The Story⚡
From the TV studio to the big screen, Nancy Isime has built her career one bold step at a time. Now she moves behind the camera as executive producer of her first feature, Loving Itohan.
Tell Me More
Loving Itohan opens in cinemas nationwide on November 6, 2026, and it follows a woman whose understanding of love, loyalty, and her past begins to shift as hidden truths come to light. Here are seven things to know before you buy your ticket.
Nancy Isime Steps Into the Producer’s Chair
After more than a decade in front of the camera, Nancy Isime takes on dual roles. She stars as Itohan and also serves as executive producer. The project marks her formal step into shaping a story from development through release, giving her a stronger hand in how the emotional core of the film is handled.
A Story About Second Chances
At its core, the film is a romantic drama about the question of second chances. Itohan is a woman caught in a maze of emotional conflict and hidden truths, forced to re-examine what she believed about love, loyalty, and her past relationships. The premise of a childhood love story gives the film a sense of history, so the romance is not only about the present but about what was left unfinished years ago.
The Creative Team Behind the Camera
Loving Itohan was made by Greoh Studios and NIP Studios and is distributed by FilmOne Entertainment. The story was written by Orobosa Ikponmwen, who is also credited as a director. The film is produced by Emmanuel Izuoba, and the lead team also contributed to the production. Greoh Studios is led by Jade Osiberu, whose company’s involvement gives the project its production backbone.
Jadesola Osiberu and Greoh Studios Step into Collaboration
Jadesola Osiberu has built Greoh Studios largely through projects she has driven herself, including Brotherhood and Gangs of Lagos. Loving Itohan marks a clear shift. For the first time, Greoh Studios is partnering with NIP Studios on a feature, with Nancy Isime serving as executive producer and the public face of the project. The collaboration brings Osiberu’s production experience into a film led by a different creative voice while still carrying the Greoh name.
Edo Tradition at the Centre of the Frame
The trailer leans heavily on traditional Edo costuming. Isime appears in a red traditional outfit with an Okuku coral bead crown and veil, while Arukwe is seen in a gold brocade outfit. Coral beads carry deep cultural meaning in Edo royal and wedding traditions, so the look is more than decoration; it places the story firmly within a specific heritage. Isime herself is from Edo State, which gives the film an authentic connection to the setting.
The Lead Cast: Nancy Isime and Obehi Aburime
Nancy Isime leads the film alongside Obehi Aburime, who makes his debut as a lead in cinemas with Loving Itohan. Stepping into a leading role on the big screen for the first time is a significant moment for any actor, and the film gives him that opportunity opposite one of Nollywood’s most recognisable names. Around them, Uzor Arukwe, Martha Ehinome Orhiere, Oberry Hovah, Dorothy Bachor, Chioma Nwosu and Grace Dein Coker fill out the supporting cast.
Poster and Key Cast Members
Where It Fits in November’s Cinema Calendar
Arriving in early November, the film sits among other Nollywood titles competing for attention at the end of the year. Its emphasis on a second look at love, the weight of the past, and the cost of silence gives it a quieter, more reflective tone than pure spectacle, which may appeal to audiences seeking character-driven stories.
In Summary
Romance titles have delivered some of the stronger commercial results in Nollywood. Love and New Notes opened to ₦106 million over its Valentine’s weekend, and eventually grossed ₦328 million. Call of My Life opened to ₦76 million in May, then built steadily over several months to ₦901.2 million. Isoken (2017) grossed ₦93.63 million.
Drawing from these performances, Loving Itohan could open to between ₦50 million and ₦80 million on its first weekend. Over its first month, the film could gross between ₦150 million and ₦250 million. A strong word of mouth and several weeks on screen could push it toward ₦400 million, matching Love and New Notes. Three things support this outlook: Nancy Isime’s leading role and executive producer credit, her pairing with Uzor Arukwe, and a release ahead of the December holiday season.
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