Wumi Toriola Reflects on Challenges Before ‘Queen Lateefah’ Became a Blockbuster

Nigerian actress and filmmaker Wumi Toriola has opened up about the struggles she faced before the eventual success of her film, ‘Queen Lateefah’, which went on to become one of the highest-grossing Nigerian films of 2024, raking in a staggering ₦350 million at the box office.

In an interview with The Nation, Toriola revealed that the journey to making the film was filled with setbacks, delays, and moments of doubt.

“I would have shot Queen Lateefah four years ago, but it didn’t happen. I had hitchhiked with my story, and I wasn’t completely satisfied, so I kept rewriting it. I faced disappointments, but what I’ve learned is that whenever you come out, just come out well. The place of preparation was helpful for me,” she shared.

Success After Struggles

Despite the hurdles, Toriola’s patience and dedication eventually paid off, as Queen Lateefah became a massive box-office hit. The film’s success is a testament to the growing influence of Nollywood, proving that quality storytelling and perseverance can break boundaries in the industry.

With Queen Lateefah setting a high bar, Toriola admits there is now pressure to surpass her own record.

“It makes me feel great and at the same time gives me a lot of responsibility because one will want to get better. Beating that record is a lot of responsibility,” she stated.

Bigger Projects in 2025?

Looking ahead to 2025, Toriola hinted at even bigger projects and major collaborations, promising to deliver more groundbreaking work.

“We are expecting something huge—more collaborations, but in a big way,” she revealed.

Toriola’s Impact on Nollywood

With Queen Lateefah’s remarkable success, Toriola has solidified her status as one of Nollywood’s top filmmakers. Her journey is an inspiring story of resilience, proving that delays are not denials, and sometimes, the extra time spent perfecting a vision is what leads to greatness.

The big question now is: can Wumi Toriola top her own record? Fans and industry watchers are eagerly waiting to see what she delivers next! 🎬🔥