History Made in Lagos: Nollywood Thriller ‘Black Market’ Claims Guinness World Record
Nollywood has officially made global cinema history.
On Saturday, September 26, 2026, the premiere of the Nigerian crime thriller ‘Black Market’ shattered the Guinness World Record for the largest attendance at a single-location film screening.
More than 51,000 moviegoers packed into the historic Tafawa Balewa Square (TBS) in Lagos to watch the film, making it the biggest movie screening event in modern history.
Surpassing the 11-Year-Old Global Record
The massive turnout easily topped the previous record set over a decade ago. In 2015, the Filipino biographical drama Felix Manalo drew 43,624 viewers at the Philippine Arena.
Organizers of the Black Market screening originally aimed for 50,000 attendees. They blew past that target as thousands lined up around TBS early in the morning.
While Lagos State Deputy Governor Obafemi Hamzat noted that total venue attendance reached roughly 64,000 people, Guinness World Records officially verified 51,000 viewers. To qualify for the official tally, adjudicators required audience members to stay in their seats from the opening credits to the final scene.
When officials confirmed the record, the stadium erupted in loud cheers, live music, and a celebratory fireworks display.
A Festival of Nigerian Entertainment and Culture
The event was more than a movie screening—it was a full-scale cultural festival.
Gates opened at 2:00 PM, leading into a red carpet event at 3:00 PM and the main film screening at 7:00 PM. Attendees enjoyed food stalls, interactive games, live musical performances, and pop-up entertainment throughout the venue.
Notable Dignitaries & Nollywood Stars in Attendance
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Government Officials: Lagos State Deputy Governor Obafemi Hamzat and Commissioner for Tourism, Arts and Culture Toke Benson.
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Celebrity Guests & Cast Members: Lateef Adedimeji, Kunle Remi, Stan Nze, Blessing Obasi, Linda Ejiofor-Suleiman, Gabriel Afolayan, and acclaimed filmmaker Kunle Afolayan.
What is ‘Black Market’ About?
Directed by Fatimah Binta Gimsay and co-written with Abdul Tijani-Ahmed, Black Market is a high-stakes crime thriller.
The story follows five women involved in a dangerous cross-border smuggling network. When the daughter of one of the women is kidnapped, the group faces a tense struggle for survival, justice, and redemption.
The film boasts a star-studded cast including:
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Linda Ejiofor-Suleiman
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Lateef Adedimeji
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Omowunmi Dada
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Scarlet Gomez
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Teniola Aladese
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Susan Pwajok
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Uzor Arukwe
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Itele D Icon
The landmark screening was produced through a collaborative effort by Rixel Studios, FilmOne Studios, Signet Ring Studios, and Switch Visuals Production.
