Adekanla Aderinola Desalu (born 7 November 1980) professionally known as Deza the Great is a Nigerian actor, filmmaker and banker. Desalu's work include Big Love (2023), Hell & Fury (2024), Two Captains and Unusual Arrangements (2023).
Desalu was born in Lagos, Lagos State on 7 November 1980. Desalu graduated from University of Lagos with a bachelor's degree in actuarial science and hold an MBA in artificial intelligence from Nexford University. [1] [2]
Desalu worked at Glo in 2005 where he worked as the commercial roaming manager and later moved to Sterling Bank (then Equatorial Trust Bank) in 2008, where he currently works as a regional client engagement officer. [3] [1]
Desalu made his debut appearance in 2010 with the TV series, Catwalq where he played the character, Barry. Desalu has appeared in 150 movies and has produced 7 movies. [1] [4]
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.
Genevieve Nnaji is a Nigerian actress, producer, and director. She won the Africa Movie Academy Award for Best Actress in a Leading Role in 2005, making her the first actor to win the award. In 2011, she was honoured as a Member of the Order of the Federal Republic by the Nigerian government for her contributions to Nollywood. Her directorial debut movie, Lionheart, is the first Netflix film from Nigeria and the first Nigerian submission for the Oscars. The movie was disqualified for having most of its dialogue in English. After having spent decades in the movie industry, she was profiled alongside some celebrities and business executives in 2020 in two new books by publisher and Editor in Chief of Yes International! magazine, Azuh Arinze.
Chioma Chukwuka is a Nigerian actress, director and movie producer. In 2007, she won the Africa Movie Academy Award for "Best Actress in a leading role" for her performance in the movie "Sins of the flesh", and the Afro Hollywood award for best actress in a lead role in 2010.
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 non-profit combatting illiteracy amongst Nigerian youth.
Anayo Modestus Onyekwere popularly known as Kanayo O. Kanayo is a Nigerian actor and lawyer. In 2006, he won the Africa Movie Academy Award for Best Actor in a Leading Role for his performance in the movie Family Battle.
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Kalu Egbui Ikeagwu is a British-Nigerian actor and writer. As an actor, he has received several awards and nominations for his performances on screen.
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Uche Jombo is a Nigerian actress, screenwriter, and film producer. She has appeared in over 250 Nollywood movies and has also written and produced. She is known for her roles in movies such as Visa to Hell, Girls Hostel, Fire Love, Endless Lies, Nollywood Hustlers, and many more. She is also an ambassador for Globacom.
Samuel Dedetoku, popularly known by his stage name Sam Dede, is a Nigerian veteran actor, director, politician and lecturer. Sam Dede, as he is widely known in movies, studied Theatre Arts at the University of Port Harcourt.
Odunlade Jonathan Adekola ; born 31 December 1976) is a Nigerian actor, singer, film-maker, film producer and film director. He gained popularity and was widely known for his lead role in Ishola Durojaye's 2003 movie, Asiri Gomina Wa, and has acted in many Nollywood movies since then. He is the founder and CEO of the Odunlade Adekola Film Production (OAFP).
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.
Nollywood, a portmanteau of Nigeria and Hollywood, is a sobriquet that originally referred to the Nigerian film industry. The origin of the term goes back to the early 2000s, traced to an article in The New York Times. Due to the history of evolving meanings and contexts, there is no clear or agreed-upon definition for the term, which has made it a subject of several controversies.
Kelechi Udegbe is a Nigerian film actor and voice over artist. He is best known for starring as the lead character in Officer Titus. Since his screen debut in 2009, Kelechi has starred in several films and soaps including Behind The Smile, Ojuju, Taxi Driver: Oko Ashewo, Horn Free Day and Kpians: The Feast of Souls.
Deyemi Okanlawon is a Nigerian film, television, theatre, and voice actor. He is widely recognized as one of the most dynamic talents in the Nigerian film industry, earning the distinction of being the highest-grossing Nollywood actor of 2020 and 2021, according to the Film One Box Office report. Deyemi is best known for his roles in Netflix Originals, including Blood Sisters, The King’s Horseman, King of Boys: The Return of the King, Lisabi, as well as major blockbusters like Omo Ghetto: The Saga, Prophetess, and All’s Fair in Love.
Chief Enyinna Nwigwe is a Nigerian actor, producer, and entrepreneur. He is best known for playing Nonso in The Wedding Party 2, and playing Tamuno in Black November.
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Adetola Abdullateef Adedimeji is a Nigerian actor and filmmaker. He gained popularity with his first major role in Yewande Adekoya's 2013 movie titled Kudi Klepto and has acted in over 100 Nigerian movies since he began acting 15 years ago. He is currently a brand ambassador for Airtel and Numatville Megacity.
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