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.
Joseph van Vicker, better known as Van Vicker, is a Ghanaian actor, film director and humanitarian. He is the chief executive officer of Sky + Orange production, a film production house. Van Vicker received two nominations for "Best Actor in a Leading Role" and "Best Upcoming Actor" at the Africa Movie Academy Awards in 2008.
Jackie Appiah is a Canadian-born Ghanaian actress. For her work as an actress, she has received several awards and nominations, including the awards for Best Actress in a Leading Role at the 2010 Africa Movie Academy Awards; and Best Actress in a Supporting Role at the Africa Movie Academy Awards in 2007. She received two nominations for Best Actress in a Leading Role and Best Upcoming Actress at the Africa Movie Academy Awards in 2008. Glitz Africa Honors Her with Excellence in Creative Art Award at Ghana Women of the Year Honors 2023. She is a movie producer, fashion model and a humanitarian.
Osita Iheme MFR who hails from Mbaitolu Local Government in Imo State is a Nigerian actor, author, film producer and comedian known for his role as Pawpaw in Aki na Ukwa (2002) alongside Chinedu Ikedieze. Since then, he has starred in several Nollywood productions including 2 Rats (2003), Baby Police (2003), Nollywood Babylon (2008), The Mirror Boy (2011), Christmas in Miami and Aki and Pawpaw (2021). Iheme was the recipient of the 2007 Africa Movie Academy Award for Lifetime Achievement and was conferred Order of the Federal Republic (MFR), a federal honour by President Goodluck Jonathan in 2011.
Majid Michel is a Ghanaian actor, model, television personality, evangelist and a humanitarian. He received nominations for Best Actor in a Leading Role at the Africa Movie Academy Awards in 2009, 2010, 2011, 2012, 2014 and 2017. He eventually won the award in 2012 after three previous consecutive nominations.
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.
Oludotun Baiyewu Jacobs,, known professionally as Olu Jacobs, is a veteran Nigerian actor and film executive. He began his career starring in several British television series and international films. Vanguard described him as one of the "godfathers of Nollywood", along with Pete Edochie. Trained at The Royal Academy of Dramatic Arts, England, Olu Jacobs worked with various repertoire theatres in Britain and starred in some international movies.
Joke SilvaMFR is a veteran Nigerian actress, director, and businesswoman.
Omoni Oboli is a Nigerian actress, scriptwriter, film director, producer and digital filmmaker. She studied at the New York Film Academy and has written several screenplays, including The Figurine (2009), Anchor Baby (2010), Fatal Imagination, Being Mrs Elliott, The First Lady and Wives on Strike (2016). In 2018, she starred and directed the comedy film, Moms at War.
Okechukwu Ukeje, known as OC Ukeje is Nigerian actor,model and musician. He came into prominence after winning the Amstel Malta Box Office (AMBO) reality show. He has received several awards including Africa Movie Academy Awards, Africa Magic Viewers Choice Awards, Nollywood Movies Awards, Best of Nollywood Awards, Nigeria Entertainment Awards and Golden Icons Academy Movie Awards. He has featured in several award-winning films including Two Brides and a Baby, Hoodrush, Alan Poza, Confusion Na Wa and Half of a Yellow Sun.
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.
Gregory Artus Frank, also known as Frank Artus, is a Liberian actor, director, and producer in the West African film industries.
Ali Nuhu Mohammed is a Nigerian actor who is the current managing director of the Nigerian Film Corporation. He was appointed by President Bola Ahmed Tinubu on Friday 12 January 2024. Before his appointment, he was a prominent Nigerian actor and director. He is married to Maimuna Garba in 2003 and they had 2 children. He acts in both Hausa and English movies, and he is also known as king of Kannywood or Sarki Ali by the media; Kannywood is the Hausa film industry headquartered in Kano, Nigeria. Ali Nuhu has appeared in more than 500 Nollywood and Kannywood films, and earned numerous accolades. Ali Nuhu is widely regarded as one of the greatest and most influential actors of all time in the history of Hausa Cinema, as well as Nigerian Cinema In terms of audience, size, and income, and he has been described as the most successful Hausa film star in the world. President Bola Tinubu has appointed him as the Managing-Director of the Nigerian Film Corporation.
Femi Adebayo Salami is a Nigerian film director, actor, lawyer, producer and special adviser to the Governor of Kwara State on Arts, Culture, and Tourism. He is the son of actor Adebayo Salami. He won the Best Actor in a Supporting Role in the 2024 Africa Movie Academy Awards for his role in Jagun Jagun.
Odunlade Jonathan Adekola ; born 31 December 1976) is a Nigerian actor, 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.
Mahmood Ali-Balogun is a Nigerian filmmaker, cultural worker and the managing director of Brickwall Communications Limited. He directed the multiple award-winning film 'Tango With Me'. He is the Chairman of the Audio Visual Rights Society (AVRS) of Nigeria (2).
Next Movie Star is a reality television series, that is centered around discovering new talents in the acting profession. The show was created in Nigeria by Sola Fajobi in 2004, and in 2016 had grown to have representation from ten African countries. Participants are normally camped together for some weeks, and are groomed to become knowledgeable and skilled in their craft. The program is usually broadcast to several television channels across the continent.
Oyekunle Opeyemi Oluwaremi, known professionally as Kunle Remi, is a Nigerian actor, producer, and model. He appeared in the films Falling and Aníkúlápó, the television series Tinsel, and won the 7th edition of Gulder Ultimate Search in 2010. While studying at the New York Film Academy, he was simultaneously hosting an Internet Television Channel, Celebville 360. He hosted the Academy Awards nomination event in Beverly Hills. In 2012, he was cast in his first movie, Heavy Beauty, produced by Grace Edwin Okon and directed by Stanlee Ohikhuare. Though he graduated in 2014, he returned to study filmmaking and directing, and graduated in 2015.
