Top Ten Most Popular Nigerian Actresses

There are actresses in Nigeria that have made their mark in the industry. Let’s take a look at the ten most popular Nigerian actresses; by popularity, and those that have won lots of awards domestically as well as internationally. There is also a little biography about each actress you might find interesting.

Most Popular Nigerian Actresses

Have you ever wondered who Nollywood’s most popular actress is? If you are a Nigerian who enjoys Nigerian films and performers, here is a list of the country’s top ten most popular actresses.

Genevieve Nnaji

Nigerian actress, producer, and director Genevieve Nnaji. She became the first actor to receive the Africa Movie Academy Award for Best Actress in a Leading Role in 2005. In 2009, City People Entertainment Awards called her “Most Outstanding Actress in Nigeria.”
At the Beautycon Festival in Los Angeles in March 2018, Genevieve became the first African star to debut her business. She’s also renowned for her appearances in TECNO Mobile commercials.

Funke Akindele

Funke Akindele is a former model and an actress from Ondo, Nigeria. When she was in Junior Secondary School, she got her first taste of acting. She took part in various theatre performances while in school, and she hit at a very young age after acting in the popular tv show ‘I Need To Know. After this breakthrough, she has featured in a lot of movies such as Jennifer, Omo ghetto, Industreet, Jennifer diaries, and a lot more. She won the best leading actress in 2012.

Omotola Jalade Ekeinde

Omotola Jalade Ekeinde is a former model, actress, singer, and philanthropist from Nigeria. Since her debut in a Nollywood film in 1995, the leading lady has acted in over 300 films and sold millions of video copies. The New York Times dubbed her “Nigeria’s most famous actress” after she received multiple high-profile prizes, launched a music career, and amassed an incredible fan base. She is currently one of Africa’s most dedicated actresses.

Mercy Aigbe

Mercy Chinwo Aigbe (born January 15, 1982) is a Nigerian actress, model and entrepreneur. She became famous for playing lead roles in popular Nigerian Nollywood films such as Aboki, The Twins: Reloaded and Private Villa among others.

Tonto Dikeh

Tonto Dikeh, who was given birth on the 9th of June, 1985, is one of Nollywood’s most controversial actresses. She was born in Port Harcourt but raised in Bauchi. Tonto studied Petrochemical Engineering at Rivers State University.

She rose to notoriety with her role in Emem Isong’s film “Holy Cross.” Tonto Dikeh has been nominated for several awards, including the Academy Award for Best Actor in a Leading Role in a Motion Picture. In 2016, Forbes named her one of Africa’s top ten most powerful women. Tonto Dikeh Foundation (TDF) was founded in November 2017 to support young women.

Chika Ike

Chika is a former model and a Nigerian actress, media personality, producer, businesswoman, and philanthropist. She was named Best Actress in a Leading Role at the Africa Movie Academy Awards in 2011. She is well-known for her part in the film “Anchor Baby.”

Mercy Johnson

Mercy Johnson Okojie was born in the Kogi on August 28, 1984. Her father died when she was 16, leaving her family without a source of income because her mother was a tiny trader who couldn’t meet all of her children’s requirements. Due to financial concerns, she dropped out of secondary school in 2004 and began working menial jobs, but was somehow finally able to make her way to the top.

Omoni Oboli

Omoni is an actress, director, screenwriter, and film producer who was born in the country of Nigeria. She has appeared in over 70 Nigerian films. In 2009, she received an Africa Movie Academy Award nomination for Best Actress in a Leading Role.

Kate Henshaw-Nuttal

Kate won the Africa Movie Academy Award for Best Actress in a Leading Role In 2008. She currently has her television show titled ‘The Kate Henshaw Show’ which airs on Silverbird Television and Soundcity TV.

Oge Okoye

Oge Okoye is a beautiful and talented actress who has featured in movies like “48 hours to live”, “Fatal attraction” and “In the movie” to mention just a few. She is currently the brand ambassador of MTN Nigeria and she is the first ambassador of the youth empowerment project the “millennium project”.