The organisers of the Best of Nollywood (BON) Awards have announced that Shaibu Husseini, Funke Akindele, Steve Ayorinde, and veteran actor Pete Edochie will receive lifetime achievement honours at the 2025 edition of the awards.
BON founder Seun Oloketuyi made the announcement in a statement, describing the honourees as “pillars of the Nigerian creative economy.”
Speaking about this year’s recipients, Oloketuyi said the individuals being recognised have played vital roles in the growth of the Nigerian film and creative industry. He said the award is a way to celebrate their enduring legacies.
“These individuals are pillars of the Nigerian creative economy. From Funke Akindele’s unprecedented commercial success to the lifelong artistic impact of Chief Pete Edochie, and the intellectual and administrative contributions of Steve Ayorinde and Dr Shaibu Husseini, their legacies are undeniable. It is our honour to celebrate their excellence at this year’s awards,” he said.
The 17th edition of the BON Awards will hold on December 14, at the Federal Palace Hotel, Lagos. Organisers say this year’s ceremony will also attempt a Guinness World Record for the longest red carpet.
Funke Akindele, often called “Jenifa,” is one of the most successful filmmakers in Nollywood.
Her movies Everybody Loves Jenifa, A Tribe Called Judah, Battle on Buka Street and Omo Ghetto: The Saga dominate Nigeria’s list of highest-grossing films, earning her the title of Nigeria’s box office queen.
She is also the most nominated actress at the Africa Magic Viewers’ Choice Awards (AMVCA), with six wins.
Pete Edochie, who rose to fame for playing Okonkwo in the NTA adaptation of Things Fall Apart, remains one of Nollywood’s most respected figures. He was honoured with the Member of the Order of the Niger (MON) national award for his contribution to the arts.
Steve Ayorinde, a journalist, film critic and former Lagos State commissioner for tourism, arts and culture, has served as editor of The Punch and National Mirror. He has also sat on juries of international film festivals including Cannes and Toronto.
Shaibu Husseini, a film scholar and cultural administrator, is the director-general of the National Film and Video Censors Board (NFVCB). He chaired the selection committee of the Africa Movie Academy Awards (AMAA) for 16 years and is a voting member of the Golden Globes.
The BON Awards, founded in 2009, celebrates excellence in the Nigerian film industry and has become one of the country’s most respected platforms for recognising movie stars and filmmakers.
