Nollywood’s comedy king, AY Makun, is kicking off the year with a massive win as his latest film, The Waiter, storms its way to an incredible ₦200 million at the box office! The star, who has long been a powerhouse in Nigerian cinema, couldn’t hold back his excitement as he shared the news with his fans on Instagram, thanking them for their unwavering support.
“This journey has been nothing short of amazing,” AY gushed. “We couldn’t have hit this milestone without YOU, our incredible audience! Your love, your shares, your posts—everything has helped us elevate this story to new heights.” He also urged fans to keep spreading the word and hitting the cinemas, calling their support the best marketing tool a filmmaker could ask for.
But while AY is popping champagne over this milestone, his journey to success hasn’t been without drama. Just last week, he caused a stir online after lamenting the lack of support from his male colleagues in Nollywood. According to AY, men in the industry often overlook each other’s projects in favor of the ladies, jokingly attributing it to “breasts and bottoms.”
Though his comments sparked debates, AY was quick to clarify that he wasn’t throwing shade at his female peers—many of whom have supported him—but was instead calling out his fellow men to show more solidarity. “We need to cultivate a brotherhood that uplifts everyone,” he stated.
Drama aside, AY has gone all out to promote The Waiter. From shutting down the internet with a jaw-dropping premiere featuring a lineup of Rolls Royce cars to a high-profile visit to Delta State Governor Sheriff Orohwedor Oborevwori alongside veteran Richard Mofe Damijo, AY has proven that he’s not just about making movies—he’s about making moments.
This milestone comes after a stellar 2024, where AY was crowned “Box Office King” by the National Film and Video Censors Board. As if that wasn’t enough, he also bagged an appointment as Creative Goodwill Ambassador for the African Union Sixth Region Global (AU6RG).
With The Waiter still packing cinemas nationwide, AY isn’t slowing down anytime soon. He’s urging fans to keep the momentum alive, share the magic of the film, and keep the conversations going. One thing’s for sure—AY Makun is showing Nollywood how it’s done, and we’re all here for it.
