Nollywood is the name of the Nigerian film industry. In this article, we look at the Nigerian actors and actresses who have entertained us over the last few decades.
Generally, these Nigerian actors and actresses are divided along ethnic lines based on the audience they reach. Yoruba Nollywood film stars are well-known in South West Nigeria.
List of Nigerian Actors and Actresses
Odunlade Adekola is undoubtedly the most well-known Yoruba actor in Nollywood.
He has been in a number of popular films, including Oyenusi, Alani Pamolekun, Omo Colonel, Taxi Driver, Adura, and many others.
In addition, he has garnered various prizes and distinctions in recent years, including the City People Prize for Best Actor and the African Magic Movie Award for Best Actor.
Femi Adebayo is another well-known Yoruba actor in Nollywood. He began his acting career in the popular film Owo Blast. Adebayo is the son of another great Nollywood actor known as Oga Bello, Adebayo Salami.
Femi Adebayo recently won the City People Movie Award for Best Actor in 2015, and some of his recent films include Ayitale, October 1, Anini, and many others.
Taiwo Hassan, also known as Ogogo, is another prominent Nollywood Yoruba actor. He’s an industry veteran with almost three decades of acting experience. Mr Hassan is a professional automobile mechanic with a 13-year acting career.
Saidi Balogun is another prominent Nollywood actor with a long acting career. In addition to his acting career, he has produced films that have received numerous firsts.
His film Modupe Temi was the first two-cast film in Africa, while his film Gbogbo Ere was the first three-cast film in West Africa. In addition, his film Third Party is Africa’s first Ankara film.
Aside from these great Yoruba Nollywood actors, there are also notable English Nollywood actors who have appeared in both local and international film scenes.
Ramsey Nouah, Pete Edochie, Olu Jacobs, Chiwetel Ejiofor, Yul Edochie, and many others are among them. Ramsey Nouah is a film industry legend in Nigeria.
Ramsey Nouah is a Nigerian actor who won the Africa Movie Academy Award for Best Actor in a Leading Role in 2010.
Ramsey has appeared in blockbusters and critically acclaimed films such as Reloaded, Figurine, Guilty Pleasures, 30 Days in Atlanta, Gbomo Gbomo Express, and 76.
Olu Jacobs is another iconic Nollywood personality. He has been in a number of British and foreign television programmes. He got the African Movie Academy Award for Best Actor in a Leading Role in 2007.
Chiwetel Ejiofor is a well-known international actor. He is a British actor with Nigerian ancestors. His performance in the film 12 Years a Slave earned him an Academy Award and a Golden Globe Award.
The following is a comprehensive list of notable and emerging Nigerian actors:
20+ Top Prominent Nigerian Actors
The following is a thorough list of Nigerian actors:
- Adebayo Salami
- Adewale Akinnuoye-Agbaje
- Ray Emodi
- Fred Leonard
- Afeez Oyetoro
- Ali Nuhu
- Ayo Makun
- Babatunde Omidina
- Chinedu Ikedieze
- Chinwetal Agu
- Chumammeka
- Clem Ohameze
- Dayo Okeniyi
- Harry B
- Don Brymo (RIP)
- Dele Odule
- Desmond Eliot
- Emeka Ossai
- Emeka Ike
- Femi Branch
- Fred Amata
- Gbenro Ajibade
- Hakeem Kae-Kazim
- Jide Kosoko
- Jim Iyke
- Jimoh Aliu
- John Boyega
- John Okafor
- Kola Oyewo
- Mike Ezuruonye
- Muyiwa Ademola
- Mr. Ibu
- Nkem Owoh
- Ukeje
- Okey Bakassi
- Olu Jacobs
- Osita Iheme
- Richard Mofe Damijo
- Saheed Balogun
- Saint Obi
- Shawn Faqua
- Sola Fosudo
- Tope Tedela
- Victor Oswagu
- Yemi Ajibade
- Yemi Shodimu
In addition, we have produced a list of women in the Nigerian film business, highlighting the most well-known:
Also Read Yoruba Actors: List of Best Actors in the Yoruba Industry
Names of Nollywood actors and actresses
1. Funke Akindele
Funke Akindele is currently the richest Yoruba actress and one of Nigeria’s most popular Nollywood actresses, known as Jenifa.
Because of her portrayal, she was named the best movie actress for a leading role in a film.
In addition to her sponsorship deals for millions of Naira, the actress’s popular TV show “Jenifa’s Diary” has brought her a lot of recognition and riches.
Funke’s major break came in 2009 when she starred in the film Jenifa. FunkeAkindele has appeared in over 100 films as an actor, writer, and producer.
2. Mercy Johnson
Mercy Johnson-Okojie was born in Lagos to Mr. Daniel Johnson (a retired naval officer) and Mrs. Elizabeth Johnson.
She is from Okene in Kogi State. Her family consists of seven children, with her being the fourth. She is a brilliant actress who takes on unique parts in films. Mercy Johnson’s career has catapulted her to celebrity and money.
Mercy has three children with her husband, Prince OdianosenOkojie. She auditioned for a role in The Maid, a film that would catapult her to celebrity just after finishing high school.
Her performance in the film paved the path for her to acquire more roles in subsequent mothers. Hustlers, Baby Oku in America, War in the Palace, and many other films have included her.
Throughout her acting career, she has received numerous honours and awards.
3. Tonto Dike
Tonto Wigo Charity Dikeh, often known as Tonto Dikeh, is a Rivers state native from Ikwerre, a subset of the Igbo tribe.
She is a philanthropist, musician, and actress from Nigeria. She appeared in the film “Dirty Secret,” which created outrage among Nigerians because it contained multiple explicit scenes, which were unusual and unaccepted in the Nigerian film industry at the time.
Tonto Dikeh dabbles in music after starring in multiple films. She made her breakthrough with hits like ‘Hi’ and ‘Itz Ova’ featuring Snypa.
The date was June 13, 2014. Tonto Dikeh debuted under the LEE family of D’banj’s record label, DB Records.
However, she announced her resignation from DB Records in March 2015. Missing Rib, Games Fools Play, A Night With The King, Zara, and others are among her significant films.
4. Mercy Aigbe
On January 1st, 1978, Mercy Aigbe was born in the state of Edo. She is an actress, director, and businesswoman from Nigeria. The Yoruba genre is well-known for her.
In 2001, she graduated with a degree in theatre arts from the University of Lagos, and in 2006, she started working in the field full-time. In 2016, she established the “Mercy Aigbe Gentry School of Drama”.
Satanic, Afefe Ife, Okanjua, Atunida Leyi, Igberaga, Ihamo, pèsè, Irófunfun, Mafisere, Ojuiife, Omoge Osas, Ile Oko Mii, Victims, The Screenplay, Little Drops of Happy, 200 Million, Second Acts, and other films have included her.
Other well-known Nollywood actresses include:
- Stephanie Okereke
- Bimbo Oshin
- BisiKomolafe
- Bukky Wright
- Carmen Ejogo
- Carol King
- Chika Ike
- Chioma Chukwuka
- Chioma Okoye
- Genevieve Nnaji
- Hadiza Gabon
- Helen Paul
- Idowu Philips
- Ini Edo
- Iyabo Ojo
- Kate Henshaw
- Kehinde Bankole
- Kiki Omeili
- Liz Benson
- Lola Margaret
- Mary Uranta
- Megalyn Echikunwoke
- Moji Olaiya
- Monalisa Chinda
- Muma Gee
- Nafisa Abdullahi
- Nikki Amuka-Bird
- Nse Ikpe Etim
- Oge Okoye
- Omotola Jalade Ekeinde
- Osas Ighodaro
- Patience Ozokwor
- Racheal Oniga
- Rahama Sadau
- Regina Askia
- Rita Dominic
- Shan George
- Stephanie Okereke
- Taiwo Ajai Lycett
- Tamara Eteimo
- Toni Tones
Conclusion
There you have it, the List of Nigerian Actors and Actresses’ names and profiles, with some profiles not highlighted.
Nollywood does, in fact, have a plethora of great Nigerian actors and actresses who are setting the pace and elevating the business to international standards.
If you think we didn’t include your favourite Nigerian actors and actresses, kindly state them in the comment section.