Four Icons to be Honoured at 17th BON Awards

The Best of Nollywood (BON) Awards has announced Funke Akindele, Pete Edochie, Steve Ayorinde, and Dr. Shaibu Husseini as recipients of its 2025 Special Recognition and Lifetime Achievement Awards

Funke Akindele, Pete Edochie, Steve Ayorinde, Shaibu Husseini to Receive Special Recognition at 2025 BON Awards

By Lukman Omikunle

The Best of Nollywood (BON) Awards, founded by media entrepreneur Seun Oloketuyi, has unveiled the recipients of its 2025 Special Recognition and Lifetime Achievement Awards, celebrating four distinguished Nigerians who have made indelible marks on the country’s creative landscape.

According to Oloketuyi, the honourees for the 17th edition are Funke Akindele, Pete Edochie (MON), Steve Ayorinde, and Dr. Shaibu Husseini — each recognised for excellence, resilience, and groundbreaking impact in their respective fields.

“These individuals are pillars of the Nigerian creative economy,” Oloketuyi said. “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.”

The 2025 BON Awards ceremony will hold on December 14, 2025, at the Federal Palace Hotel, Lagos, and will feature a Guinness World Record attempt for the Longest Red Carpet.

Funke Akindele: Naija’s Box Office Queen

Renowned actress, producer, and filmmaker Funke Akindele — Nigeria’s undisputed Box Office Queen — will receive a Special Recognition Award for her outstanding contributions to Nollywood.

Her relentless drive and creative innovation have made her the highest-grossing director in Nigeria’s box office history, with cumulative earnings exceeding ₦4.7 billion.

Akindele’s films — Everybody Loves Jenifa, A Tribe Called Judah, Battle on Buka Street, and Omo Ghetto: The Saga — currently occupy the top four spots on the list of Nigeria’s all-time highest-grossing movies. Her phenomenal commercial success continues to redefine standards for creative excellence and financial sustainability in the Nigerian film industry.

Pete Edochie, MON: Nollywood Sage

Veteran actor and cultural icon Chief Pete Edochie, MON, will receive the Lifetime Achievement Award for his enduring influence on African cinema.

Edochie’s illustrious career spans decades of exceptional performances, most notably his portrayal of Okonkwo in the NTA adaptation of Chinua Achebe’s Things Fall Apart. His commanding presence, deep voice, and embodiment of traditional African authority have earned him respect both at home and abroad.

Recognised with the Member of the Order of the Niger (MON) honour by the Nigerian government, Edochie remains a towering figure and moral compass within Nollywood.

Steve Ayorinde: Celebrated Journalist and Cultural Ambassador

Celebrated journalist, film critic, and former Lagos State Commissioner for Information & Strategy, Steve Ayorinde, will be specially recognised for his immense contributions to media, film, and cultural development.

Ayorinde’s journalistic journey saw him rise to become Editor of The Punch and later Managing Director/Editor-in-Chief of National Mirror Newspapers. His expertise has earned him places on the juries of major international film festivals, including Toronto, Cannes, and Berlin.

As a former Lagos State Commissioner for Tourism, Arts & Culture, Ayorinde played a pivotal role in policy formulation and cultural advocacy, strengthening the creative ecosystem in Nigeria.

Dr. Shaibu Husseini: Respected Scholar and Administrator

The fourth honouree, Dr. Shaibu Husseini, is a journalist, film scholar, documentarist, and cultural ambassador, widely regarded as one of Nollywood’s most consistent and intellectual voices.

He is the Director-General of the National Film and Video Censors Board (NFVCB) and has chaired the Selection Committee of the Africa Movie Academy Awards (AMAA) for 16 years. A voting member of the Golden Globes, Husseini has consistently shaped film discourse in Nigeria and beyond.

His monograph, Moviedom: The Nollywood Narratives, remains a seminal reference in film scholarship, while his public service continues to elevate the creative industry to international standards.

The 2025 BON Awards promises to be a celebration of excellence, influence, and legacy. With four of Nigeria’s most respected cultural figures being honoured, this year’s edition reaffirms BON’s commitment to spotlighting the best of Nigerian cinema and creativity.

What you should know about the BON Awards

Founded in 2009 by Seun Oloketuyi, the Best of Nollywood Awards is Nigeria’s longest-running indigenous film award platform, dedicated to recognising excellence in the country’s film and entertainment industry. Over the years, it has evolved into a prestigious cultural event, celebrating actors, filmmakers, and creatives who have contributed to the growth of Nollywood. Read More