The Nigerian Nollywood has grow over the years and became crucial for the Nigerian economy. More than 1 million people are connected to Nollywood, making it one of the biggest employment industries in the country. With 1000 up to 1500 movies produced annually, it’s an essential source of income for Nigeria, amounting to about 590 million dollars annually.
As Nigerian movies industry becoming increasingly popular with an audience beyond the African continent, most notably in Latin American countries. In 2015, Nollywood started cooperation with Netflix, making their movies more easily accessible to international audiences.
There are many famous Nollywood actor in Africa. They are some of the most notable performers in Africa from Nigeria who have long ruled or currently on top of the game in Nollywood.
Famous Nollywood Actor in Africa
In the men category, There are many famous Nollywood actor in Africa from Nigeria, but here are few of them:
1. Olu Jacobs
Oludotun Baiyewu Jacobs, also known as Olu Jacobs, is a Nigerian actor and film executive who was born on July 11, 1942
He has acted in a number of foreign and British television series.
Many have praised Olu Jacobs as one of the best and most well-known African actors of his generation.
2. Pete Edochie
Despite being a seasoned administrator and broadcaster, Edochie first gained notoriety in the 1980s when he played the lead role of Okonkwo in a Nigerian Television Authority adaptation of Chinua Achebe’s all-time best-selling novel, Things Fall Apart.
Edochie was given an Industry Merit Award by Africa Magic and a Lifetime Achievement award by the Africa Film Academy.
Edochie is a Catholic and descended from the Igbo people of Nigeria.
President Olusegun Obasanjo bestowed upon him the title of Member of the Order of the Niger in 2003.
3. Richard Mofe Damijo
The famous RMD, is known for his hard work in the movie industry. He has been in the movie industry for quite some time.
His hard work has made him received several awards in the industry.
RMD is a Nigerian actor and politician. He joined politics and was appointed as commissioner of culture and tourism in Delta State.
Richard Eyimofe Evans Mofe-Damijo, popularly known as RMD, is a Nigerian actor, writer, producer, lawyer, and former journalist. He was also a former Commissioner for Culture and Tourism in Delta State in 2009.
In 2005, he won the Africa Movie Academy Award for Best Actor in a Leading Role.
He received a Lifetime Achievement Award at the 12th Africa Movie Academy Awards in 2016.
After graduating from the university, Mofe-Damijo took part in the soap opera Ripples, but gained more popularity as villain Segun Kadiri in rival soap Checkmate. Before then, he had a stint as a writer with Concord Newspapers Metro Magazine, and Quality. Out of Bounds was the first film for which he received a writer/producer credit.
4. Jim Iyke
This actor has won so many awards to his credit. He is a popular and purposeful actor. Jim Iyke has grown and excelled in the entertainment industry.
He generates his income from acting, endorsement and his business.
The level of his hard work has earned him so many awards which include-African Achievement Award, Best Actor in Nigerian Entertainment, best actor of the year 2010.
5. Nkem Owoh (Osufia)
The popular man known as (Osufia) is among the richest actor in the movie industry today. He became popular in the movie Osuofia in London.
He has a striking sense of humour which have enabled him attract many audience. Both the young and old wants to see him in action.
6. Chinedu Ikedieze (Aki)
He is a friend of Iheme popularly known as (paw paw). He was named after the movie he acted.
He was born on 12th of October 1977. He was also honored in 2007, when he received the Lifetime Achievement Award at the African Movie Academy Awards(AMAA).
Aki is married to Nneoma his pretty damsel. He has taken part many movies which has made him popular home & abroad. Most of the above mentioned actors have acted together with Osita Iheme.
7. Osita Iheme (Pawpaw)
He is popularly known as paw-paw, he acted the movie tittled” Aki Na paw-paw” which was acted alongside Chinedu Ikedieze. He was born on 24th of October, 1982. Osita Iheme is a Nigerian actor in the Nigerian movie industry, Nollywood.
He is considered one of the most famous actors in Nigeria. Born to a family of five, Osita studied mass communication in Enugu State University and is currently pursuing a degree in law.
In the year 2007, he received the Lifetime Achievement Award at the African Movie Academy Awards. Osita Iheme became well known for playing the mischievous children alongside his size sake Chinedu Ikedieze.
The two are popularly referred to as the midget duo and according to his own admission, their partnering was a divine intervention that saw them spring to fame.
8. Ramsey Nouah
The popular “Lover-Boy” is known for numerous roles in romantic Nigerian films due to his light skin complexion. He was selected to star in several love related romantic films in Nigeria.
He is well known in quite a lot of films acted in nigeria. He is happily Married to Emelia Philips-Nouah and has 2 children. He is a very famous and well known Actor and Stunt Director.
He won the 2010 Best Actor in a Leading Role (AMAA) for his performance in the Best Picture award winning film The Figurine. Nouah’s acting career kicked off when he starred in the Nigerian TV soap opera Fortunes.
Nouah has since then appeared in numerous films starring as the lead role. In 2010 Nouah won theAfrican Movie Academy Award for Best Actor in a Leading Role for his performance in the Best Picture award winning film The Figurine.
Nouah is considered to be one of the most sought-after actors in Nigeria
9. Desmond Elliot
He is an actor, director and politician. He has starred in over two hundred films and a number of television shows and soap operas.
He won best supporting actor in a drama at the 2nd Africa Magic Viewers’ Choice Awards and was nominated for best supporting actor at the 10th Africa Movie Academy Awards.
He was elected as a lawmaker of the Lagos State House of Assembly, Surulere Constituency, in the 11 October 2015 Nigerian General Elections and also won again in 2022.
10. Mike Ezuruonye
A purposeful, dedicated and gifted personality, worked as a banker prior to becoming an actor. He has featured in several Nollywood movies.
He received two nominations for Best Actor in a Supporting Role and Best Actor in a Leading Role at the Africa Movie Academy Awards in 2008, 2009 and a nomination for Best actor in Africa Magic Viewers Choice Awards.
11. Nonso Diobi
He is one of the Nigerian popular actors that have featured in a number of movies. His talent has made him one of the most prolific Nollywood actors that have featured in over 60 movies in over a decade.
His hard work in the Nigerian movie industry has seen him on the list of top popular actors in Nigeria.
12. John Okafor (Mr Ibu)
Also known as (Mr Ibu), he is a comedian and a popular Nigerian actor. A very funny personality who have acted series of Nigerian movies this 2022.
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