Facebook, the social media platform owned by Meta, has partnered with Nollywood filmmaker Funke Akindele for the premieres of her new feature film, The Four. The film will have a world premiere in London and a “homecoming premiere” in Lagos ahead of its global cinema release on December 11.
The partnership, announced this week and reported by TVC News and ThisDay, is the latest sign of how global tech platforms are moving closer to Nigeria’s film industry as Nollywood stories find bigger audiences at home and in the diaspora.
What the Partnership Involves
According to the reports, Facebook will support both premiere events, bringing together creators, celebrities and audiences. Each premiere will feature a creator-hosted space where content creators will produce social media material showing how Facebook can be used to reach younger audiences and promote Nigerian stories.
Behind-the-scenes content from the premieres will be shared on Meta Africa’s Facebook page, as well as on the official Facebook pages of Akindele and her production company, FAAN TV.
Oluwasola Obagbemi, Meta’s Head of Communications for Sub-Saharan Africa, said the collaboration would show how creators use the platform to build communities and connect with fans. She said creators on Facebook can reach a global audience and earn money from original content.
Akindele described the deal as a way to take African stories to more people around the world. “African cinema has always had beautiful stories for the world to enjoy,” she said, adding that the partnership also celebrates the audiences who have supported her career. Dates and venues for the two premieres have not yet been announced.
About ‘The Four’
Akindele first announced the film in August. Its full title is The Four: No One Fights Alone, and it is described as a drama about friendship, motherhood and resilience. The story follows Esosa and three loyal women who put their courage, faith and loyalty on the line to fight for the future of a young man they love, moving between the Odu community and the city.
Akindele wrote, directed and produced the film, and also stars in it. According to Pulse Nigeria and BellaNaija, the cast includes Bisola Aiyeola, Chioma Akpotha, Richard Mofe-Damijo (RMD), Timini Egbuson, Lateef Adedimeji, Ali Nuhu, Uzor Arukwe, Ronke Oshodi Oke, Antar Laniyan and Wunmi Toriola, with appearances by singer Waje and others. FilmOne Entertainment is handling cinema distribution.
Akindele’s December Tradition
The December 11 date continues Akindele’s habit of releasing her big films during the festive season, when Nigerian cinemas record their busiest weeks. Her recent December releases, including Battle on Buka Street, A Tribe Called Judah, Everybody Loves Jenifa and last year’s Behind the Scenes, all became major box office hits, making her Nigeria’s highest-grossing filmmaker.
Behind the Scenes, released in December 2025, set new records, becoming the highest-grossing Nollywood film at the time and the fastest to reach several box office milestones. Expectations for The Four are therefore high.
Why It Matters for Nollywood
The Facebook partnership reflects a wider push to connect Nigerian productions with audiences abroad. A London world premiere also speaks to the size of the Nigerian diaspora in the UK, which has become an important market for Nollywood films in cinemas and on streaming platforms.
For Meta, the deal is part of an effort to attract African creators to Facebook at a time when platforms such as TikTok and YouTube are competing hard for young audiences and creators on the continent.
What Happens Next
Fans can expect more promotional content, trailers and premiere announcements in the coming weeks as the film’s December 11 release approaches. Details of the London and Lagos premiere dates are expected to be shared on Akindele’s and FAAN TV’s social media pages.
Sources: TVC News, ThisDay, Pulse Nigeria, BellaNaija, Culture Custodian.