Laju Iren, Nollywood filmmaker and author, taps Women’s Day celebrations to debut her film ‘Onobiren: A Woman’s Story’, which recorded N30.1 million in ticket sales during its opening weekend, placing it at the top of the Nigerian box office from March 6 to March 8, 2026.
Onobiren: A Woman’s Story debuted in cinemas across Nigeria and Ghana on March 6, 2026. The performance placed the film ahead of other titles showing in Nigerian cinemas during the weekend, including both local and international releases.
The project marks Laju Iren’s first cinema release as an executive producer. The film’s rollout coincided with Women’s Month, with its storyline focusing on the experiences of women and the role of community support.
Following the announcement of the box office figures, Iren thanked audiences on the social media platform X, writing that the film became the highest-grossing title for the weekend and expressing appreciation to viewers who went to cinemas.
The film premiered on March 1, 2026, at EbonyLife Cinemas in Victoria Island, Lagos. The event was attended by filmmakers, media figures and guests from the entertainment industry.
Onobiren: A Woman’s Story follows the story of Roli, a young woman who relocates from Warri in Delta State to Lagos. The plot centres on her search for stability and direction while navigating social expectations and economic pressures.
Several scenes were filmed in Koko, a town in Delta State, where Iren’s grandmother is from. The locations were used to reflect elements of the culture and traditions of the Niger Delta.
The film features Ruby Akubueze, Bisola Aiyeola, Deyemi Okanlawon, Patience Ozokwor, Norbert Young, and Desmond Bryce. It was produced by Laju Iren Films in partnership with Africa No Filter and Creative Economy Practice, and distributed by FilmOne Entertainment.
Before Onobiren, Iren released ‘Love is a Star’, which premiered on her YouTube channel and recorded more than 14,000 views within its first week.
The opening weekend figures also place Onobiren ahead of the initial performance of ‘What About Us’, a 2024 film produced by Emmanuel Iren, which earned N24.6 million during its opening weekend before later crossing the N100 million mark at the Nigerian box office.
Onobiren: A Woman’s Story is currently showing in cinemas in Nigeria and Ghana.
