The Cinema Exhibitors Association of Nigeria (CEAN) generated N6.94 billion in revenue in 2022.

CEAN national president Opeyemi Ajayi disclosed this in an interview in Lagos.

Mr Ajayi said there had been an appreciable increase in revenue generation in 2022 compared with the previous years.

“The box office raked in N4.74 billion in 2021, N2.1 billion in 2020, N6.4 billion in 2019 and N5.98 billion in 2018. For 2022, the increase in average ticket price led to revenue growth, and admissions remained flat in the previous year,” stated the CEAN president. 

Mr Ajayi further mentioned that Nigeria “continues to lead recovery” in Africa, post-COVID-19, on the back of strong local industry. 

“Also, Hollywood continues to focus on African content, and engagement is very positive for the box office. We observed that “Black Panther” is on track to become the first N1 billion movie,” he added.

Mr Ajayi said for the 2023 outlook, gross revenue and admissions were

expected to grow by a minimum of 20 per cent, and some factors had been observed to drive growth in the new year as five cinemas were opened in the fourth quarter of 2022, and a minimum of three new locations were expected to open in the first half of 2023.

“This will be a positive addition to the box office,” he said.

The CEAN boss noted that a 10 to 15 per cent increase in ticket price would potentially drive box office revenue in 2023 because independent cinemas constituted 25 per cent of the market share at present, although they were faced with a low ticket price.

“Collaborations between Hollywood and Nollywood on content are expected to continue in the foreseeable future. And with the breakout success of big Nollywood movies such as Brotherhood, Battle on Buka Street, and King of Thieves, to mention a few, 2023 is expected to have larger budget movies and potential releases outside the West African territory,” Mr Ajayi explained.

Ajayi listed the top five highest-grossing Nollywood films in 2022 as Brotherhood, King of Thieves, Battle on Buka Street, Ijakumo and Passport. He said the top five highest-grossing Hollywood films were Black Panther, Woman King, Dr Strange, Thor: Love and Thunder and Black Adam. 

(NAN)