Nigeria is taking center stage and letting the world know they’re not just a country in Africa but the Giants of Africa. Nigeria is one if the biggest exporters of the African culture, exporting Afro beat through music with big stars such as Burna Boy, Tems, Rhema, Davido and many others; the different tribes, their way of living and their cultures, through Nigerian movies, and mouth watering Nigerian dishes like the famous Nigerian Jollof, through world-class chefs and exquisite fine dining.
When you hear Nollywood as a Nigerian, your mind flashes straight to Africa Magic, the satellite channel that airs Nigerian movies 24/7. Nollywood, Nigeria’s film industry, once dismissed as low-budget, overly dramatic and locally confined, is today re-writing history with modern, now cinematic and larger budget movies, re-telling Nigerian stories in more captivating ways. This new approach has opened up gateways for the Nigerian film industry, reeling in more profits and views, both for the movie makers and the industry at large, making Nollywood the second-largest film producer in the world.
From Netflix to Amazon Prime Video, the Nigerian movie industry is gaining global relevance and taking center stage in the world’s entertainment sector, exporting the Nigerian culture far beyond the shores of Africa. With the premier of LionHeart in 2018, the first Nigerian original on Netflix, Nigerian movie directors and producers began an upward climb to online streaming platforms, producing and airing action-packed, suspense-thrilling, entertaining blockbusters; sealing licensing deals and multi-year partnerships.
Over time, we’ve seen films that span across genres such as action, comedy, drama, and romance, movies like ‘Elesin Oba, Anikulapo and Gangs of Lagos’ have sparked conversations globally about African history, spirituality and societal norms but one movie has trended for weeks un-end, sparking more and more conversations about the Nigerian culture. If you’ve been online for the past 4weeks, the term ‘Odogwu paranra’ and ‘Achalugo’ should not just sound familiar but ring bells in your head.
If you haven’t heard about it yet, let me be the first to tell you, this love in every word film is breaking the internet, and it’s doing so in the most impactful, positive way possible. Released on March 7, 2025 by Nollywood veteran Omoni Oboli, ‘Love in Every Word’ is one of the most-watched Nigerian movies on YouTube, hitting 1 million views in less than 24hours, and trending as number 1 on Youtube. This movie is creating lasting impact and changing the trajectory of film distribution locally.
Set in Lagos and Anambra, states in Nigeria, this romantic movie tells the love story that unfolds between a young single lady working in a cooperate firm, with Igbo descent and an Igbo business tycoon in his late thirties, looking to get married and settle down. Played by Bamike ‘Bam Bam’ Olawunmi-Adenibuyan and Uzor Arukwe respectively, Odogwu and Chioma’s love story is one of self-discovery; learning who we truly are, what we stand for, and how we love and are loved by others. We see the vulnerability in their connection and the challenges they face as they try to reconcile their individual worlds with their shared desires, navigating the complexity of love in the context of cultural differences.
In love in every word movie, we see the complexities surrounding picking the right partner, the difference between what we want and what is right for us. Will Chioma turn down the man of her dreams because of the difference in their age and his accent or would she be brave enough to explore the possibilities of a life with the man of her dreams? The story follows the intricate journey of love, cultural clashes, and self-discovery, resonating with people across different backgrounds. It’s a story about human connection, vulnerability, and the often-difficult journey toward understanding and embracing one another’s differences.
The casting of Uzor Arukwe and Bam Bam Olawunmi-Adenibuyan in love in every word brings the characters to life with emotional authenticity. Both actors delivererd performances that felt genuine and full of heart, making their on-screen chemistry not only believable and magical at the same time. It’s the kind of chemistry that keeps you on the edge of your seat, rooting for them as they navigate the ups and downs of their relationship. It’s the kind of movie that sticks with you long after you’ve watched it, leaving a mark on your heart, your emotions, and your thoughts about love and connection.
This captivating love story sparked conversations and trends online, with the trending sound of Odogwu promising to marry Chioma and Chioma blowing him off softly, ‘Achalugo I’m going to marry you’… ‘Odogwu please’. These two lines can be said to be what catapulted the views of this captivating romantic film and turned ‘Love in Every Word’ into a viral sensation, now being viewed at 23 million views in just 1month.
This huge success milestone was not without a challenge, as it was brought down by the streaming platform, Youtube, barely 5 days after its release, due to copyright infringement claim by Chinonso Obiora. The temporary removal sparked agitation and significant reactions from fans, expressing outburst as a lot of people online were yet to see the movie.
This success is a testament to the fact that Nigerian cinema is more than ready for global recognition. Nollywood has long been praised for its ability to tell rich, relatable stories that appeal to a wide range of viewers. Now, films like “Love in Every Word” are starting to break through in unprecedented ways, showing that African narratives can not only find success at home but can also resonate on the global stage.
The film’s success on YouTube points to a larger trend of African filmmakers taking their content directly to audiences, without the traditional barriers that might have existed in the past. This is a huge shift, allowing filmmakers like Omoni Oboli to directly engage with their viewers and build an international audience. It’s an exciting time for Nollywood, and Omoni Oboli’s film is leading.
For Omoni Oboli, “Love in Every Word” marks another significant milestone in her already impressive career. The actress-turned-director has proven time and time again that she’s got both skills and talent to be both in front of the camera and behind it.
As a director, Omoni has always focused on telling meaningful, impactful stories that go beyond the surface-level tropes often found in commercial cinema. Her films reflect the richness and complexity of Nigerian culture, while also exploring universal themes that speak to audiences everywhere. “Love in Every Word” is no different.
Omoni’s vision for the film, combined with her expert direction, has paid off. The fact that this film is currently one of the most-watched Nigerian films on YouTube speaks volumes about her growing influence in the industry. With “Love in Every Word”, she’s not only cementing her place as one of Nollywood’s top filmmakers but also showing the world that she has the skill, creativity, and foresight to lead Nollywood into the future.
More importantly, “Love in Every Word” shows that Nigerian films can dominate global platforms like YouTube, Netflix, and beyond. It’s breaking down barriers, starting conversations, and proving that Nollywood is more than capable of holding its own in the global film industry.
Omoni Oboli’s journey with “Love in Every Word” is a story of perseverance, vision, and passion. And if this film is any indication of what’s to come, the future of Nollywood looks even brighter. If you haven’t watched it yet, do yourself a favor and check it out.
The good news for anyone who hasn’t had the chance to watch this film yet is that it’s still available on YouTube. “Love in Every Word” is available to stream on Omoni Oboli TV, her official YouTube channel, where you can enjoy the film in its entirety. Whether you’re watching on your phone, tablet, or TV, the film is just a click away. This is the kind of film that will leave you thinking long after the credits roll.
