Introduction:
Omoni Oboli’s 2025 romantic comedy, Love in Every Word, has become a landmark success in Nollywood’s digital evolution. Released on March 7, 2025, via her YouTube channel, Omoni Oboli TV, the film amassed over 20 million views within its first three weeks, marking one of the fastest-growing viewerships for a Nigerian film on the platform.
🎬 Film Overview
Love in Every Word follows Chioma, a working-class woman in Lagos, who unexpectedly falls for Obiora, a charismatic businessman. Their relationship challenges societal norms and personal prejudices, offering a fresh take on modern Nigerian romance. The film stars Uzor Arukwe and Bamike Olawunmi-Adenibuyan (BamBam), whose performances have been widely praised.
📈 Viral Success and Cultural Impact
The movie’s rapid ascent was fueled by organic social media engagement. Catchphrases like “Achalugo” and “Odogwu Paranran” trended across platforms, and fans created memes and discussions that propelled the film’s visibility. This grassroots promotion kept Love in Every Word in YouTube’s trending rankings for three consecutive weeks. Nairametrics
Even the Nigerian presidency acknowledged the film’s achievement, predicting it would surpass 30 million views and commending the cast for their outstanding performances.
📺 Shift to YouTube Amid Industry Changes
The film’s success underscores a broader trend: Nigerian filmmakers increasingly turning to YouTube for distribution. This shift is driven by several factors:Pulse Nigeria+6Rest of World+6The Newspad+6
- Streaming Service Retrenchment: Platforms like Amazon Prime and Netflix have scaled back African operations due to profitability challenges, leaving a gap that YouTube is filling. The Guardian
- Limited Cinema Infrastructure: With only about 102 cinemas serving Nigeria’s 200 million people, theatrical releases have limited reach. The Guardian
- Cost-of-Living Concerns: Economic pressures make free platforms like YouTube more appealing to audiences.
Oboli herself has embraced this model, producing over 60 titles on her channel within a year, aiming for rapid content delivery and direct audience engagement.