Although Nollywood Yoruba emanates from South West Nigeria, the industry has produced scores of blockbuster movies that have become popular in many parts of Nigeria and the world at large.
In this post, you’ll get take a peek at the fantastic actors and actresses that have made Nollywood Yoruba exciting to watch. We’ve also provided a quick profile of the most popular ones among the pack.
Odunlade Adekola
Odunlade is arguably the most talented Nollywood actor in the Yoruba genre. He has featured in popular movies like Oyenusi, Alani Pamolekun, Omo Colonel, Taxi Driver, Adura and many more.
Odunlade received the award at the City People Awards for the Best Actor and the African Magic Movie Award for Best Actor in the last few years.
Muyiwa Ademola
Popularly known as Muyiwa Authentic, Ademola is a famous Nollywood Yoruba actor, film-maker and director. He produced and directed the award winning movie, ‘Ori’. The actor is also a talented script writer
Femi Adebayo
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 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.
Saheed Balogun
Saheed Balogun is a veteran Nollywood actor and producer. 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.
Lateef Adedimeji
Lateef Adedimeji is a fast rising actor. He is also a TV presenter, script writer and Master of Ceremony (MC)
He became popular when he featured in the movie, Kudi Klepto. Lateef is quite versatile and he is known for his unique ability to get really emotional in movies.
Tunde Owokoniran
Tunde Owokoniran is popularly called Tunde Tilapia. He is one of the fast rising actors in the Yoruba movie industry and he has featured in over 100 movies since he debuted as an actor.
The actor is a protégé of the popular Yoruba movie actor, Odunlade Adekola as it was Odunlade that introduced him to acting.
Damola Olatunji
Damola Olatunji is another popular Nollywood Yoruba actor. He has featured in over 100 movies since he debuted as an actor. He is also a producer and director.
Below is a list of other Nollywood Yoruba Actors:
- Adebayo Salami
- Adewale Akinnuoye-Agbaje
- Afeez Oyetoro
- Babatunde Omidina
- Bolanle Ninalowo
- Dayo Okeniyi
- Dele Odule
- Femi Branch
- Gbenro Ajibade
- Hakeem Kae-Kazim
- Jide Kosoko
- Jimoh Aliu
- Kola Oyewo
- Mike Ezuruonye
- Muyiwa Ademola
- Saheed Balogun
- Sola Fosudo
- Tope Tedela
- Yemi Ajibade
- Yemi Shodimu
- Kelvin Ikeduba
- Rikardo Agbor
- MC Kirikiri
- Lateef Adedimila
- Tunde Owokoniran
- BigVal Jokotoye
- Damola Olatunji
Also, we have compiled a list of Nollywood Yoruba actresses while highlighting the popular ones:
Funke Akindele
Also known as Jenifa burst into limelight when she featured in the UNPFA sponsored series: I need to know.
But it was until she featured in the award winning movie, Jenifa that she became really popular.
The actress received the award of best movie actress in a leading role due to her exploits in the movie, Jenifa. She has since gone on to produce the 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 Aigbe
Mercy is a popular actress who has featured prominently in Yoruba Nollywood movies. She is also known for her unique fashion sense.
Lizzy Anjorin
Lizzy is another popular Yoruba actress. She is a graduate of Olabisi Onabanjo University, Ago Iwoye.
Funke Adesiyan
Funke is known for her intriguing roles in Yoruba movies. She started out as a teenage model and she has been involved in several successful businesses.
The actress is a graduate of Performing Arts from the prestigious Olabisi Onabanjo University.
Funke once dated the popular actor, Saheed Balogun.
Doris Simeon
Doris is another popular actress. She has featured in popular movies like Onitemi, Modupe Temi and Apaadi. She was once married to movie producer, Daniel Ademinokan.
Fathia Balogun
Fathia is a popular Nollywood Yoruba actress, film-maker, producer and director. She used to be married to popular actor and movie producer, Saheed Balogun.
The actress has featured in movies like Farayola, Aje meta, Shola Arikusa and Ishanna.
Laide Bakare
Laide has been in the industry for quite some time. She is the producer of the blockbuster movie, Jejere which featured the likes of 9ice, Akin Lewis and Fathia Balogun.
She also owns a production company called Simline Records. Laide studied Theatre Arts at the University of Ibadan.
Bukky Wright
Bukky is a popular Nollywood Yoruba actress. She has also featured in scores of English movies.
Sola Kosoko
Sola is the daughter of popular veteran actor, Jide Kosok. She has been in the movie industry since 1999; she’s happily married to Abiodun Abinna.
The actress is a graduate of Theatre Arts from Olabisi Onabanjo University, Ogun State.
Mosun Filani
Mosun is a graduate of Business Administration from the Tai Solarin University of Education. She has featured in movies Iyo Aye, Ami Ayo and Jenifa.
There have been rumours claiming Mosun dated actors like Odunlade Adekola, Muyiwa Ademola and Adebayo Tijani
- Bimbo Oshin
- Bukky Wright
- Idowu Philips
- Sola Kosoko
- Iyabo Ojo
- Kehinde Bankole
- Moji Olaiya
- Omotola Jalade Ekeinde
- Racheal Oniga
- Lilian Bach
- Liz Dasilva
- Toyin Aimakhu
- Regina Chukwu
- Hannah Marsh-Solade
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