List of Nollywood Actors and Actresses

Do you love Nollywood Movies? If so, you probably have a list of Nollywood actors and actresses you love to watch.

Nollywood boasts several incredible talents that have graced our screen over the years. The list of Nollywood actors and actresses today includes veteran actors and upcoming ones. Whether those Nollywood actors or actresses are featured in Yoruba movies, English movies, or Igbo movies, we honestly love it when they serve a reasonable interpretation of their role.

In this article, we have listed several of them that we believe Nollywood movie lovers enjoy seeing in movies. See if you can find your favorites on our list.

List of Nollywood Actors and Actresses (English-Nollywood Movies)

1. Ramsey Nouah

Ramsey Noah is a Nigerian actor known as one of Nollywood’s love boys alongside Emeka Ike due to the romantic-themed films he appears in. He is an award-winning Nigerian actor who won many hearts with his looks and outstanding character interpretation on screen.

2. Nkem Owoh

Nkem Owoh is an iconic Nigerian actor. We know him as the actor that provides comic relief in movies. He does it in dynamic ways that help tone down severe episodes but still send the intended message.

3. Yul Edochie

Speaking of sons following in their father’s footsteps, this actor is one of them. Yul Edochie is the son of the veteran Nigerian actor, Pete Edochie. As an actor, he also portrays the same charisma we see in his actor father and has become successful in his own right.

4. Richard Mofe-Damijo

RMD, as he is fondly called, is one Nigerian actor that has helped the younger generation understand what we now call middle-aged love with some of the roles he has played. He is one among many on the list of Nigerian actors and actresses who have gone on to produce their movies, not just act.

3. Olu Jacobs

Olu Jacobs is a veteran Nigerian actor. Before Nollywood, he starred in several British television series and international films. And when Nollywood came to be, he featured in several movies that made us acknowledge his acting skills. Olu Jacobs is one of Nollywood’s finest actors that the industry has produced.

4. Jim Iyke

If you have seen any of Jim Iyke’s movies, you will know he plays the bad boy role well. He is one Nigerian actor who has successfully communicated the grave consequences of vices to young people through the characters he played. In Nollywood, Jim Iyke is one of the highest-paid actors. 

5. Pete Edochie

Remember when we talked about Yul Edochie earlier? This is his father, Pete Edochie, whom we mentioned. He is a veteran actor who has played several charismatic roles. In most Nollywood movies, you find him playing the role of a king or a well-to-do father. Honestly, we don’t see him playing as anyone else. 

6. Kanayo. O. Kanayo

This is another iconic Nigerian actor with good movie interpretation skills. Kanayo.O. Kanayo is that face that has taught us that evil doesn’t pay because the evil of people’s actions lives on in the consequences of those choices and deeds long after the person is gone. Kudos to him for making a villain character in movies interesting to watch.

7. John Okafor

Another Nigerian actor is known for the humorous characters he plays. John Okafor is the actor we know as Mr. Ibu. We are sure a broad smile or a chuckle accompanied your thoughts of him. This one talented actor can bring you pangs of laughter in exchange for your anxiety. His stellar acting has earned him a spot on the list of highly paid comic characters in Nollywood.

8. Joseph Benjamin

Most people only think of MTN Project Fame once they hear the name Joseph Benjamin. Well, yes, he did co-host the show, and he is an excellent presenter, but he should see him act. He is one versatile, award-winning Nigerian actor that can get you into a movie with his character interpretation. 

9. Kenneth Okonkwo

Another “lover boy” on the list. Kenneth Okonkwo is a prominent Nigerian actor who has starred in many emotionally stirring movies. 

His sultry looks in movies communicate a lot. He is best known for his role as Andy Okeke in the evergreen movie Living in Bondage.

10. Mike Ezuruonye

Mike Ezuruonye is a Nigerian actor who has thrilled us with his acting performances time and time again. He is one actor you don’t mind watching, even if a movie plot seems to be dragging.

11. Osita Iheme

Osita Iheme is a Nigerian actor who has leveraged his size to inspire, motivate, and stimulate the minds of young Nigerians with the several characters he has played. Acting alongside colleague Chinedu Ikedieze, they have been able to communicate to Nigerians that if you can do it, you can do it too. He is best known for his role as Pawpaw in the famous movie Aki na Ukwa.

12. Chinedu Ikedieze

Chinedu Ikedieze is a Nigerian actor like Osita Iheme who has been able to leverage his stature and physical appearance to communicate morals and possibilities to the younger generation. He is best known for his role as Aki in the movie Aki na Ukwa.

13. Mercy Johnson

Mercy Johnson is a versatile Nigerian actress passionate about every role she plays. Watching her is like a roller coaster. You can find yourself laughing one moment, and the very next moment, you are in tears. She is one of the best role interpreters in Nollywood.

14. Genevieve Nnaji

Here is a familiar A-list Nigerian actress who everyone seems to know. Genevieve Nnaji is a passionate actress who gets you connected to her character whenever you watch a movie she is in. However, as time has passed, she has become one of those actors who has expanded their resumes to include film producing and directing.

15. Funke Akindele

Jenifa is a household name in Nigeria. The name rings on the streets, in the market, in schools, and at home. Even those who don’t know what she looks like know there is a “Jenifa.” “Jenifa” is Funke Akindele, a now prominent actor who rose to fame for her role in the Yoruba movie “Jenifa.” She is a versatile actress who can pull off any role, especially comedic ones. There is no dull moment when you have her on your screen. It’s rapt attention all the way.

16. Rita Dominic

Rita Dominic is one of the top Nollywood actors and Nigerian actresses. Her role interpretation is usually spot on.

18. Ini Edo

The lovely Ini Edo is a versatile Nigerian actress you will always love to watch. Her movie transition from a girl with a humble background to a graceful beauty is usually an exciting scene. She is one actress who endeared herself to Nigerians with her effortless acting skills.

19. Ini Dima-Okojie

Once an upcoming actress, now a prominent face, is the story of Ini Dima-Okojie. She is a talented Nigerian actress that has taken her acting career seriously and served us with her passion for acting, one character at a time. Her excellent performance in the movie North East has made it memorable for those who have seen it.

20. Omotola Jalade Eke

Omotola Jalade Eke is a lovable Nigerian actress who has starred in over 300 Nollywood films. That should say how talented she is. She is one of the famous names and has made such an indelible mark in the Nigerian film industry. 

21. Nse Ikpe-Etim

Nse Ikpe-Etim is another A-list Nigerian actress with good character interpretation skills. Her acting in the movie Mr. and Mrs. was excellent, for which she won an award.

22. Chioma Akpotha

Chioma Akpotha is an award-winning Nigerian actress who has thrilled Nigerians for many years with the different characters she assumes. She is one of those actors who have moved on to produce and direct their movies.

23. Nancy Isime

This Nigerian actress used to be referred to as an upcoming actress, but now her sterling performance has steadily moved her to stardom. Nancy Isime is one actress you see, and you can tell acting is more than a job for her.

24. Adesuwa Etomi

Adesuwa Etomi is one Nigerian actress that has captured many hearts with her feature film. It may be because of her role or her looks; we can’t tell. All we know is that she is one lovable actress you will always love to watch.

25. Jemima Osunade

Are you looking for an example of Nollywood actors who are professionals in two careers? This is she, Jemima Osunade. She is a Nollywood actress and a Doctor of Physiotherapy. From the looks of things and how she delivers on screen with her roles, she is doing pretty well juggling them. 

Yoruba Nigerian Actors and Actresses

26. Odunlade Adekola

Odunlade Adekola is a famous Nigerian actor in Yoruba movies. He is widely known for his lead role in Ishola Durojaye’s 2003 movie, Asiri Gomina Wa.

27. Femi Adebayo

Femi Adebayo Salami is another popular and versatile Nigerian actor that features mainly in Yoruba movies. He is widely known for his roles as Jelili and Sonto Alapata.

28. Saheed Balogun

Saheed Balogun is also a famous face in Yoruba movies. He is a Nigerian actor, filmmaker, and director.

29. Taiwo Hassan

Taiwo Hassan is a famous Nigerian actor known as Ogogo. His performance in the Yoruba movie as that character was awe-inspiring. It’s no surprise that the name stuck with him, and most fans would instead call him that than his real name.

30. Mercy Aigbe

Mercy Aigbe is an award-winning Yoruba actress who has contributed skill and talent to the Nollywood movie industry, especially in indigenous Yoruba movies.

31. Toyin Abraham

Toyin Abraham is a passionate Nigerian actress who has starred in several Nollywood Movies, including Yoruba and English movies.

This list of Nollywood actors and actresses are just a few of the many who have appeared in Yoruba films.

Other Nollywood Actors and Actresses

• Tonto Dikeh

• Rachael Okonkwo

• Chinyere Winfred

• Ebele Okonkwo

• Nonso Idiobi

• Stephanie Okereke Linus

• Ireti Doyle

• Sola Sobowale

• Alex Ekuubo

• Sandra Achum

• Halima Abubakar

• Queen Nkwoye

• Uche Jumbo

• Ufuoma McDermott

• Bimbo Oshin

• Chika Ike

• Omoni Oboli

• Kate Henshaw

• Kehinde Bankole

• Rahama Sadau

• Toni Tones 

• Tamara Eteimo

• Bukky Wright

• Carol King 

• Kiki Omeili

• Carmen Ejogo

• Chioma Okoye

• Hadiza Gabon

• Helen Paul

• Liz Benson

• Monalisa Chinda

• Francis Duru

• Lola Margaret

• Moji Olaiya

• Oge Okoye

• Nafisa Abdullahi

• Osas Ighodaro

• Regina Daniels

• Destiny Etiko

• Patience Ozokwor

• Iyabo Ojo

However, there are still some we haven’t mentioned. Our list of Nollywood actors and actresses here are just a few among several that we feel you will quickly identify.