The Nigerian film industry which is popular as Nollywood has come a long way since it started in the 1990s even though it was until the 200s that the name of Nollywood was coined. The evolution of the industry has been thanks to many great actors and Nollywood actresses who have kept and continued to keep fans thrilled.
Nollywood is now the biggest film industry in Africa and one of the biggest in the world in terms of the number of films produced. It is reported that each month, as many as 200 films are produced in the industry. This means that each year it produces more than 2400 films which dwarf the films produced by Hollywood which has produced a maximum number of over 870 films in 2018, which was the most films it produced in a year since 2000.
With this, it means that some of the best of Nollywood actresses have featured in hundreds of films, and have contributed significantly to the growth of the industry. We take a look at some of the best actresses in the industry.
The Greatest Nollywood Actresses Of All Time
1. Joke Silva
- Full name: Joke Silva Jacobs
- Date of birth:
- Career: Early 1990s to date
- Spouse: Olu Jacobs
- Popular works: A Past Came Calling (2004), White Waters (2008)
- Awards: “Best Actress in a Leading Role” – 2nd Africa Movie Academy Awards
Joke Silva is arguably the greatest actress in Nollywood. Not only has she sustained in the industry for a very long time, she always delivers no matter the role you throw at her. More so, she has done everything from theatre to film and even TV. Together with her husband, Olu Jacobs, the pair are among the power couples of Nollywood.
Born on 29 September 1961, Silva started acting in the early 1990s although it was towards the end of the 1990s that she became famous. Also a director and businesswoman, she has appeared in more than a hundred films and TV shows have been in the industry for more than three decades.
City People Movie Lifetime Achievement Award, She has won many awards including the African Movie Awards, and the SOLIDRA Award among others. She is also a recipient of the Order of the Federal Republic (OFR) merit award from the Nigerian Federal government.
2. Genevieve Nnaji
- Full name: Genevieve Nnaji
- Date of birth: 3 May 1979
- Career: 1987 to date
- Popular film: Lionheart, Most Wanted, Half of a Yellow Sun
- Awards: Africa Movie Academy Awards, Best of Nollywood Awards, Zulu African Film Academy Awards, Ghana Movie Awards, Black Reel Awards
As far as Nollywood is concerned the only person that stands on the same stage as Joke Silva is Genevieve Nnaji. Considered by many to be the greatest of Nollywood actresses, Nnaji has neem in the movie business since she made her debut in 1987 when she was only 8 years old. Also a movie producer, director, and businesswoman, she became a household name in the country in the early 2000s.
Born on 3 May 1979, the University of Lagos graduate has appeared in more than 200 films many of which became great successes. After she was banned from the Nigerian movie scene in the 2000s, she tried her luck with music but that did not turn out well for her, forcing her to return to her first love.
Considered Nigeria’s Sharon Stone, the legendary actress was referred to as Africa’s Julia Roberts by Oprah Winfrey. She has appeared in films such as Ripples (1987), Most Wanted (1998), Road to Yesterday (2015), and Lionheart (2018). Her film, Lionheart was later bought by Netflix and it became the first Nigerian film to be bought by the streaming service. A recipient of the Order of the Federal Republic by the Nigerian government, she has won many awards including the Black Reel Awards, African Movie Academy Awards, Africa Magic Viewers Choice Awards, and Nigeria Entertainment Awards among many others.
3. Omotola Jalade
- Full name: Omotola Jalade Ekeinde
- Date of birth: 7 February 1978
- Career: Early 1995 to date
- Spouse: Capt. Matthew Ekeinde
- Popular films: Blood Sister (2003), Ijé (2010), Last Flight to Abuja (2012), Alter Ego (2017)
- Awards: Africa Movie Academy Awards (AMAA), Ghana Movie Awards
Very close to Nnaji is Omotola Jalade Ekeinde who many consider being her archrival. A graduate of Obafemi Awolowo University, Omosexy, as she is often referred to as has been in the Nigerian film industry since 1995 when she appeared in Venom of Justice. The first African celebrity to reach a million likes on her Facebook Page, she has earned the respect and love of many in Nigeria and beyond thanks to her unwavering talent.
Omotola was born on 7 February 1978 in Lagos State, Nigeria. Since she made her debut as an actress, she has come to appear in close to 300 films making her one of the most featured faces in Nollywood. The actress has also ventured into music in 2005. She recorded a little success with her sing, Naija Lowa. She also got into the reality show scene in 2021 with her show, Omotola: The Real Me.
Among her most popular works are Mortal Inheritance (1997), Blood Sisters (2003), Ije: The Journey (2010), A Private Storm (2010), and Last Flight to Abuja (2012). Also a recipient of the Order of the Federal Republic, Omotola has won many awards in her acting career including the following: Africa Movie Academy Awards (AMAA), Ghana Movie Awards, Toronto International Nollywood Film Festival, and Golden Icons Academy Movie Awards.
4. Rita Dominic
- Full name: Rita Uchenna Nkem Dominic Nwaturuocha
- Date of birth: 12 July 1975
- Career: 1998
- Spouse: NA
- Popular works: White Waters (2007), Girls Cot (2006), Shattered (2011), The Meeting (2012), Finding Mercy (2013)
- Awards: Nollywood Week Paris Film Festival, Africa International Film Festival, Africa Movie Academy Awards
The name of Rita Dominic is never new to anyone who has had the chance to follow Nollywood. The actress has emerged as one of the very best in Nollywood which is the reason why she has sustained for a very long time. The ageless star was born in 1975 and she started her career in 1998 when she was still in school.
With more than 2 decades in the industry, Rita is among the Nollywood stars that have appeared in more than 100 films. The Theatre Arts graduate from the University of Port Harcourt made her acting debut in the 1998 film, A Time to Kill. Since then, she has appeared in other works including Face of a Liar (1999), The Intruder (2003), Last Wedding (2004), White Waters (2008), ’76 (2016), and La Femme Anjola (2021).
Also a director and producer, Rita Dominic has won many awards including the following City Peoples Awards, Best of Nollywood Awards, Nigeria Entertainment Awards, and Golden Icons Academy Movie Awards among others.
5. Patience Ozokwor
- Full name: Patience Ozokwor
- Date of birth: 14 September 1958
- Career: 1999 till date
- Spouse: Deceased
- Popular films: Chief Daddy (2018), Alice My First Lady (2006), Authority (1999)
- Awards: Africa Movie Academy Awards
Famous as Mama G, Patience Ozokwor is among the legends in the industry. She started her acting career in 1999 and because of her amazing talent, many have come to associate her personality to the roles of the wicked wife, mother-in-law, and woman that she has always acted.
Before she started acting on screen, Patience Ozokwor was into radio drama before she later joined the Nigerian Television Authority (NTA) TV show, Someone Cares. Some of the films she appeared in are Blood Sister (2003), Chief Daddy (2018), The Wedding Party 2: Destination Dubai (2017), Bad Comments (2020), and Billionaires Club (2003).
She was recognized with a Centenary Award in 2014 by the Nigerian Government and for her acting career, she has won numerous awards including an Africa Movie Academy Awards.
6. Mercy Johnson
- Full name: Mercy Johnson Okojie (Mercy Johnson Ozioma)
- Date of birth: August 28, 1984
- Career: 2004 to date
- Spouse: Prince Odianosen Okojie (m. 2011)
- Popular films: 30 Days in Atlanta (2015), Hustlers (2013), and Corporate Maid (2008
- Awards: Eloy Awards, Nollywood Movies Awards,
Mercy Johnson is not only one of the most talented actresses in Nigeria, she is also one of the most versatile. She has taken roles as a woman from the slum, village, city, wealthy woman, schoolgirl, and old woman and has delivered in all as perfectly as one would expect of a talented actress. She started her career in 2004 even though she seems to have been in Nollywood for always.
Born in 1984 in Lagos, Mercy Johnson’s career started with The Maid and Into Temptation. She came to play roles in other works including Married to the Enemy (2006), Temple of Justice (2008), Guilty Pleasure (2008), 30 Days in Atlanta (2015), Hustlers (2013), and Corportae Maid (2008) among many others. She has appeared in more than a hundred films.
One of the most loved Nollywood actresses, she has won many awards for her talent including the Africa Magic Viewers Choice Awards, Nollywood Movies Awards, Best of Nollywood Awards, and Africa Movie Academy Awards.
7. Ngozi Ezeonu
- Full name: Ngozi Ezeonu (Ngozi Ikpelue)
- Date of birth: May 23, 1965
- Career: Early 1990s to date
- Spouse: Edwin Ezeonu
- Popular film: Adesuwa (2012)
- Awards: Africa Movie Academy Award.
Ngozi Ezeonu is among the Nollywood actresses that have attained legendary status. Born in 1965, she has been around since the 1990s and has more than 150 films and TV shows to her name. Among those that have been around since the golden ages of Nollywood, she initially started her career as a journalist before she transitioned into acting.
Known for always playing the role of a mother, she has made appearances in works such as Glamour Girls (1994), Nneka The Pretty Serpent (1994), Occultic Kingdom (2005), Adesuwa (2011), Run Away From Love (2019), and If Trouble Comes (2019). In the process, she has also won numerous awards including an Africa Movie Academy Award.
8. Chioma Chukwuka
- Full name: Chioma Chukwuka Akpotha
- Date of birth: 12 March 1980
- Career: 2000
- Spouse: Franklin Akpotha (m. 2006)
- Popular films: Wives on Strike (2018)
- Awards: Africa Movie Academy Award
Chioma Chukwuka made her debut as an actress in 2000 when he got her first role in the film The Apple. Gradually, she climbed the ladder of greatness in the Nigerian film industry with films such as Years of Tears (2005), Sins of The Flesh (2005), Games Men Play (2006), Warrior Sisters (2014), On Bended Knees (2013), Accident (2014), and Wives on Strike (2018).
Born in 1980 in Lagos, Chioma Chukuwka has transitioned from being an actress to also becoming a director and producer. Among the films she produced is On Bended Knees. With many accolades to her name, Chioma has won several awards including Africa Movie Academy Award and the Afro Hollywood award.
9. Funke Akindele
- Full name: Akindele-Bello Olufunke Ayotunde
- Date of birth: 24 August 1976
- Career: 1998 to date
- Spouse: JJC (m. 2016), Kehinde Oloyede (m. 2012–2013)
- Popular Work: Jenifa’s Diary
- Awards: Africa Magic Viewers Choice Awards
When it comes to comedy, there are hardly many Nollywood actresses that come close to Funke Akindele. The actress started her career in 1998 and has since carved a niche for herself on TV and films. She has also made so many exploits in the Yoruba film industry.
Funke was born on August 24, 1976, in Ikorodu, Lagos State, Nigeria. A graduate of the University of Lagos, she has appeared in many films and TV shows including her own show Jenifa’s Diary which became one of the best comedy TV shows in Nigeria in 2016 and 2017. She has also appeared in other works including Miami and The Return of Jenifa (2012), A Trip to Jamaica (2017), and Moms At War (2020).
Funke Akindele has won many awards in her career including the Africa Movie Academy Award, Zulu African Film Academy Awards, and Africa Entertainment Legend Awards.
10. Kate Henshaw
- Full name: Kate Henshaw-Nuttall
- Date of birth: 19 July 1971
- Career: 1993 to date
- Spouse: Rod Nuttal (m. 2000)
- Popular film: Stronger than Pain
- Awards: Africa Movie Academy Award
Born in 1971, Kate Henshaw is among the actresses that have shaped Nollywood since the 2000s. The award-winning star started her career in the 1990s, but it was in the 200s that she got all the attention she truly deserved. Although she has joined politics at different points, her true calling has always been acting. A graduate of Medical Lab Science from the Lagos University Teaching Hospital, she worked in Bauchi State as a health worker before she started her career as an actress.
With close to a hundred films to her credit, some of the popular works of Henshaw are A Million Tears (2006) My Little Secret (2006) Stronger Than Pain (2007) The Ghost and the House of Truth (2019), 4th Republic (2019) and The Women (2018) among many others. She has also won many awards including Africa Movie Academy Award and City People Movie Special Recognition Award.
11. Uche Jombo
- Full name: Uche Jombo
- Date of birth: 28 December 1979
- Career: late 1990s to date
- Spouse: Kenney Rodriguez (former husband)
- Popular films: Silent Scandals (2009), Keep My Will (2007), Banana Island Ghost (2017)
- Awards: AfroHollywood Awards -the UK, Best of Nollywood Awards, Africa International Film Festival
Uche Jombo did not come to Nollywood as early as some of the actresses on the list, but her contributions are also massive. More than a talented actress, she is also a screenwriter and film producer. She started her career in the late 1990s and over 2 decades later, she has appeared in close to a hundred works.
Born in 1979, the University of Calabar Graduate has many films to her credit both as an actress and a writer and producer. Her first movie is believed to be the 1999 film, Visa to Hell. Her other popular works include Endless Lies (2005), My Sister My Love (2006), Beyonce & Rihanna (2008), and Heaven On My Mind (2018). She has won many awards including the City People Entertainment Awards, Best of Nollywood Awards, and Golden Icons Academy Movie Awards.
12. Sola Sobowale
- Full name: Sola Sobowale
- Date of birth: 26 December 1963
- Career: 1992 to date
- Spouse: Oludotun Sobowale
- Popular film: King Of Boys
- Awards: African Movie Academy Awards (AMAA)
The King Of Boys actress has become one of the most recognized actresses in Nollywood of late. A veteran in the arts, she was born in 1963 and started her career in the early 1990s. In 2001, she appeared in the TV series, Super Story, Oh Father, Oh Daughter, marking the start of her real fame. Celebrated for her versatility, she has taken different roles including comedy, all of which she has delivered greatly. Apart from Nollywood, Sobowale has also left her footprints in the Yoruba movie scene.
Among the films, she has appeared in are Diamond Ring (1998), Dangerous Twins (2004), The Wedding Party (2016), King of Boys (2018), The Men’s Club (2018 – 2020), and King of Boys: The Return of the King (2021). Apart from being an actress, the AMAA winning star is also a screenwriter, director, and producer.
13. Ini Edo
- Full name: Iniobong Edo Ekim
- Date of birth: 23 April 1982
- Career: 2000 to date
- Spouse: Philip Ehiagwina (m. 2008–2014)
- Popular film: Weekend Getaway (2013), While you slept (2018)
- Awards: ZAFAA Global Awards, Golden Icons Academy Movie Awards, Cross River Movie Award
Iniobong Edo Ekim is one of the most consistent Nollywood actresses. Born in 1982, she started her career as an actress in 2000 and has since remained one of the most consistent and talented in the industry with more than 100 films to her name. She got her break in 2004 when she appeared in World Apart. Since then she has featured in works such as Ultimate Crisis (2005), Ultimate Billionaire (2005), Girls Cot (2006), Weekend Getaway (2013), and While you slept (2018).
The English Language graduate from the University of Calabar has won many awards in her career thus far including the Best of Nollywood Awards, Zulu African Film Academy Awards, and Ghana Movie Awards among others.
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14. Stephanie Okereke
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Yg2d3-eZ0hk
- Full name: Stephanie Okereke Linus (Stephanie Onyekachi Okereke)
- Date of birth: 2 October 1982
- Career: 1997
- Spouse: Linus Idahosa
- Popular films: Dry, Through the Glass, Boonville Redemption
- Awards: Reel Awards, Afro Hollywood Award, ZAFAA Global Awards
Considered to be one of the most beautiful and highly talented actresses in Nollywood, she gained popularity for her action roles and is seen as one of the best women in the industry when it comes to action films. She started her career in 1997 when she appeared in the films Compromise 2 and then Waterloo. Subsequently, she appeared in close to 100 other movies including Blind Justice (2002), Critical Decision (2004), Working Class Lady (2004), A Time to Die (2005), Mission to Nowhere (2008), and Boonville Redemption (2016).
Born in 1982, she graduated from the University of Calabar where she studied English and Literary Studies. She also won many awards including the Africa Movie Academy Awards, Africa Magic Viewers Choice Awards, Afro-Dublin Awards, and Montage Africa Women of Excellence Awards.
15. Tonto Dikeh
- Full name: Tonto Charity Dikeh
- Date of birth: 9 June 1985
- Career: 2006 to date
- Spouse: Olakunle Churchill (m. 2015–2017)
- Popular film: Missing Rib; Games Fools Play
- Awards: ELOY Awards.
There was a time in Nollywood when a film is not yet complete without the face of Tonto Dikeh. While she may be one of the best in her arts, she is also one of the most controversial Nollywood actresses. Born on 9 June 1985, Tonto Dikeh started her acting career in 2006. In that year she appeared in films such as Tea or Coffee and Pounds and Dollars. In the next couple of years, she became one of the most sought-after actresses in the industry.
The Rivers State University of Science and Technology graduate delved into music in 2011 but she did not record much success. Among her most famous films are Crisis in Paradise (2007), Total Love (2008), Blackberry Babes Re-loaded (2012), and Battle of the Queens (2014).
16. Liz Benson
- Full name: Elizabeth ‘Liz’ Benson
- Date of birth: 5 April 1966
- Career: 1993 to date
- Spouse: Bishop Great Emeya
- Popular film: Glamour Girls (1994), Day of Atonement (2005), Political Control (2006)
- Awards: Africa Movie Academy Awards, Nigeria Entertainment Awards
Liz Benson may no longer be as popular as she used to be in Nollywood, but there is no denying the fact that she is one of the greatest to have ever stepped her foot in the Nigerian film industry. A graduate of Dramatic Arts from the Sylvania State College in the United States, she has been acting since she was 5 years old. However, her professional career really got its start in 1993 when she appeared in the TV show, Fortunes. Her breakout role was in one of the most successful films of the Nigerian industry in its earliest days, Glamour Girls. She stopped acting in 1996 but returned after a short while.
Born on 5 April 1966, Liz Benson has appeared in many films including her latest work, Still Falling in 2021. Among her most famous works apart from Glamour Girls are True Confession (1995), Scores to Settle (1998), World Apart (2004), Women in Power (2005), and Children of Mud (2017). She has won numerous awards in her career including the City People’s Entertainment Awards, Africa Magic Viewers Choice Awards, and Best of Nollywood Awards.
