Daniel Etim-Effiong, Nollywood actor and filmmaker, has made a remarkable entry into film directing, as his debut feature, The Herd, grossed N30.1 million in its opening weekend at the Nigerian box office.
According to data from the Nigerian Box Office, the crime thriller recorded N28.8 million between October 17 and 19, 2025, and a cumulative N30.1 million in its first week of release. This makes it one of the strongest debuts for a Nollywood title in the second half of 2025, solidifying Etim-Effiong’s transition from in front of the camera to behind it.
The Herd, co-produced by FilmOne Studios, ToriTori Films, Serendipity HHC, and Airscape, is a stirring exploration of love, family, and generational change set in South West Nigeria. It combines elements of crime and psychological drama, offering audiences a layered story that reflects the evolving themes of modern Nigerian cinema.
The Herd generated significant industry buzz through a series of high-profile promotional events before it’s nationwide release. These included an exclusive dinner hosted in collaboration with Filmhouse Group, That Good Media, Nigerian International Film Summit (NIFS), and Legend Hotel. The red-carpet Lagos premiere drew prominent Nollywood personalities such as Adesua Etomi-Wellington, Linda Ejiofor-Suleiman, Kate Henshaw, Kunle Remi, and Ebuka Obi-Uchendu, alongside producers, distributors, and cultural tastemakers.
