It is not a myth that Nigeria is home to some of the world’s most talented actors and actresses. These individuals have used their skills not only to persevere in the industry but also to pave the way for others and establish a reputation for themselves.
Nollywood has been lauded for its role in developing brilliant and resourceful performers who have contributed to the success of the Nigerian film industry.
The following are a few of the top 15 actors and actresses you should be familiar with in 2022.
1. Funke Akindele
Funke Akindele has acquired the most wealth of any actress in Nigerian film business history. It is estimated that she has a net worth of 11 million dollars.
She was born on August 24, 1977, in Ikorodu, which is in Lagos. She is the second of a total of five children in her family. She will be 44 years old this year. Her epic movie collection, which she referred to as “Jenifa,” gave her the nickname.
At the Africa Magic Viewers Choice Awards (AMVCA) in 2016, Funke Akindele was recognised as the best actress in a comedy for her work in the leading role of Jenifa’s Diary. Additionally, in 2009, she was awarded the Africa Movie Academy Award for Best Actress.
2. Mercy Johnson
Mercy Johnson Okojie is a renowned actress in Nollywood who has accumulated an estimated net worth of $9 million over the course of her career. She is considered a legend in the Nollywood industry.
She was born in Lagos and is currently 38 years old.
Her whole body of work, which includes more than 300 films, shares three characteristics: reliability, talent, and adaptability.
Prince Odinanosen Okojie, a prominent politician and businessman, is her husband. Together, they have four children.
She and her partner share the joy of raising four children. Henry, Angel, Purity, and Divine-Mercy are the names she gave to her children.
3. Richard Mofe-Damijo
RMD is an abbreviation for Richard Mofe-Damijo. He has worked as an actor, writer, producer, and lawyer in his native Nigeria. In addition, he had previously held the Commissioner for Culture and Tourism in Delta State in 2009. This man is 61 years old. He was born and raised in the Aladja neighbourhood. Additionally, he is an Urhobo man.
Richard has starred in a number of critically acclaimed films, including the one that earned him the Africa Movie Academy Award for Best Actor in a Leading Role in 2005. In addition, he was presented with a Lifetime Achievement Award at the 12th Africa Movie Academy Awards in 2016.
In Nollywood, it is believed that he has a net worth of $5.8 million.
4. Desmond Elliot
Desmond Elliot is widely considered to be one of the most talented actors in Nollywood. More than two hundred films, television dramas, and soap operas feature Desmond in some capacity. His birthday is February 4, 1974, and he was born on that day. At this point in time, he is 48 years old.
In 2015, he was successful in his bid to become a member of the house of assembly for the state of Lagos.
At the second annual African Magic Viewer Awards, Desmond Elliot was recognised as the recipient of the award for best supporting actor in a drama. In addition to that, he has earned a significant fortune.
5. Jim Iyke
Jim Iyke is a nickname for James Ikechukwu Esomugha, which is his full name. However, most people call him Jim Iyke.
He has appeared in more than 150 films throughout his career as a professional actor in the Nigerian film industry.
Before being one of the wealthiest actors in Nollywood, Jim Iyke was a professional footballer in 2001. He has a net worth of $5 million.
6. Segun Arinze
Most actors are most frequently recognised by the names of the characters they played in the movies they were in. Not to be outdone, Segun Arinze has earned the nickname “Black Arrow” throughout the industry. He is also the actor with the most fortune in Nigeria.
Although he was born and reared in Anambra State, Segun Arinze is considered to be a native of Lagos. He began his career in Ilorin, and ever since then, he has become a well-known figure.
7. John Okafor
As the character “Ibu,” John Okafor has amassed significant fame. He is the actor with the highest salary in Nigeria.
A strong distance frequently distinguishes the remarkable comic character that John Okafor is known for creating from the author’s actual life.
He has acted in over 200 films and currently has a net worth of $4.5 million.
8. Ini Edo
Iniobong Edo Ekim, better known simply as Ini Edo, is a Nigerian actress who has achieved great success. She began her acting career in the year 2000 and has since appeared in over one hundred films.
During the Miss Black Africa UK Pageant that took place in 2013, Ini Edo served as a judge. She was given the position of United Nations Habitat Youth Envoy during the next year after being selected for it by the United Nations.
It is believed that Ini Edo has a net worth of $4.5 million.
9. Ibinabo Fiberesima
Ibinabo Fibinabo served in the role of president of the Actors Guild of Nigeria in the past. Her fantastic first picture, “Most Wanted,” catapulted her to the forefront of the acting world in Nigerian cinema.
Her birthday is January 19, and she was born in Lagos, Nigeria, in 1971.
Ibinabo Fibinabo is not just an actress in Nollywood but also a former beauty pageant contestant and an event organiser.
10. Omotola Jalade-Ekeinde
Omotola Jalade-Ekeinde is a well-known name in the Nollywood film industry and has appeared in more than one hundred movies. Additionally, the Ambassador of the United Nations World Food Programme.
The Omotola Youth Empowerment Programme is the name of an organisation that is owned by Omotola Jalade-Ekeinde (OYEP). She is also an ambassador for Knorr, which is manufactured by Unilever, and the B016 hair collection, which Gander manufactures.
Omotola is a married woman, and her husband’s name is Captain Matthew Ekeinde. She made the decision a little over a year ago to invest the money she received from an endorsement in the establishment of an event centre in Ikeja, Lagos, that would cost multiple millions of naira.
11. Clarion Chukwura
Clarion Chukwura has been working in the film industry for more than 30 years, making her a seasoned veteran. She first came to public attention after starring in the Nigerian drama film “Money Power,” which was released in 1982. Shina Peters was one of the other actors she appeared with.
Clarion Chukwura has become known as an Ambassador for Peace for the United Nations as a result of the charity work she has done in Nigeria and throughout Africa.
She was born and raised in the state of Anambra and currently has a net worth of $1.1 million. Her son Clarence Peters is a well-known music director.
12. Pete Edochie
Pete Edochie is a veteran actor in the Nigerian film industry. On March 14, 1947, Pete was born in Zaria, where he also spent his whole childhood. After beginning his career as a broadcaster, he later transitioned into the role of an actor.
Pete Edochie performed the role of Okonkwo in “Things Fall Apart,” which is one of the most popular books written by Chinua Achebe and is one of his most well-known works.
More than forty years have passed throughout Pete’s career in the film industry. It is estimated that he has a net worth of approximately $3.8 million. His children Yul and Linc are both actors who work in the film industry.
13. Nkem Owoh
Because he used those monikers in many of the most memorable films he participated in, Nkem Owoh is better known by the names Ukwa or Osuofia. It is estimated that he has a net worth of $3.9 million.
His first role as an actor was in the 1980 film “Things Fall apart,” which he played alongside Pete Edochie. He went on to have a successful acting career. Nkem Owoh has acted in more than 100 films during the course of his career. Additionally, he serves as an ambassador for MTN.
On February 7, 1958, Nkem Owoh was brought into this world. He was born and raised in the state of Delta and received his degree in agriculture from the University of Agriculture in Abeokuta.
14. Rita Dominic
Rita Dominic is a Nigerian actress who has won several awards for her work. In addition, she earned her degree in Theatre Arts from University of Port Harcourt in the year 1999. Her birthday is July 12, and she was born in 1975.
Rita Dominic is goal-oriented and eager to keep contributing value with the abilities she possesses. Currently, she serves as a GLO Ambassador and the Chief Executive Officer of Rita Dominic Productions. She was one of the people that started Audrey Silver Company.
“A Time to Kill,” Rita Dominic’s debut feature film, was released in 1998. Over the course of her career, she has appeared in over one hundred films produced by the Nigerian film industry, including films such as Accidental Discharge, Mr. and Mrs., The Blind Spot, and The Big Fat Lie.
15. Mike Ezuronye
Before beginning his career in acting, this well-known actor worked in the financial industry. Mike Ezuronye’s net worth is $4.7m. He received his education in Accounting from Nnamdi Azikiwe University, where he also attended.
Endless Passion, Broken Marriage, Keep Me Alive Duplex, and Critical Decision are just some of the excellent premiere films that include Mike Ezuronye. Other films include Endless Passion and Critical Decision.
