Entertainment
Focus On Best 10 Nollywood Actresses Of All Times
Nollywood, Africa’s largest
movie industry has seen quite a lot of talented people as Nollywood actors and Nollywood actresses. Some of Nollywood’s best actors and actresses started acting right before the cinema of Nigeria came into existence. Now that the institution is at its peak, releasing more than 200 movies per month, there are actresses who graced it up to this level and are worth mentioning. The list below outlines the best 10 Nollywood actresses of all times.
Some have featured in more than 100 movies hence have made their faces so popular, while some others are on the list because of their natural acting skills rather than reading and obviously acting out written manuscripts.
10. Rita Dominic
Rita Dominic was born on 12 July, 1975, a native of Mbaise, Imo State, Nigeria. Rita Dominic won the Africa Movie Academy Award for Best Actress in a Leading Role in 2012. She was exposed to acting as a child and later starred in her first movie: “A Time To Kill”. She won the city People Awards in 2004 for being the most outstanding actress. Because of her acting prowess, she has featured in over 100 movies alongside other talented actors and actresses. Rita is definitely one of the top Nollywood actresses of all times.
9. Oge Okoye
Oge Okoye, born in London and a graduate of Theatre Arts from Nnamdi Azikiwe University, Awka, has featured in more than 60 movies since her acting career started in 2001 and some of her recent movies include: ‘Marry Me’, ‘The Girls’ and ‘Blackberry Babes’. Another top Nollywood actress you don’t want to miss her movie.
8. Tonto Dikeh
Tonto Dikeh is from Ikwerre, Rivers State Nigeria. Born on the 9th of June, 1985, she graduated from Rivers State University of Science and Technology where she went to study Petrochemical Engineering. Tonto Dikeh was exposed to acting and joined Nollywood movie industry after she finished as the first runner-up for the reality TV programme: The Next Movie Star. Since then she has featured in several Nollywood hit movies.
7. Uche Jombo
Uche Jombo was born in Abiriba, Abia State, Nigeria, seems like most Nollywood actresses were technologically inclined before they had a change of career, Uche is a graduate of Mathematics and Statistics from the University of Calabar, and Computer Programming from the Federal University of Technology Minna. She then ventured into the Nollywood in 1999 starring in the movie: “Visa To Hell”, Jombo has featured in more than 60 movies. She is also a screenwriter and has written and co-written several other interesting movies which include: ‘Games Men Play’, ‘The Celebrity’, ‘Girls in the Hood’ and ‘A Time to Love’. She has produced other Nollywood movies such as Nollywood Hustlers, Holding Hope and her latest work: “Damage” which deals with the issue of domestic violence in homes. This GLO Ambassador could be more described as an all-rounder.
6. Stephanie Okereke-Linus
Stephanie is a Nigerian born actress, singer and model. The pretty model joined Nollywood and started acting in 1997 when she was featured in “Compromise II” and “Waterloo”. A year later she was accepted into the English and Literary Studies Programme at the University of Calabar, graduated with her degree Stephanie Okereke, finished second place in the 2002 “The Most Beautiful Girl in Nigeria (MBGN) beauty pageant. One of her very successful movies was “Emotional Crack”. She was nominated for eight awards of which she won 2: Best Actress. English and Reel Awards Best actress of the year 2003. Stephanie has also starred in quite a few films including Private Sin. Final Solution, Pretender and Adora. She has a blog where she shares her personal experiences.
5. Mercy Johnson
Mercy Johnson, an indigene of Okene in Kogi State is a popular Nigerian actress known for her natural and bold acting. She ventured into acting after failing her Jamb exam and has made her acting debut in the movie, “The Maid” playing the role of a possessed house help. Her performance in the movie shot her into the limelight. She has featured in other popular Nigerian movies. Her acting prowess has led her to star in more than 100 movies and has won her the African Film Award for best supporting actress in 2009.
4. Patience Ozokwor
Patience Ozokwor, popularly known as mama G is a personality in the Nigerian movie industry that you may never forget. She is a highly talented actress that sets the pace in Nollywood acting. Patience hails from Enugu Ngwo and was usually given acting roles as part of her school work each term. However, to show that skills and talent have nothing to do with youthfulness, she was influenced by Chika Okpala popularly known as Chief Zebrudaya to join Nollywood where she has made her mark. Patience ctress of the year at the 2001 City People Awards.
Spotify yesterday revealed a significant surge in heartbreak song streams in Nigeria during the Valentine’s Day season, with a 626 percent increase between 2022 and 2024.
This was disclosed in a statement issued in Lagos, Nigeria by Spotify’s Head of Music, Sub-Saharan Africa Phiona Okumu.
Okumu said, “Spotify data reveals a surprising trend, a massive surge in heartbreak song streams.
“Nigerians are turning to their playlists to express their emotions, with a staggering 626 per cent overall growth in heartbreak streams from 2022 to 2024.
“This Valentine, the sound of love is accompanied by the sound of heartbreak, and the data shows it’s louder than ever before.”
She said on Valentine’s Day, most surprisingly, male listeners streamed heartbreak songs at a significantly higher rate than female listeners, with a 362 per cent increase compared to 169 per cent among women.
“This could suggest that men resonate with the feeling of heartbreak more and turn to music as a private outlet for processing emotions.
“Whatever the reason, one thing is clear, when love is in the air, so is heartbreak and Nigerian men are pressing play on their pain more than expected.
“While Valentine’s Day is often celebrated with grand gestures, heartbreak is a common theme on Valentine’s Day -more than what’s publicly shown,” she said.
Nigerians will join their counterparts across the world to mark the 2025 Valentine’s today.
Grammy-winning Nigerian singer Temilade Openiyi, popularly known as Tems, has joined MLS side San Diego FC’s ownership group as a club partner.
SDFC announced today that Tems joined the ownership group through her company, The Leading Vibe.
In the process, Tems became the first African woman to be involved in MLS ownership.
“We are delighted that Tems has joined San Diego FC as a club partner,” SDFC chairman Sir Mohamed Mansour said in a statement.
“Tems is a globally significant artist who will help us reach new audiences and spread the word about our unique project, which, of course, has its foundations in sub-Saharan Africa through the unique Right to Dream organisation.”
Reacting to her addition as the latest partner in SDFC’s ownership group, the singer said: “I am thrilled to join San Diego FC’s ownership group and to be part of a club that celebrates creativity, culture, and the power of community.
“Football has a unique way of bringing people together, and I am excited to help build something special in San Diego, a city that thrives on diversity and innovation.”
Fashion and beauty entrepreneur, Toyin Lawani, has claimed she is enduring back pain and that her spine is degenerating.
Lawani revealed this in a video posted on social media last Tuesday.
In the clip, she opened up about her experience with epidural anesthesia, an injection administered to pregnant women in the spine to reduce pain during childbirth.
The mother of three claimed that since receiving the injection, she has not felt like herself.
She accused doctors of not fully informing women about the long-term side effects of epidurals.
According to Lawani, she received the anesthetic injection during the birth of her last two children.
She said, “When you hear ‘epidural,’ run. Doctors tell you about the side effects but do not tell you about the long-term effects on your body. I have about three friends having the same issues that I am having.
“Like, I am just 42, how did I end up with spine issues? I have a degenerating spine. I have implants in my spine. I go paralyzed. I can’t stand for a long time. I can’t even breathe properly sometimes because it affected so many things in my body when I had the surgery.
“They will not tell you because you just want the pain to go away. I have had two epidurals. I had my first as natural birth. The last two were epidural. The last one I had epidural because I had to undergo a surgery and I had no choice.
“See, the pain does not stop. My back is killing me and my spine is degenerating.”