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.
Entertainment
Funke Akindele’s Behind The Scenes Crosses ?1.77bn
Funke Akindele’s Behind The Scenes becomes Nollywood’s highest-grossing film of 2025, earning ?1.77bn in under four weeks.
Multi-award-winning actress and producer Funke Akindele has done it again, and this time, the numbers speak louder than applause.
Her latest film, Behind The Scenes, has officially emerged as the highest-grossing Nollywood film of 2025, pulling in an astonishing ?1.767 billion in less than four weeks.
The Tide Entertainment reports that Funke Akindele Makes Box Office History as Behind The Scenes Crosses ?1.77bn
Earlier in its release cycle, the film’s distributor, FilmOne Entertainment, revealed that Behind The Scenes smashed five opening-weekend records, including the highest single-day gross ever recorded on Boxing Day, with ?129.5 million in one day. That announcement already hinted that something unusual was unfolding.
Reacting to the milestone, FilmOne described the moment as both surreal and communal, crediting audience loyalty for pushing the film to the top spot once again as the number-one movie of the weekend. And that sentiment feels accurate. This wasn’t just ticket sales; it was momentum.
What makes this achievement even more striking is that Behind The Scenes is Funke Akindele’s third film to cross the ?1 billion mark. Before now, there was A Tribe Called Judah, and then Everybody Loves Jenifa, a film that didn’t just open big, but went on to become the highest-grossing Nollywood film of all time. At this point, it’s no longer a fluke. It’s a pattern.
Part of Behind The Scenes’ success lies in strategy. The film enjoyed advanced screenings on December 10 and 11, quietly building curiosity and conversation before its nationwide release on December 12. By the time it officially hit cinemas, audiences already felt like they needed to see it.
Then there’s the cast. The film brings together a lineup that feels deliberately stacked: Scarlet Gomez, Iyabo Ojo, Destiny Etiko, Tobi Bakre, Uche Montana, and several others. Familiar faces, strong fan bases, and performances that kept word-of-mouth alive long after opening weekend.
Still, beyond timing and casting, there’s something else at work here. Funke Akindele understands Nigerian audiences. Their humour, their pacing, their emotional buttons. She doesn’t guess, she calculates, experiments, listens, and refines. That understanding has slowly turned into box-office dominance.
Behind The Scenes crossing ?1.77 billion isn’t just another headline; it’s confirmation. Funke Akindele has moved from being a successful actress to becoming one of the most reliable commercial forces Nollywood has ever produced. Three-billion-naira films don’t happen by luck. They happen when storytelling, business sense, and audience trust align.
And right now, that alignment seems firmly in her hands.
Entertainment
Adekunle Gold, Simi Welcome Twin Babies
Popular Nigerian music stars, Adekunle Kosoko, widely known as Adekunle Gold, and his wife, Simi, have become parents again this time to twins.
The award-winning singer shared the joyful update on his Snapchat story on Wednesday, confirming the expansion of their family.
“Asked God for another child and he blessed me double,” she wrote.
While the couple has not yet disclosed the gender of the newborns, the announcement has sparked an outpouring of warm wishes from admirers, fellow celebrities, and industry colleagues.
Speculation had intensified in December when Simi posted a video on Instagram accompanied by the caption, “From my baby, for my babies.”
The clip showed her with a growing baby bump, fueling anticipation that another child was on the way.
Their latest blessings arrive just weeks after Simi highlighted a scene from Adekunle Gold’s newly released music video, “My Love is the Same,” further stirring excitement among fans.
The Tide Entertainment reports that Adekunle Gold and Simi who tied the knot in 2019 after a long history of friendship and musical synergy remain one of Nigeria’s most admired entertainment power couples. Both artistes were once signed to X3M Music before soaring into mainstream acclaim.
The pair welcomed their first child, Adejare Kosoko, fondly called Deja, in May 2020.
Entertainment
Jesse Flames Opens 2026 With ‘Praise The Lord’ Featuring Magnito
After closing out 2025 with the release of “Praise the Lord” featuring Magnito, Jesse Flames enters the new year with renewed clarity and purpose, continuing to build a body of work rooted in intention rather than noise. In a moment where Afrobeats is moving faster and louder than ever, his approach remains measured and deliberate, prioritizing meaning, craft, and longevity over momentary attention. The official music video arrives January 10.
Following the momentum of his breakout single “FLEX,” “Praise the Lord” represents a shift from celebration to grounding. Reflective and soulful, the record centers gratitude, growth, and perspective, capturing a quieter confidence that resonates beyond a single moment.
“This song is about recognizing the full picture,” Jesse shares. “The work people see and the work they don’t. The lessons, the setbacks, the growth.”
The collaboration with Magnito, a respected voice in Nigerian hip hop known for his sharp lyricism and cultural authenticity, adds depth and weight to the record, reinforcing its themes of resilience, faith, and self reflection.
Released in December at the height of Detty December, “Praise the Lord” became a natural soundtrack for both celebration and reflection as the year came to a close. With the video arriving in January, the record takes on new meaning, opening the year as a tone setter rather than a reset.
Born in the United States, raised in Festac, Lagos, and now based in London, Jesse Flames brings a global perspective to his sound, blending Afrobeats, hip hop, and melodic soul into something sleek and intentional. His music reflects lived experience and cultural nuance rather than trend chasing.
The Tide Entertainment reports that with over 11 million streams, performances at O2 Brixton Academy and OVO Arena Wembley, and coverage from The Guardian and Business Post Nigeria, Jesse’s rise has been steady and self made. Looking ahead to 2026 and 2027, he is preparing for collaborations with Ice Prince, M.I Abaga, and Smurlee.
“Praise the Lord” ft. Magnito is available now on all streaming platforms.
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