By Deborah Nnamdi
Nollywood actor and filmmaker Daniel Etim-Effiong has made a powerful directorial debut as his first feature film, The Herd, grossed N30.1 million in its opening weekend at the Nigerian box office.
Data from the Nigerian Box Office shows that the crime thriller earned N28.8 million between October 17 and 19, 2025, and a cumulative N30.1 million in its first week. The impressive debut places The Herd among the strongest-performing Nollywood releases in the latter half of 2025, marking a successful transition for Etim-Effiong from actor to director.
Co-produced by FilmOne Studios, ToriTori Films, Serendipity HHC, and Airscape, The Herd tells a compelling story of love, family, and generational change set in South West Nigeria. Blending elements of crime and psychological drama, the film reflects the growing sophistication of modern Nigerian storytelling.
Before its nationwide release, the film built anticipation with high-profile promotional events, including an exclusive dinner hosted by Filmhouse Group, That Good Media, Nigerian International Film Summit (NIFS), and Legend Hotel. Its Lagos red-carpet premiere drew Nollywood heavyweights such as Adesua Etomi-Wellington, Kate Henshaw, Linda Ejiofor-Suleiman, Kunle Remi, and Ebuka Obi-Uchendu, alongside producers and industry executives.
Earlier in May 2025, a shorter version of The Herd was screened at the Marché du Film during the Cannes Film Festival, earning early international attention. Etim-Effiong also joined a panel discussion titled “The Nollywood Conversations: A Deep Dive into Opportunities to Present African Stories for Global Screens”, organized by FilmOne Entertainment and NIFS.
With its strong box office opening and prior exposure on the global stage, The Herd represents a defining moment in Nollywood’s evolution—bridging local authenticity with international cinematic appeal. Its performance adds momentum to an already strong year for the industry, following the success of titles like Gingerrr and Ori: The Rebirth.
As The Herd continues its theatrical run, early projections suggest it could emerge as one of 2025’s standout Nollywood films, further establishing Daniel Etim-Effiong as one of the industry’s most versatile creative talents.
Etim-Effiong, a chemical engineering graduate of the University of Lagos and an alumnus of AFDA Film School in Cape Town, began his acting career in 2013 with the NdaniTV series Gidi Up. Over the years, he has become one of Nollywood’s most bankable actors, with credits including Oloture, The Wedding Party, Fishbone, and The Men’s Club.
Beyond acting, he continues to champion authentic African storytelling through his media company, ToriTori, which focuses on socially impactful narratives.
