The cinema of Nigeria, often referred to informally as Nollywood, consists of films produced in Nigeria; its history dates back to as early as the late 19th century and into the colonial era in the early 20th century. The history and development of the Nigerian motion picture industry is sometimes generally classified in four main eras: the Colonial era, Golden Age era, Video film era and the emerging New Nigerian cinema era.
Omotola Jalade Ekeinde, is a Nigerian actress, singer, philanthropist and former model. Since her Nollywood film debut in 1995, Ekeinde has appeared in over 300 films, selling millions of copies. Omotola is the second Nigerian and first Nigerian celebrity to receive over 1 million likes on her Facebook page. She currently has a total of 3 million followers on Facebook.
Desmond Oluwashola Elliot is a Nigerian Actor, Director, and politician. He was elected as a lawmaker of the Lagos State House of Assembly, Surulere Constituency, in the 11 April 2015 Nigerian General Elections. Elliot competed to become the ambassador for the Face of Hope Project, a "volunteer-based non-profit, non-religious, non-political organization established to give hope to the hopeless", in which he will work toward fixing "child illiteracy in Nigeria and Africa at large" should he emerge. 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.
The Africa Movie Academy Awards, popularly known as AMAA and The AMA Awards, are presented annually to recognize excellence among professionals working in, or non-African professionals who have contributed to, the African film industry. It was founded by Peace Anyiam-Osigwe and is run through the Africa Film Academy. The awards are aimed at honouring and promoting excellence in the African movie industry as well as uniting the African continent through arts and culture. The award presentation is attended by numerous media representatives, celebrities, politicians, journalists, actresses and actors from all across the world. The AMA Awards are widely considered to be Africa's most important film event and the most prestigious film award in Africa. A variety of international observers have fondly called the African Movie Academy Awards the "African Oscars".
Chiwetalu Agu is a Nigerian actor. He won the 2012 Nollywood award for 'best actor in indigenous movie '. His usage of specific language slangs, phrases or clichés in many films has made him uniquely a household name in Nigeria and among Nollywood fans in general. While asserting that comic genres is a unique vehicle in projecting Nigerian culture globally as well as establishing the Nollywood brand, Agu is listed as one of the outstanding comedians who have contributed to the development of Nollywood comic genres by Prof. Femi Shaka of the University of Port Harcourt. Agu is married to Nkechi and has three sons and two daughters.
Justus Esiri was a Nigerian actor, generally considered to be one of the pillars of Nollywood with an acting career that goes way back to the 1960s. He came into prominence for his role in the popular Nigerian Television Authority TV-series The Village Headmaster and the film adaptation of Chinua Achebe's book Things Fall Apart where he played the role of Obierika. He won Best Actor award at the 9th Africa Movie Academy Awards post-humously for his role in Assassins Practice and was also honored as the inaugural recipient of the "Goodluck Jonathan Lifetime Achievement Award" at the 2013 Nollywood Movies Awards. The Nigerian government honored him with several National honors with the highest being an Officer of the Order of the Niger, OON for his contribution to the development of Film-Making in Nigeria. He is the father of Mavin Records musician Dr Sid.
Bob-Manuel Obidimma Udokwu is a Nigerian actor, movie director, producer and politician. In 2014, he received the Lifetime Achievement award at the 10th Africa Movie Academy Awards. He was nominated for Best Actor in a supporting role at the 2013 Nollywood Movies Awards for his role in Adesuwa.
Blossom Chukwujekwu is a Nigerian actor, who made his professional acting debut in 2009. In 2015, he won the Best Supporting Actor Award at the Africa Magic Viewers Choice Awards.
Yul Chibuike Daniel Edochie popularly known as Yul Edochie is a Nigerian actor. He is from Anambra State, Nigeria, the son of a veteran Nigerian actor Pete Edochie.
Ejike Asiegbu is a Nigerian film actor and film director who once served as President of the Actors Guild of Nigeria. He was also previously appointed as personal assistant to former Biafran leader Odumegwu Ojukwu during the 1994 National Constitutional Conference in Abuja, the federal capital territory of Nigeria.
Zeal Chigozie Atuanya is a Nigerian actor, producer and entrepreneur.
Ekenedilichukwu Ugochukwu Eric Nwenweh, professionally known as Ken Erics Ugo or simply Ken Erics is a Nigerian film and television actor, writer, producer and occasional musician. He is popularly known for his role as Ugo in the movie 'The Illiterate' alongside Tonto Dikeh and Yul Edochie. He is from Anambra State.
Amaechi Muonagor was a veteran Nigerian actor, producer and comedian. He was nominated for the 2017 Africa Magic Viewers' Choice Awards for Best actor. Born in Obosi, Anambra State, a state in the southeastern part of Nigeria. He joined the Nigerian movie industry Nollywood in 1998 and had starred in many movies including Taboo 1 (1989), Aki and Pawpaw, Karishika (1998), and Aki na Ukwa (2002), Igodo (1999).
Kenneth Okonkwo is a veteran Nigerian actor, lawyer and politician, known for his role in the movie Living in Bondage as Andy Okeke.
Azubuike Michael Egwu professionally known as Zubby Michael is a Nigerian film actor and film producer. He is known for his role in Three Widows, Royal Storm and Professional Lady. His first appearance was in the movie titled Missing Rib but known for The Three Widows where he played the lead role.
Keppy EkpenyongEdet Bassey-Inyang is a Nigerian actor who received a commendation award from the Actors Guild of Nigeria in 2018 for his contributions to Nollywood.
Victor Osuagwu is a Nigerian actor who won the City People Movie Special Recognition Award at the City People Entertainment Awards and Is a former president of the Lagos State chapter of the Actors Guild of Nigeria.
Paul Obazele is a Nigerian actor, philanthropist, and movie producer who once served as the president of the Association of Movie Producers (AMP) and at the end of his tenure as president of Association of Movie Producers (AMP) he was appointed the president of Edo Film Makers Association (EFMA). Obazele is the founder of Legends of Nollywood Awards(LNA). He was named “one of the most consistent faces on television” by the editorial team of TV Guide which is a quarterly publication of the Nigerian Television Authority.
Kenneth Obinna Okolie is a Nigerian actor, model and beauty pageant titleholder who was crowned Mr Nigeria 2010 and in 2015 won the City People Movie Award for Best Supporting Actor of the Year (English) at the City People Entertainment Awards.
Frederick Nnaemeka Leonard, is a Nigerian actor who won the award for Best Supporting Actor in a movie at the Golden Icons Academy Movie Awards in 2014 and in 2016 won the City People Movie Award For Best Supporting Actor of the Year (English) at the City People Entertainment Awards.
