Nollywood isn’t all action and drama; every now and then, it also serves up heartfelt romantic comedies that reflect the unique dating culture in Nigeria.
We have carefully curated a list of movies—a mix of modern and classic hits—that explore everything from arranged romances to online matchmaking. Set in Lagos high-rises and small-town homes alike, each movie portrays Nigerian love with warmth and a sprinkle of social insight.
Here is a list of ten movies that capture the realities of dating in Nigeria:
1. Phone Swap (2012)
Director: Kunle Afolayan
Running time: 1h 57m
Genre: Romance
When a buttoned-down Lagos executive (Wale Ojo) and a free-spirited fashion designer (Nse Ikpe-Etim) literally trade smartphones after a fender-bender, their worlds collide in unexpected ways.
The two end up on each other’s flights and events, muddling through messages and dates meant for the other. What starts as a case of mixed-up technology blossoms into romance.
Afolayan’s Phone Swap uses the mobile-phone mixup to poke fun at cultural clashes in modern Nigeria, while showing that love can sometimes happen when you literally see the world through someone else’s screen.
2. The Wedding Party (2016)
Director: Kemi Adetiba
Running time: 1h 40m
Genre: Romance
In The Wedding Party, everything that can go wrong at a high-society Lagos wedding does. Dunni (played by Adesua Etomi-Wellington) wants a quiet, beautiful day. Dozie (played by Banky W) just wants to get through it.
But with warring mothers (played by Ireti Doyle and Sola Sobowale), a clingy ex, an overambitious planner, and secrets flying faster than champagne corks, the celebration tilts into a far cry from a dreamy wedding for the couple.
With colourful characters, crisp dialogue, and over-the-top moments, the film offers a perfect insider glimpse at the non-glamorous side of modern Nigerian weddings.
Watch Wedding Party on Netflix.
3. Isoken (2017)
Director: Jade Osiberu
Running time: 1h 38m
Genre: Romance
In Isoken, 34-year-old Isoken (Dakore Egbuson-Akande) seems to have it all—a successful career and a loving family in Lagos—except the right husband. Under intense pressure from her family to get marry r, she agrees to an arranged marriage with Kevin (Joseph Benjamin), a safe but colourless choice.
Then Isoken meets Kelly (Marc Rhys), a charismatic White man who ignites her passion. She finds herself falling for someone completely unexpected.
The film brilliantly mixes humour in questioning tradition while celebrating the idea that love can’t be forced, even in a society where family expectations are everything.
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4. The Royal Hibiscus Hotel (2017)
Director: Ishaya Bako
Running time: 1h 30m
Genre: Romance
Ope (Zainab Balogun) is a London-trained chef who abandons her fast life abroad to return home to her parents’ struggling hotel in Lagos. Hoping to blend Nigerian and Western cuisine to save the family business, she finds her plans complicated by a scheming sous-chef, a gossipy staff, and a proud father.
Adding spice to the mix, a handsome investor named Deji (Kenneth Okolie) keeps checking into the hotel.
The Royal Hibiscus Hotel is a crowd-pleasing romantic comedy in which viewers see Ope’s kitchen dreams and budding romance intersect. Director Ishaya Bako serves a beautiful meal of warmth and laughter as Ope learns to navigate family expectations.
Watch The Royal Hibiscus Hotel on Netflix.
5. Love is War (2019)
Director: Omoni Oboli
Running time: 1h 49 m
Genre: Drama
Omoni Oboli is both the director and star of this political comedy romance. Love is War offers Nigeria’s first elected female governor.
Oboli and RMD play a married couple who stumble into politics and, as a practical joke, challenge each other for their state’s governorship.
In no time, their playful rivalry turns fierce. Campaigns become mock battles of one-upmanship, revealing playful jabs from their marriage and proving that, in this contest, love—and ambition—is war.
Oboli’s twisty script keeps viewers guessing whether the couple’s union can survive the political mudslinging that ensues.
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6. Finding Hubby (2020)
Director: Femi Ogunsanwo
Running time: 1h 44m
Genre: Romance
In Finding Hubby, Oyin Clegg (Ade Laoye) has the job, the looks, and the lifestyle—but in Lagos, being in her 30s and unmarried is still a crisis. Between one-night flings, work drama, and a meddling mother, Oyin’s search for a husband spirals into chaos. Things get even messier when her ex turns rich and petty, her boss gets desperate, and her “perfect” fiancé turns out to be hiding a major secret.
Finding Hubby hilariously captures the exhausting pressure Nigerian women face to “secure a man” before 40. It’s a juicy exploration of dating politics, gender expectations, and the unexpected heartbreaks that come with chasing happily ever after.
Watch Finding Hubby on YouTube.
7. Namaste Wahala (2020)
Director: Hamisha Daryani Ahuja
Running time: 1h 46m
Genre: Romance
Promoted as Nollywood’s first true romance with Bollywood collaboration, this cross-cultural rom-com examines an Indian–Nigerian love affair. Didi (Ini Dima-Okojie) is a Lagos NGO lawyer; Raj (Ruslaan Mumtaz) is an Indian banker in Lagos.
Namaste Wahala follows the couple as they fall in love despite their different backgrounds and cultures. Didi’s conservative Nigerian parents expect a local suitor, and Raj’s traditional Indian mother resists the idea of a foreign daughter-in-law. Still, each eventually learns to bridge the gap.
Watch Namaste Wahala on Netflix.
8. Dinner at My Place (2022)
Director: Kevin Luther Apaa
Running time: 1h 43m
Genre: Romance
In Dinner At My place, everything that can go wrong with a proposal goes wrong. A Nigerian-American man (Timini Egbuson) plans to propose to his girlfriend (Uche Montana) over dinner with the $22,000 gold ring his mother left him. But to his surprise, things go awry when his ex (Sophie Alakija) shows up asking to sleep at his place.
Dinner At My Place shows viewers the outcome of a good production. From brilliant casting to the amazing delivery of the actors , the movie is a must watch romantic comedy.
Watch Dinner At My Place on Netflix.
9. Here Love Lies (2023)
Director: Tope Oshin
Running time: 2h 11m
Genre: Thriller
What looks like a modern love story takes a dark turn in this Netflix thriller. Amanda (Omowunmi Dada) is a Nigerian single mother and travel blogger who hasn’t had much luck with men. When she meets Michael (Tim Shelburne), an American, via social media, sparks fly at first sight. She takes a chance on a seemingly perfect man she meets online.
But after Amanda follows him to New York, unexpected secrets emerge. Here Love Lies is an unpredictable thriller set up as a cliché romantic comedy until a shocking twist upends everything.
Director Tope Oshin, who also co-stars, builds tension with slice-of-life dating scenes that quietly lead to a much darker finale, warning that sometimes “love” found online can hide dangerous lies.
Watch Here Love Lies on Netflix.
10. Love in a Pandemic (2023)
Director: Akay Mason
Running time: 1h 28m
Genre: Romance
Set against Nigeria’s COVID-19 lockdown, this romance film dramatises how two lonely people find each other in isolating times. Nancy Isime plays Bolanle, a Lagos customer-service agent working from home who connects over a call with Alex (Deyemi Okanlawon).
As the world closes off to shield itself from a virus, these two strangers find comfort in each other, opening their hearts to a love strong enough to conquer loneliness and despair.
Director Akay Mason weaves pandemic realities into the storyline, showing that even quarantine can’t keep true love from finding a way.
Watch Love in a Pandemic on Prime Video.
