History Made: Itele’s Koleoso Hits 100 Million Views, First African Movie To Achieve The Feat
OpenLife Nigeria reports that Nollywood star Ibrahim Yekini, popularly known as Itele D’Icon, has reached an extraordinary milestone with his movie Koleoso.
The film has now surpassed 100 million total views on YouTube, making it the first Nollywood title and the first African movie title released as a single story to ever reach this achievement.
Sharing his excitement on Instagram, Itele wrote:
“HISTORY. RECORD. LEGACY.
KOLEOSO HITS 100MILLION + VIEWS
In total.
Officially, the FIRST Nollywood title
and the FIRST African movie title
to hit this milestone on YouTube as ONE TITLE.
Yes—ONE TITLE. ONE
STORY. ONE MOVEMENT.”
He credited hard work, creativity, and consistency for the success: “Hard work. Consistency.
Creativity. From day zero, we won this.” Itele also called for recognition: “Let this be known that I, Ibrahim Yekini Bakare (Iteledicon), am the FIRST to pull this stunt in the history of Nollywood. Do not deny me my flower.”
He praised his supporters, saying he was “proud of myself, proud of my team, proud of my family”, and acknowledged his fanbase as “strong” and “legendary”. He framed the achievement as a win for Nollywood, Africa, culture, Yorubas, and Nigeria. “Numbers don’t lie,” he concluded.
OTHER RECENT YOUTUBE & CAREER WINS
KOLEOSO TOPS NIGERIA’S MOST SEARCHED LIST (2025)
Koleoso became one of Nigeria’s most searched films in 2025, outperforming other domestic and international titles in Google search trends.
YOUTUBE CREATOR RANKING
Itele, thanks to Koleoso, was ranked among;
Nigeria’s Top 10 YouTube creators in late 2025, highlighting his digital influence beyond traditional Nollywood cinema.
IBRRAHIM YEKINI (ITELE): DETAILED BIOGRAPHY
EARLY LIFE & ORIGIN
Full Name: Ibrahim Yekini Bakare
Stage Name: Itele / Itele D’Icon
Birth Date: January 1, 1980 (46 years old)
Origin: Bariga, Lagos State, Nigeria
Ethnicity: Yoruba
Nationality: Nigerian
He grew up in Lagos, working various jobs before entering Nollywood. Early in life, he also trained as a boxer but eventually focused on acting and filmmaking.
FAMILY & PERSONAL LIFE
Itele is married to Olayiwola Aminat Omowunmi since June 2016, and they have children together, including daughters Ameerat (2018) and another child born in 2022.
CAREER & FILMOGRAPHY
Itele rose to fame in Yoruba Nollywood and has acted, produced, and written multiple movies. Notable
works include:
Return of Kesari (2019) – Writer/Producer/Director
Lucifer – Award-winning role
Omo Ghetto: The Saga (2020)
Jagun Jagun (2023)
Dolapo Douglas (2024)
Lisabi (2024)
Koleoso (2025/2026)
Record-breaking YouTube achievement
AWARDS & RECOGNITION
Best Actor in a Lead Role, Best of Nollywood Awards Lucifer (2020)
City People Entertainment Awards Producer of the Year (2019)
Africa Magic Viewers’ Choice Awards (AMVCA) – Best Supporting Actor
Nominee for Jagun Jagun (2024)
ABOUT THE MOVIE “KOLEOSO”: A CINEMATIC PHENOMENON WITH CULTURAL IMPACT
Koleoso is a landmark Nollywood film that tells a gripping story of ambition, betrayal, and resilience set within the context of contemporary Nigerian society. The movie centers on the life of Koleoso, a determined young man navigating the challenges of poverty, corruption, and societal expectations while striving to achieve his dreams. Through his journey, the film explores themes of family loyalty, moral integrity, justice, and the consequences of one’s choices.
Beyond its entertaining storyline, Koleoso tackles pressing societal issues in Nigeria, such as youth unemployment, the struggle for social mobility, and the tension between traditional values and modern aspirations. By portraying these realities, the film resonates deeply with audiences, sparking discussions about ethics, ambition, and cultural identity.
The movie’s impact goes beyond the screen, as it has inspired viewers to reflect on their own lives, social responsibilities, and the importance of community.
Its popularity has also highlighted the global reach of Nollywood, demonstrating that African stories rooted in local culture can attract millions of viewers worldwide.
With over 100 million views on YouTube, Koleoso has not only achieved commercial success but has also become a cultural touchstone, showcasing the power of storytelling to entertain, educate, and influence societal perspectives. The film stands as a milestone for Nollywood, setting a benchmark for future productions in terms of quality, relevance, and impact.
With Koleoso surpassing 100 million YouTube views, Itele has solidified his place in Nollywood history. This achievement blends traditional cinematic success with modern digital influence, marking a milestone for Nollywood, African cinema, and global audiences.
Itele’s journey with Koleoso is more than just numbers on YouTube; it is a celebration of vision, dedication, and cultural impact.
From humble beginnings in Lagos to breaking continental records, Ibrahim Yekini has shown that Nigerian storytelling can resonate globally. Koleoso’s 100 million views mark a milestone not just for him, but for Nollywood, African cinema, and fans who champion authentic stories.
This is a testament that hard work, creativity, and passion can transform dreams into history and Itele has firmly etched his name in that legacy.
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