Queens of Nollywood

In Nollywood, there will never be a shortage of badass women. From the ones fighting to live life the way they want, to the criminal masterminds dominating every room they walk in, here are all the times Nollywood reminded us that women are all that and a little more.

Alhaja Eniola Salami in King of Boys 1 & 2

It’s only right we start this off with THE King of boys. Eniola Salami came into the game with nothing and built an empire. She ran circles around all the men that underestimated her,and even when it looked like she had met her end, she still came out on top.

Kemi Salami in King of Boys 1

Kemi Salami lived a short life, but she lived it well. She didn’t take crap from anyone, and made sure everyone understood not to mess with her or her mother. She was a force to reckon with.

Isoken in Isoken

In a country that looks down on unmarried women past a certain age, Isoken found a way to live life on her own terms. She did what she wanted, fell for the person her heart chose, and refused to let anyone have a say in her life and happiness. Even when the loudest person was her mother.

Adaeze Obiagu in Lionheart

Adaeze had to constantly remind herself of who she was and what she had. She was constantly trying to figure out how to keep her father’s company afloat, even while working through all the self-doubt and insecurities that tried to sideline her goal. One of the baddest for real.

Lulu in Potato Pohtato

Unhappy in her marriage, Lulu divorced her husband, but instead of leaving him in the house they’d built together, she decided to stay there without a care in the world. Good for her, because she poured her money and sweat into it and deserved to live there too.

Enakhe and Jacinta in Enakhe

Enakhe and Jacinta had to take over their fathers’ criminal dealings after their fathers’ deaths. They fell in love, fell out of it, built families, ran their gangs with iron fists and fought anyone in Edo state that dared to question their authority, all without breaking a nail.

Ebere in The Mystic River

A heavily pregnant Ebere found herself at the mercy of spiriutal forces and had to fight to protect herself, her husband, and their unborn child. She goes through the series using one hand to fight off these forces and the other to discover new, chilling facts about herself.

Matilda Rishante in The Rishantes

The matriarch of her family and Nigeria’s first female senate president, Matilda

moves around with her head up high because she knows she’s the one, and no one can tell her otherwise. She put her family and business on the map and earned her seat in government. Anyone who didn’t like it could get lost.

Sista in Sista

It doesn’t get more badass than Sista. She fought hard to create a good life for her children, and worked her fingers to the bone take care of them. We got goosebumps when she threatened Fola and told him no one could take them from her.

Kemi in Blood Sisters

We’re absolutely here for Kemi and the lengths she went to protect Sarah. From accidentally murdering her abuser, to running from the police, Kemi decided Sarah was her sister, and if she didn’t have enough strength to fight for herself, she was going to fight on her behalf.

Aiyetide in This Lady Called Life

After being tossed out of her mother’s house and having her baby, Aiyetide still fought. She fought through her demons and the trauma of her past to realise her dream of becoming a chef, and in taking care of her son.

Chioma Munachi

July 4, 2023

Pop, Queens of Nollywood

nollywood actresses
Since her appearance in Super Story, Kehinde Bankole has been consistent on our TV screens with outstanding performances that leave lasting impressions. Whether acting as a zealous single mother or scheming wife, she’s always phenomenal.

She’s one of the most versatile actresses in the Nigerian movie industry and these movies are proof.

Sista (2023)

https://youtu.be/LhDCxb3z4k0

Released in 2022, the Biodun Stephen-directed picture tells the story of a struggling single mother that fought tooth and nail to protect her children from their absent father when suddenly returned to get their attention. Kehinde Bankole starred as lead character Sistá, alongside reputable actors like Deyemi Okanlawo and Bisola Aiyeola.

October 1st (2014)

This Kunle Afolayan’s 2014 blockbuster explored mystery and gender-based violence in a local community. Kehinde Bankole acts as Tawa, an impressive school teacher, beside the late Sadiq Dana, Kayode Olaiya and Ibrahim Chatta.

Blood Sisters (2022)

This Ebonylife and Netflix’s production is undoubtedly one of the most talked about Nigerian limited TV series of 2022. Kehinde Bankole plays Yinka, a wife in crime, alongside Gabriel Afolayan, Nancy Isime and Ramsey Nouah.

Love Castle (2021)

Kehinde Bankole features as Adetutu in this Desmond Elliot-directed epic alongside Lateef Adedimeji and Halima Abubakar. Although the movie’s primarily about the battle for power, it also explores disability and cultural differences.

The Set Up 1 & 2 (2019 and 2022)

Kehinde Bankole teams up with Dakore Akande and Adesua Etomi-Wellington for this crime-thriller Nollywood film. Two ladies work in the underworld in order to survive. This is another action-packed production with stellar performances from Kehinde.

Prophetess (2021)

This Niyi Akinmolayan-directed comedy was majorly shot in Ibadan, and it tells a story of a prophetess who predicts football matches and her uncontrollable dabble into betting. It features Kehinde Bankole with other skilled actors like Toyin Abraham, Lateef Adedimeji and Kunle Remi.

Mama Drama (2020)

Kehinde Bankole features in this film that explores fertility issues and surrogacy. She acts as a surrogate who fell in love with her client’s husband. In this intense drama, she stars alongside Shaffy Bello, Osas Ighodalo and Kunle Remi.

Tomide Marv

June 6, 2023

Pop, Queens of Nollywood

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Nigeria is frustrating so it’s understandable that people are choosing to let their eyes do the talking. But if you want to up your bombastic side-eye game and make people shiver with that cold stare, you might want to learn from these Nollywood queens.

Sola Sobowale

Her bombastic side eye is the blueprint for African mothers. It works perfectly when you need to give a scolding in public without speaking.

Patience Ozokwor

Think of your disciplinarian granny and you’ll get the gist of Mama G’s side eye. Use this one with caution.

Mercy Johnson

You need this one in your bombastic side eye kit as a woman. It’s the one you give your man when he’s exhibiting annoying behaviors.

Funke Akindele

This is the African aunty bombastic side eye. A must-have if you have nephews and cousins that have to be kept in line without raising a finger.

Mide Martins

Giving strong “try me” energy, this is the side eye you need for street credibility. Use it when you find yourself in street brawls.

Lola Idije

A brother or sister is capping effortlessly and you’re bearing witness to it all? This is the side eye that puts them in their place.

Adeyinka Odutuyo

May 31, 2023

Pop, Queens of Nollywood

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How do you make a Nollywood movie pop? You throw in a wicked stepmother to frustrate your protagonist. However, many times the stepmother just ends up being the star of the movie.

Today, we are ranking the five Nollywood step mothers who gave us unbelievable joy whenever they came on screen.

5. Shola Sobwale

Before I fell in love with Shola Sobowale in King Of Boys, I fell in love with her Super Story. During that era, Shola starred in several roles where she redefined the art of being a step mother and the art of insulting people.

4.Ngozi Ezeonu

In the earlier days of her career, Ngozi Ezeonu was the one who was victimized by her husband’s other wife and that was a fun watch. But when she turned the table around and became the one doing the victimization, I was intrigued. I won’t say much but this woman played so many roles taunting and torturing Mercy Johnson that I can’ t help but wonder if Mercy Johnson has nightmares featuring Ngozi Ezeonu.

3. Eucharia Anunobi

I would actually not mind having Eucharia Anunobi for my step mother. Granted, she would kill my dad by making her sugar baby throw him off a balcony but at least we’ll bond by doing each other’s makeup and drawing thin eyebrows for each other.

2.Clarion Chukwuka

Let me start by saying that as a kid, I was wildly obsessed with Clarion Chukwuka growing up. The sage and anti-men advice, the wild hair colors, her nails which rivals Cardi B’s and her general iconic-ness. I can’t believe Nollywood made her into the bad guy for wanting her daughters and step-daughters to decenter men and seek reparations.
1. Patience Ozokwor
If you google ‘step mother in Nollywood’ you are likely going to see loads of videos and images of Patience Ozokwor because this woman is the genre itself. No one else can be simultaneously oppressing a whole village, her step daughter and her husband. The devil works hard, Kris Jenner works harder, but you see Patience Ozokwor? She outworked, outsold, and outdid them. No one is like her. No one has invented and reinvented the act of shadiness backed by sly and unprovoked wickedness quite like she has in Nollywood. We salute a queen.
Desmond

March 25, 2021

Pop, Queens of Nollywood

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Admit it. You’ve always wanted to know which of the OG Nollywood campus babes you are. Now you can, just take this quiz and find out which of these bad bitches you are on the inside.

For more like this, check out Zikoko Memes

Desmond

January 19, 2021

Pop, Queens of Nollywood, Quizzes

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When it comes to old Nollywood realness, we all know that the women were the ones who came on the scene and served hard. We’ve decided to honour legendary actresses who still impact the movie industry decades after their debut.

Today, we honour the elegant Stephanie Okereke Linus.

Stephanie Okereke Linus has been in the movie industry for over two decades. She was a teenager when she appeared in two Nollywood movies, Compromise 2 and Waterloo in 1997.

Born on the 2nd of October 1982 in Ngor Okpala, Imo state, Stephanie’s dream was to become an actress. While she was still in secondary school, was actively involved in the drama community and after graduating, she went on to study English and Literary Studies in the University of Calabar. It was in the university that she began to attend auditions and eventually snagged her roles in Compromise 2 and Waterloo which earned her an award for Most Promising Actress in Nigeria and another for the Best New Actress to Watch Out For at the African Movie Academy Awards and the Africa Magic Viewers Choice Awards.

Stephanie also has repute as a model. In 2002, she emerged second place in the Most Beautiful Girl in Nigeria beauty pageant.

In 2007, Stephanie released her first movie Through the Looking Glass in which she worked as director, scriptwriter, producer, and actress. The movie was nominated for Best Screenplay in the African Academy Awards in 2009.

In 2011, Stephanie was honoured by the Nigerian government with a National Honour (Member of the Order of the Federal Republic, MFR) which is an award given to a celebrity in Nigeria who has contributed immensely to the economic growth of the country through entertainment.

In 2014, Stephanie released another movie, Dry, which she wrote, directed, produced and acted in. The movie won many awards including the 12th Africa Movie Academy Awards and 2016 Africa Magic Viewers Choice Awards’ best movie overall movie with the prize of a brand new car.

In April 2012 Stephanie got married to Linus Idahosa in Paris, France, at a private wedding ceremony. The couple have a son, Maxwell Enosata Linus, born in 2015.

Stephanie is our Woman Crush Forever!

Want more posts about legendary Queens Of Nollywood? Then you should check out our Queens Of Nollywood archive.

Kunle Ologunro

January 31, 2020

Pop, Queens of Nollywood

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When it comes to old Nollywood realness, we all know that the women were the ones who came on the scene and served hard. We’ve decided to honour legendary actresses who still impact the movie industry decades after their debut.

Today, we honour the charming Idowu Philips.

Idowu Philips (Iya Rainbow) was born on the 16th of October, 1942 in Ijebu Ode, Ogun state, where she had her primary and secondary education. She was admitted into the nursing school and became certified as a nurse. For over 20 years she worked as a certified nurse in general hospitals across Nigeria and acted occasionally in the theatre. She was married to the late Augustine Ayanfemi Philips who worked with Hubert Ogunde’s theatre group.

In 1986, after her husband’s death, Idowu Philips retired from nursing and ventured into full-time acting as a member of Hubert Ogunde’s theatre group. Her stage name Iya Rainbow is from the name of the theatre group Osumare, meaning Rainbow.

Over the course of her career, Iya Rainbow has featured in several Nigerian films. At present, she features in Airtel ads as a Nigerian mother-in-law and always brings joy to our faces.

We stan a dynamic queen!

Kunle Ologunro

January 17, 2020

Pop, Queens of Nollywood

Idowu Philips, Iya Rainbow
An elegant queen.

She was born on the 3rd of May 1979 in Mbaise, Imo State as the fourth of eight children. Along with being an actor, she’s also a producer, director, entrepreneur, and former model. She attended Methodist Girls School and the University of Lagos, graduating with a bachelor’s degree in creative arts

Nnaji began her career as a child actor in the 1987 television soap opera, Ripples. She was just 8 years old at the time. During her time in university, she began auditioning for acting jobs. Her first major movie role was in the 1998 movie, Most Wanted. She went on to star in other movies like Camouflage (1999), Love Boat (1999), Sharon Stone (2001), Blood Sister (2002), Battle Line (2002), etc.

In 2004, Nnaji signed a recording contract with EKB Records, a Ghanaian record label, and released her debut album, One Logologo Line.^[12] It is a mix of R&B, Hip-Hop, and Urban music. The album spawned the single “No More” which was widely ridiculed by Nigerians due to how terrible a song it was. However, it was later praised for being a lowkey feminist anthem that was way ahead of its time.

She produced her first movie in 2015 titled Road To Yesterday, and it went on to win the best movie at the 2016 Africa Magic Viewers Choice Awards. Her directorial debut, titled Lion Heart, was released in 2018 and was immediately acquired by Netflix (making it the first Netflix original film from Nigeria). In the same year, she also starred in the movie Farming, the directorial debut of American based Nigerian actor, Adewale Akinnuoye-Agbaje. She appeared alongside Kate Beckinsale, Damson Idris, and Gugu Mbatha-Raw.

She has featured in many commercials. In 2004, she was the face of Lux beauty soap, appeared in ads for Omo detergent and Pronto beverage. In 2008, she launched the clothing line, St Genevieve.

All hail a queen!

Astor George

September 23, 2019

Queens of Nollywood

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When it comes to old Nollywood realness, we all know that the women were the ones who came on the scene and served hard. We’ve decided to take a week to honour seven legendary actresses who still impact the movie industry decades after their debut.

Today, we honour the magnificent Omotola Jalade Ekeinde.

Born on the 7th of February 1978, Omosexy (a nickname she was given by fans for obvious reasons) is a Nigerian actress, singer, philanthropist, and former model. She wasborn into a family of five and attended Chrisland School and Command Secondary School for her secondary education. She started her tertiary school education at Obafemi Awolowo University and completed it at Yaba College of Technology where she studied Estate Management.

Omotola’s original ambition was to work in Business Management. While waiting for her results after university, she began modelling to earn a living. During this time, she accompanied a friend to the auditions for the 1995 movie, Venom of Justice. She somehow ended up getting the lead role in the movie and caught the acting bug. Her role in the 1996 movie Mortal Inheritance gained her critical acclaim and mainstream recognition, shooting her into the list of A-list actors in Nollywood. She went on to star in such movies as Scores to Settle (1998), Lost Kingdom (1999), Blood Sisters (2003), Games Women Play (2005) etc.

After over 300 straight-to-video releases, Omotola starred in her first cinematic release in 2010. The movie, named Ije: The Journey, reunited Omotola with her Blood Sisters co-star, Genevieve Nnaji and was shot in parts of Nigeria and the United States. It became the highest-grossing movie at the time (until it dethroned by 2012’s Phone Swap).

In 2005, Omotola launched a music career with the release of her debut album titled, Gba. The album produced the singles Naija Lowa and the less commercially successful The Things You Do To Me. The singles Feel Alright and Through the Fire were released to promote her sophomore album. The album, though recorded, was never released for unknown reasons.

She married Captain Matthew Ekeinde in 1996 and had a white ceremony in 2001 that took place onboard a Dash 7 aircraft flying from Lagos to Benin. Together, they have four children.

Here’s to many more years of Omosexy gracing us with her many talents.

Astor George

September 20, 2019

Queens of Nollywood

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When it comes to old Nollywood realness, we all know that the women were the ones who came on the scene and served hard. We’ve decided to take a week to honour seven legendary actresses who still impact the movie industry decades after their debut.

Today, we honour the resplendent Clarion Chukwura.

Clarion Chukwura (real name: Clara Nneka Oluwatoyin Folashade Chukwurah) is a Nigerian actress and humanitarian. She was born on the 24th of July, 1964 and comes from Anambra state.

She had her nursery school education in Lagos and then attended Queen of the Rosary College, Onitsha for secondary education. Knowing that she wanted a career in acting, she proceeded to study Acting and Speech in the Department of Dramatic Arts at the Obafemi Awolowo University.

She began her acting career in 1980 and got her first movie role in 1982’s Money Power, a film by veteran Nigerian filmmaker, Ola Balogun. She gained more recognition when she landed a role on the popular 1984 television soap opera, Mirror in the Sun. She was the first Nigerian to win the Best Actress award at the 1982 FESPASCO film festival in Burkina Faso.

Chukwura is known for playing rich, wealthy, and flamboyant characters. Since her Nollywood debut in 1984, she has starred in the following movies: Fiery Force, Money Power, Farewell to Babylon, Igbotic Love (LMAO), Forbidden Choice etc.

Chukwurah with her son, Clarence Peters.

Chukwurah has been married three times and is the mother of popular music video director, Clarence Peters whose father is musician, Shina Peters. She met him while they were both filming Money Power. She is the recipient of many acting awards and has been recognised as a peace ambassador by the United Nations for her charity work across Africa.

Here’s to many more years of this legend living her best life.

Astor George

September 19, 2019

Queens of Nollywood

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When it comes to old Nollywood realness, we all know that the women were the ones who came on the scene and served hard. We’ve decided to take a week to honour seven legendary actresses who still impact the movie industry decades after their debut.

Today, we honour the eloquent Joke Silva.

Born on the 29th of September 1961, Joke Silva attended the secondary school Holy Child Girl’s College in Lagos, after which she went into acting. During this time, she moved to London to study drama at Webber Douglas Academy of Dramatic Arts, a decision her parents were initially opposed to but eventually came to terms with (when her career began to take off). She later returned to Nigerian to study English at the University of Lagos.

Silva has starred in many English and Yoruba movies. Her earliest known role was in the 1990 English language movie titled Mind Bending. In 1998, she starred in the British-Canadian film titled The Secret Laughter of Women alongside Colin Firth and Nia Long. Some other movies she appeared in around that period are Owulorojo (1993), Violated (1995), Keeping Faith (2002), Shylock (2004), and many others.

Her performances have garnered her critical acclaim and many awards. For her role in 2006’s Women’s Cot, she won the award for Best Actress In A Leading Role at the Africa Movie Academy Awards (AMAA). She won another AMAA – this time for Best Supporting Actress – for her role in 2007’s White Waters, and again for her role in 2018’s Potato Patahto. She has a knack for appearing in critically acclaimed movies like 30 Days (2006), Amazing Grace (2008), Phone Swap (2011) etc.

In 2016, She won the lifetime achievement award from the AMAA.

Silvia is married to fellow thespian, Olu Jacobs, who she met at the National Arts Theatre in 1981, and together, they have two children. Below is an excerpt from an interview in which Jacobs describes his first meeting with Silva:

“I was having a meeting at the National Theatre and the door opened a young lady came in. I looked at her. I have never met her before in my life and I said to the people in the room ‘ladies and gentlemen, this is the lady I am going to marry’. Everybody laughed. She looked at me up and down, hissed and left. Today, she is my wife.”

Jacobs and Silva in 1988, performing at the National Arts Theatre in a play titled Holy Child.

In addition to her continued work as an actress, Silva is a strong supporter of women empowerment and emancipation. She helps the cause by contributing to their education at the Lufodo Academy of Performing Arts, at which she is the director of studies.

Here’s to many more years of this once in a lifetime talent gracing our screens.

Check back tomorrow (19/9/2019) when we honour another Nollywood actress.

Astor George

September 18, 2019

Queens of Nollywood

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When it comes to old Nollywood realness, we all know that the women were the ones who came on the scene and served hard. We’ve decided to take a week to honour seven legendary actresses who still impact the movie industry decades after their debut.

Today, we honour the delectable Regina Askia.

A literal queen of beauty.

Along with being a (former) actress and model, Regina Askia-Williams (born Imaobong Regina Askia Usoro), is a healthcare and educational activist, television writer, producer, and public speaker.

In 1988, Askia was crowned Miss Unilag (after transferring from the University of Calabar as a medical student). She competed in that year’s Most Beautiful Girl in Nigeria contest and came in second place (even though she was the crowd’s favourite). She eventually held the title position the following year when the girl that won, Bianca Onoh, resigned.

Her time in the pageant circuit helped her launch a modelling career on the runway, along with print and television commercials. Her big break in the world of acting came in 1993 when she was cast in early 90s television soap opera, Fortunes, as the gold-digging Tokunbo Johnson.

Askia’s was able to parlay the critical acclaim she got for her role in Fortunes into a full-fledged acting career in Nollywood. She starred in a ton of movies during the 90s and early 2000s like Most Wanted, Full Moon, Highway To The Grave, Suicide Mission, Man Snatcher (LMAO), and many others. At the height of her fame, she was compared to Elizabeth Taylor and commanded N300,000 per role. Remember that this was in the 90s and early 2000s, so N300k was a huge deal.

With a degree in Biology, Askia quit acting in 2007 and moved to the United States to become a registered nurse. She earned her nurse practitioner degree from Wagner College and is now a family nurse practitioner in New York City. She is married to Ruldoph Williams and they have three kids together.

Askia has no regrets leaving the glamorous world of Nollywood behind. During a question & answer session on her Instagram page, she said that she is fulfilled with being a nurse, as it is a career that feeds her body and soul.

Though we miss seeing her on screens, we’re just happy that she’s out there living her best life. Because isn’t that what we all hope for?

Check back tomorrow (18/9/2019) when we honour another Nollywood actress, Joke Silva.

Astor George

September 17, 2019

Queens of Nollywood

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When it comes to old Nollywood realness, we all know that the women were the ones who came on the scene and served hard. We’ve decided to take a week to honour seven legendary actresses who still impact the movie industry decades after their debut.

Today, we honour the incomparable Liz Benson.

The Queen of grace and radiance.

Elizabeth Benson Ameye (popularly known as Liz Benson) was born on the 5th of April, 1966. She started her career as an actress at the age of 5 and went on to attend Sylvania State College in the United States of America, bagging a degree in Dramatic Arts.

Now we know the source of her superior acting skills.

She appeared in a few things but didn’t cause any buzz until she got the part of Mrs Agnes Johnson on the popular early 90s television soap opera, Fortunes (which ran for about two years). Her role in 1994’s controversial movie, Glamour Girls, shot into the limelight, turning her into one of the most sought after actresses in early Nollywood.

By 1996, she had warmed her way into the heart of movie lovers in Nigeria. However, during this time, a period which is considered the height of her career, Liz suddenly quit acting. Rumour has it that she gave her life to Christ and began preaching the gospel. She returned a year later in 1997’s Back To Life. It was after this quick break that she played one of her most iconic roles till date in the movie, Diamond Ring (1998) and its sequel (released the same year).

Liz Benson in Diamond Ring (1998). In it, she plays a rich dead woman who is super pissed about her tomb being robbed and proceeds to haunt the shit out of all the people involved. Go check it out if you haven’t. It’s a blast.

She went on to grace television screens in movies like Witches (1998), Chain Reaction (1999), World Apart (2004), Women in Power (2005), Crazy Passion (2005) and many others. Benson took another break from acting in 2007 when she met the man who would become her second husband, Bishop Great Ameye. They got married in 2009 and, together, run a church ministry named Freedom Family Assembly.

She returned to screens in 2014 and appeared in films like Dry (2014), Dearest Mummy (2015), Hilarious Hilary (2015), and Lizard Life (2017). Benson doesn’t act as much as she used to. She says she has found her purpose in “counselling people based on the word of God” but still appears in movies that, according to her, pass on good morals and propagate the gospel.

Here’s to many more years of seeing this goddess on our screens.

Check back tomorrow (17/9/2019) when we honour another Nollywood about actress and one time Most Beautiful Girl In Nigeria, Regina Askia.

Astor George

September 16, 2019

Queens of Nollywood

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