kidnapping crisis, the film moved from cinemas to Netflix, where it quickly climbed into the platform’s Top 10 in Nigeria. Etim-Effiong starred in the movie alongside Kunle Remi, Linda Ejiofor-Suleiman, Adam Garba, Abba Ali Zaky, among others.
Regina Daniels:
In October, Regina Daniels’ fairy tale marriage to Senator Ned Nwoko became the subject of intense public scrutiny following a viral video that showed the actress in visible distress. What followed was a messy, very public fallout that divided opinion and dominated entertainment headlines for weeks. From Nwoko’s accusation that Regina is a drug addict to arresting her brother, Sammy West, for conspiracy and other crimes, the mess couldn’t be messier. Regina, taking to social media, also vowed to fight for the custody of her children.
2Baba:
Nigerian musician Innocent ‘2Baba’ Idibia shocked Nigerians in January when he announced that he had separated from his wife Annie Macaulay. The duo had been married for more than a decade and were blessed with two children. Reports later surfaced that he had found another beau, a lawmaker and member of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Natasha Osawaru.
By July, they had a private traditional wedding ceremony in Abuja, but the honeymoon seems to have faded before it started. A rumour started in October that 2Baba, who was scheduled for a concert in the United Kingdom, was allegedly arrested and could not meet his obligations, upsetting the fans. Natasha was said to have been the cause of his arrest. But the rumour was quickly quashed. However, a viral clip emerged in December, purporting the alleged incident.
In a live Instagram session with former Cool FM OAP Daddy Freeze, 2Baba, who was supposed to be part of the interview, was cut mid-air when he and Natasha got into a heated altercation. The scenario made fans react and call for help for their beloved music icon.
Carolyna Hutchings:
The actress returned to the set of The Real Housewives of Lagos season 3. If fans had expected Carolyna Hutchings to play it nice, they were disappointed as the lady brought all the spice to the show. From her heated feud with Dabota Lawson to the unresolved tension between her and Laura Ikeji, the third season was entertaining, all thanks to Carolyna and her very ‘sharp tongue.’
Davido:
Apart from his song ‘With You’ featuring Omah Lay being the anthem of 2025, Davido got fans talking with his wedding to Chioma Rowland. The couple had their traditional wedding in 2024, and in August 2025, they travelled to Miami to have the white wedding of their life. From decor to fashion to faces at the wedding, the ceremony was one of the trending moments on social media.
Darey and Deola Alade:
Few couples understand spectacle like Darey and Deola Alade. For more than a decade, the power couple have come up with different iterations of a showstopping festival. From Love Like a Movie, which saw international stars like Kim Kardashian visit Nigeria for the first time, to Livespot X Festival that brought Cardi B to Lagos. Then came the Entertainment Week Lagos, designed to be a conference, concert and a deal room all at once. This year, that idea was transformed into Entertainment Week Africa, expanding from city to continent. To cap the year, the couple organised the Detty December Fest, which has kept Lagos on its feet since December 6. From international performances from artists like Juma Jux and Busta Rhymes to breathtaking spectacles from Aerial Acrobats. The culture and lifestyle experience will culminate on December 31.
Priscilla Ojo-Mkambala:
Daughter of actress Iyabo Ojo, the young lifestyle and beauty influencer’s wedding to her man, the Tanzanian singer Juma Jux, was one of the social media highlights of the year. Every moment of the lavish wedding was captured in reels and real life, with fans drooling over their opulence.
Beyond her matrimonial bliss, Priscilla was also crowned the Top Beauty Influencer at the 2025 African Golden Awards and clinched a few ambassadorial roles with top brands.
Mr Eazi:
2025 is arguably the year of weddings as Mr Eazi, born Tosin Ajibade, also wedded his longtime girlfriend, Temi Otedola, daughter of the billionaire Femi Otedola. The couple turned their wedding into a global event, spanning three continents. The nuptial spectacle started with a civil ceremony in Monaco in May, a traditional wedding in Dubai two months later and a white wedding in Iceland in August. Stylish, cinematic and widely covered, their union was one of the year’s most talked-about celebrations and showed that love and wealth can mix well if blended properly.
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