Actor and filmmaker Ibrahim “Itele” Yekini celebrates a groundbreaking milestone, calling the achievement a win for African cinema.
Nollywood star Ibrahim Yekini, widely known as Itele, is celebrating a historic feat for African cinema. His hit film Koleoso has become the first Nollywood—and first African—movie to reach 100 million views on YouTube as a single title.
Sharing the news passionately on Instagram, Itele reflected on the journey with pride and a sense of legacy. “HISTORY. RECORD. LEGACY,” he wrote. “Officially, the FIRST Nollywood title and the FIRST African movie title to hit this milestone on YouTube as ONE TITLE.”
He made sure to credit those who made it possible. “Let this be known that I, Ibrahim Yekini Bakare, am the FIRST to pull this stunt in the history of Nollywood. Do not deny me my flower,” he stated, acknowledging his team, family, and devoted fan base. “This is a STRONG fan base. My KOLEOSO FAMILY, my LEGENDS—you made this happen.”
The actor framed the achievement as a collective victory. “This is a WIN FOR NOLLYWOOD. This is a WIN FOR AFRICA,” he proclaimed. “A win for THE CULTURE. A win for THE YORUBAS. A win for NIGERIA.”
This milestone caps a remarkable year for Itele, whose work was also among Nigeria’s most-searched series in 2025 and earned him a spot among the country’s Top 10 YouTube creators. The success marks a dramatic rise for the actor, who has openly shared his difficult path to stardom, including pre-fame struggles he says nearly cost him his life.
Itele’s recent trajectory has been decorated with acclaim. Two years ago, his powerful performance in Jagun Jagun drew widespread praise. In 2023, he swept major awards, winning both Best Actor and Best Director of the Year, and later received a leadership award for his mentorship and contribution to entertainment.
Through Koleoso’s record-shattering reach, Itele has not only cemented his own legacy but has also powerfully demonstrated the growing global audience for African storytelling.
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