‘Black Market’: Over 51,000 Nigerians Gather in Lagos for Record-Breaking Screening

Nollywood has recorded a Guinness World Records feat after more than 51,000 movie lovers gathered at Tafawa Balewa Square (TBS), Lagos, to watch the crime thriller Black Market.

The record was confirmed by a Guinness World Records official during the screening on Saturday night, following the recording of more than 51,000 people at the venue.

FilmOne, the movie’s distributor, subsequently announced the achievement on its social media platforms.

“51,000+ people. One screen. One moment that just made history,” FilmOne said.

“We’ve officially set a WORLD RECORD for the Largest Audience Gathering Ever for a Movie Screening.”

FilmOne added: “Nigeria, we didn’t just watch a movie. WE MADE HISTORY.”

The event drew a massive crowd to TBS, with movie lovers arriving several hours before the scheduled screening.

Organisers had set a target of 50,000 attendees as part of their attempt to establish a new Guinness World Record for the largest audience gathering for a movie screening at a single location.

The venue opened to attendees at 2pm, while the red carpet began around 3pm. The main screening was scheduled between 7pm and 8:30pm.

Long queues were seen extending towards the TBS roundabout as attendees made their way into the venue.

Beyond the movie screening, the programme featured music, food and games. Several celebrities and public figures also attended the event.

Lagos State Deputy Governor Obafemi Hamzat arrived at approximately 8:50pm, while celebrities including Gabriel Afolayan, Real Warri Pikin and Tomi Ojo were spotted at the venue.

Black Market was produced by Rixel Studios, Signet Ring Studios and FilmOne Studios, with FilmOne handling its distribution.

Directed by Fatimah Binta Gimsay and produced by Nora Awolowo, the movie features Omowunmi Dada, Lateef Adedimeji, Linda Ejiofor-Suleiman, Scarlet Gomez, Teniola Aladese, Susan Pwajok, Ibrahim Yekini, popularly known as Itele D Icon, and Uzor Arukwe, among others.

The crime thriller centres on five market women involved in a cross-border smuggling operation as they struggle with fuel scarcity and economic pressure.

Their situation becomes more complicated when the daughter of one of the women is kidnapped, setting off a chain of dramatic events.

The record-setting screening received support from the Lagos State Government through the Ministry of Tourism, Arts and Culture, as well as several corporate partners.

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