List of Nollywood Actors and Actresses

Nollywood is the name for the Nigerian film industry. In this article, we take a look at the actors and actresses in this industry that have entertained us in the last couple of decades.

list of nollywood actors and actresses

Generally, these actors and actresses are divided along ethnics based on the audience they reach out. In South West Nigeria, the Yoruba Nollywood film stars are quite prominent. Some of the popular actors in this section include:

List of Nollywood Actors and Actresses

Odunlade Adekola is arguably the most popular Nollywood actor in the Yoruba genre. He has acted in many popular movies, some of which include Oyenusi, Alani Pamolekun, Omo Colonel, Taxi Driver, Adura and many more.

Also, he has received several awards and accolades such as the City People Awards for the Best Actor and the African Magic Movie Award for Best Actor in the last few years.

Femi Adebayo is another popular Nollywood actor in the Yoruba genre. He began his acting career when he starred in the hit Owo blow. Adebayo is the son of Adebayo Salami, another legendary Nollywood actor otherwise known as Oga Bello.

Femi Adebayo recently won the City People Movie Award for Best Actor in 2015 ans some of the popular movies he’s featured in include: Ayitale, October 1, Anini and many more.

Taiwo Hassan popularly called Ogogo is another people’s favourite in the Nollywood Yoruba genre. He’s a veteran in the industry with acting span of over 3 decades. Mr Hassan is a trained automobile mechanic with an acting career which has spanned over 13 years.

Saidi Balogun is another veteran Nollywood actor with many years of acting experience. Aparting from his acting career, he has gone on to produce movies that have scored many firsts. His movie, Modupe Temi was the first two cast movie in Africa and the movie Gbogbo Ere is the first three cast movies in West Africa. Also, his movie Third Party is the first Ankara movie in Africa.

Apart from these popular Nollywood actors in the Yoruba genre, there are some prominent ones in the English genre that have featured in both local and international movie scenes. Click here rothwelldouglas for upcoming updates of Nollywood Actors and Actresses.These include Ramsey Nouah, Pete Edochie, Olu Jacobs, Chiwetel Ejiofor and many more.

Ramsey Nouah is an icon in the Nigerian film industry. In 2010, He won the Africa Movie Academy Award for the Best Actor in a leading role. He has featured in blockbusters movies and movies of international acclaim such as Reloaded, Figurine, Guilty Pleasures, 30 days in Atlanta, Gbomo Gbomo Express and 76

Olu Jacobs is another legendary figure in Nollywood. He has starred in several British and international series. In 2007, he won the African Movie Academy Award for the Best Actor in a leading role.

Chiwetel Ejiofor is an actor of international acclaim. He’s a British actor but with Nigerian roots.   His role in the movie, 12 years a slave came with accolades and the result was an Academy Award and A Golden Globe Award

Below is an exhaustive list of prominent and upcoming Nollywood Actors:

  • Adebayo Salami
  • Adewale Akinnuoye-Agbaje
  • Afeez Oyetoro
  • Ali Nuhu
  • Ayo Makun
  • Babatunde Omidina
  • Chinedu Ikedieze
  • Chuma Mmeka
  • Clem Ohameze
  • Dayo Okeniyi
  • Dede One Day
  • Dele Momodu
  • Dele Odule
  • Emeka Ossai
  • 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
  • Nkem Owoh
  • C. Ukeje
  • Okey Bakassi
  • Olu Jacobs
  • Osita Iheme
  • Richard Mofe Damijo
  • Saheed Balogun
  • Saint Obi
  • Shawn Faqua
  • Sola Fosudo
  • Tope Tedela
  • Yemi Ajibade
  • Yemi Shodimu
  • Yul Edochie

Also, we have compiled a list of actresses in the Nigerian film industry while highlighting the popular ones:

Funke Akindele also known as Jenifa came to limelight when she featured in the UNPFA sponsored series: I need to know.

In 2009, she was awarded the best movie actress in a leading role due to her exploits in the movie, Jenifa. And Funke has gone on to produce a popular TV show, Jenifa’s diary which has been a hit ever since its release.

Currently, she runs a NGO, the JENIFA FOUNDATION which helps to nurture talents and helps people acquire vocational skills.

Mercy Johnson is a talented actress whose career began shortly after her secondary education when she auditioned and got selected to play the lead role in the movie, the Maid. She’s happily married to Prince Odianosen Okojie and they have 3 children

Ini Edo is another popular Nollywood actress. Her acting career started in 2000 and she has featured in over 100 movies since her initial debut.

Omotola Jalade Ekehinde and Genevieve Nnaji are two Nollywood movie icons. These actresses have received several awards and accolades in the course of their acting career.

Nse Ikpe Etim was a little known actress till she featured in the movie Reloaded. Since then, she has gone on to feature in several blockbuster Nollywood movies such as Phone Swap, Guilty Pleasures, Stalkers, Tunnel, Fifty and American Driver

Mercy Aigbe is another popular actress who has featured prominently in Yoruba Nollywood movies.

Sophie Okonedo is a British actress with Nigerian roots. She has featured in blockbuster movies like Aeon Flux, Mayday, AfterEarth and many more

  • Bimbo Oshin
  • Bisi Komolafe
  • 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
  • Tonto Dike

5 thoughts on “List of Nollywood Actors and Actresses”

  1. Am a young and talented person, am dreaming to become a popular actor, Ave started acting many years ago, thou I haven’t boom, but I believe in God that one day is one day.
    Note: am a comedian, an actor, a script writer, a dancer also using comb to play sax.
    U can call on me anytime. Please ur child needs help.
    This my WhatsApp number: 09033291876

  2. Am a young girl,am dream is always to become and actress,and am talented, and am ready to make use of any little opportunity.here is my contact: 08157997077,08170069799

  3. am a young girl,my dream is always to be an actress ,and am a good actor at that, if I have the opportunity I will use it judiciously ,please I need help and guideline please here is my contact 08149072843 thank you

Leave a Comment

error: Content is Read-Only!!