Lagos State has celebrated a new Guinness World Records title after the premiere of the Nigerian crime thriller, Black Market, attracted 51,258 attendees at Tafawa Balewa Square (TBS), Lagos Island, on Saturday, September 26, 2026.
The record-breaking premiere was hailed by the Lagos State Deputy Governor, Dr. Obafemi Kadri Hamzat, and the Commissioner for Tourism, Arts and Culture, Mrs. Toke Benson-Awoyinka, as a significant milestone for Nigeria’s creative industry.
Speaking at the event, Hamzat congratulated the organisers and thousands of Nigerians who participated in the record attempt, noting that the achievement demonstrated the country’s immense creative potential. He said government had a responsibility to provide the infrastructure and opportunities needed to enable the creative sector to thrive.
The Deputy Governor stressed that while investments in roads, healthcare and other physical infrastructure remained important, equal attention should be given to the creative and cultural industries. He also cited Hollywood’s global influence and encouraged Nollywood to strengthen its international presence through partnerships and innovative initiatives.
The producer of Black Market, Nora Awolowo, described the gathering as an experience that had grown beyond the film itself, noting that thousands of people had come together around a single screen and story to create a historic moment.
Following the screening and verification process, the Director of Central Record Services and Guinness World Records Official Adjudicator, Mark McKinley, announced that the record attempt had been successful. He explained that only spectators who were present at both the beginning and end of the screening were eligible to be counted.
According to McKinley, the previous record for the largest attendance at a film premiere or screening stood at 43,624, achieved in the Philippines in 2015. After reviewing the required documentation, witnessing the event and completing the necessary verification procedures, he announced a final attendance figure of 51,258.
He subsequently confirmed that Switch Visuals Limited and Rizzle Studios had set a new Guinness World Records title, surpassing the previous figure. He commended the organisers, including Executive Producer Damilola Osikoya and Black Market producer Nora Awolowo, for the organisation of the event.
The premiere featured music, food and games and attracted several celebrities and notable personalities, including Omowunmi Dada, Femi Adebayo, Gabriel Afolayan, Bimpe Adedimeji, Real Warri Pikin and Tomi Ojo, among others.
The event received support from the Lagos State Government through the Ministry of Tourism, Arts and Culture, as well as corporate partners, reflecting the state’s continued support for tourism, arts, culture and the creative economy.
Directed by Fatimah Binta Gimsay and produced by Nora Awolowo, Black Market features Omowunmi Dada, Lateef Adedimeji, Linda Ejiofor-Suleiman, Scarlet Gomez, Teniola Aladese, Susan Pwajok, Ibrahim Yekini (Itele D Icon) and Uzor Arukwe, among others.
The record-setting premiere further highlighted Lagos as a major centre for entertainment and creative enterprise, while drawing international attention to the scale and potential of Nigeria’s film industry.
