Ibrahim “Itele D Icon” Yekini’s film Koleoso, a Yoruba fantasy-thriller series, has set a new YouTube record after becoming the first Nollywood and African movie to surpass 100 million views on the platform as a single title.
PREMIUM TIMES reported that the first instalment of the film series, now extended to ten parts, was released on 8 May 2025.
This newspaper reviewed eight parts of the movie, from part one through to part eight. Part one recorded over eight million views, part two over nine million, and part three more than eight million. Parts four and five each surpassed ten million views.
Meanwhile, parts six, seven, eight, and nine all exceeded 11 million views, while part ten attracted over 9 million.
The storyline centres on a family that deploys dark magic rooted in Yoruba traditions to dominate others, triggering intense confrontations, particularly with a character known as Jaweshoro.
History
Yekini, 46, announced the milestone on his Instagram page on Thursday, attributing the achievement to hard work, consistency and creativity from day one.
He wrote: “History, record, legacy. Koleoso hits 100 million+ total views. 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. Hard work. Consistency. Creativity. From day zero, we won this.
“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. I am proud of myself, proud of my team, proud of my family. This is a strong fan base. My Koleoso family, my legends, you made this happen.”
Appreciation
Furthermore, the actor expressed his appreciation to the film’s cast and crew, stating that the award belonged to them.
This newspaper earlier reported that the movie featured the likes of Fatai Odua, Oluwakemi Apesin, Afeez Abiodun, Jimmy Roland, Yetunde Barnabas, Saliu Gbolagade, Babatunde Bernard, Alo Oluwatosin and Akinfolarin Olamide, among others.
Itele D Icon also described the honour as a victory for Nollywood and Africa at large, adding that it represented a significant win for the culture.
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“A win for the Yorubas. A win for Nigeria. This hits differently; thus, it is loud. This is magical, this is unbelievable, this is golden.”
Meanwhile, the achievement drew praise from colleagues, including Jumoke Odetola, Muyiwa Ademola, Oluwakemi and Tawa Mustapha, among others.
Congratulations
The actors congratulated Itele D Icon on the feat, with Odetola describing the win as a victory for the entire industry, particularly the Yoruba film sector.
“At a time when people often say, “I don’t watch Yoruba movies.” Some even say, “I don’t watch Nigerian movies.” Koleoso has broken records and set a landmark. 1OO million views.
“When something remarkable like this happens, it may look easy, but we know it’s nothing short of grace, hard work, consistency, relentlessness and above all, God’s blessings. Congratulations and thank you, Giteledicon0O1. This is a win for the culture”, she wrote on her Instagram page.
While congratulating the actor, Ademola wrote on his Instagram page, “Make I come book class o Yekeen, I no too old to learn (Let me come and book a class, Yekeen. I’m not too old to learn.”
