As much as we’d love for them to, wicked people do not always meet misfortune. Sometimes, they have okay lives, find love, and live happily ever after with their equally wicked partners. These Nollywood ships are proof of that.

Akin and Goldie in “Brotherhood”

Some people might want to debate whether he’s a villain or she’s evil. But the last time we checked, they were both stealing and destroying other people’s properties across Lagos. 

Ebute Metta Bonnie and Clyde might’ve loved each other and had good reasons to steal their way through the state, but they’re still villains in this world.

King Ofotonku and Queen Oniyemofe in “Riona”

We’ve seen a lot of bad fathers parents in Nollywood, but King Ofotonku easily makes his way to the top five. Not only did he torment and frustrate his people, he sent orders to kill newborn babies, then turned his wickedness on his family by pitting his sons against each other and almost killing them multiple times. We would’ve considered exempting Queen Oniyemofe from her husband’s wickedness and evil, but who are we to separate what the gods of Oyomere — and the writers of Africa Magic — have joined together?

Apostle and Rachel in “No Way Through”

This couple carried their “For better or worse” vows on their heads and took it as far as they could because drug pushing, murder and attempted murder?

Apostle and his babe were playing no games. If you tried them, you’d collect.

Olayinka and Femi Ademola in “Blood Sisters”

We can point fingers at Uduak for having a favourite child all we want, but at the end of the day, it’s obvious that Olayinka and Femi had wickedness and greed swimming in their blood.

A little sibling rivalry is fine, but you and your wife hiring someone to unalive your brother is where we draw the line.

Oga Rambo and Adufe in “Far from Home” 

We’ll accept that Oga Rambo was on his own when trouble came knocking if he’ll accept that selling drugs and threatening to feed people to a hyena wasn’t very “I’m a good” person of him. Why did he even have a hyena? Oga Rambo was throwing threats and kidnapping people throughout the series, and if that wasn’t enough, he went on to recruit Adufe into his club of evil.

We know Adufe’s villain career started as a result of the men in her life showing her shege, but kidnapping, blackmail and attempted murder is a huge jump.

Tobore and Kiki in “Unbroken” 

At first, Tobore was only moving mad with the people who disrespected him and his businesses. Then he met Kiki, and together, they went about crushing everyone who crossed their path and tried to act insane with them.

Binta and Nuhu Bula in “Wrath and Revenge”

Nuhu liked to act like all the crimes Binta committed disgusted him, but he was enjoying the fruits of her hard work and licking his fingers right after. He might not have made the plane fall from the sky or kidnapped Dikko’s family himself, but everything that happened increased his chance of becoming the Governor of Kowa, and he liked it.

Nollywood has produced iconic villains over the years. From the seductress who might turn into a snake and eat your destiny to the street lord who can crush your skull with a flick of their wrist, you name it, and Nollywood’s done it. 

Now, every time a new Nollywood movie comes out, we all argue about who’ll beat who. 

As the peacemakers we are, we’ve decided to settle this once and for all.

Scar from Shanty Town vs Makanaki from King of Boys

We don’t think Scar would ever have the mind to leave his Shanty town and move into Makanaki’s terrain. But if, for some reason, this ever happened, these two would have a full-out turf war. Their seconds-in-command, Oja and Colorado, would fight it out, while Scar, feeling like the baddest, would try a one-on-one confrontation with Makanaki, leading to his severed head landing at Makanaki’s feet. Because did you really think Oja and her sword would fight with Colorado for more than three minutes?

Winner: Makanaki

Reason:  Scar is a street lord who’s scared of his boss, Chief Fernandez. Dame Dabota kidnapped him like she was a LAWMA agent picking up trash and threatened him into doing her bidding. But when Makanaki was in full-out war with the oga who taught him all he knew, Eniola Salami went for prayers to fortify herself against him.

Who was going to win?

Dame Maduka from Merry Men vs Dame Dabota from Shanty Town

They’d fight for political power. Dame Maduka would want to retain her place among the political elite, and Dame Dabota would have none of it. 

Winner: Dame Dabota

Reason: Dame Maduka may look like the obvious winner because of her escape from federal custody. But, we have to consider this fact, the woman is surrounded by people who don’t exactly care about her, it’ll be easy for Dame Dabota to repeat what she did with Scar and get them to handle Dame Maduka on her behalf. 

Uduak Ademola from Blood Sisters vs Eniola Salami from King of Boys

Very unlikely, but knowing Uduak, if they ever met, she’d think Eniola Salami below her and sneer her way into beef.

Winner: Eniola Salami

Reason: It’s Eniola Salami. The King of Boys would ignore Uduak and her low-budget John Wick assassin, Uncle B, while she deals with more important things. But when she’s finally ready for them? 

Odogwu Malaysia from King of Boys vs Knight from Sugar Rush

Odogwu Malaysia and Knight would work together for a while, until the foolishness of their boys causes beef.

Winner: Odogwu Malaysia

Reason: Odogwu Malay thinks of his men as family, one of them would mess up around Knight’s money, and Knight’ll do too much in retaliation. Odogwu Malaysia would have to show him exactly why he has a seat at Eniola Salami’s table. 

Anikulapo from Sugar Rush vs Chief Fernandez from Shanty Town

Anikulapo and Chief Fernandez would run in the same circle, but it’ll be a very haughty, catty relationship. Chief Fernandez would run for governor in their state, but Anikulapo would want his candidate in office, and that’s how their fight would start. While they’re fighting each other, Dame Dabota’s person would win the seat.

Winner: Nil

Reason: For starters, Anikulapo was once outsmarted by three sisters and two federal agents who were the butt of their organisation’s jokes, and Chief Fernandez was caught and sent to prison. Outside their love for bulletproof jazz, these two aren’t the smartest peas in the pod. 

Government from Far From Home vs Nze from Rattlesnake: The Ahanna Story

Government would give Nze his drugs to sell, and Nze being who he is, would break Government’s number one rule, “Never use the product”. Nze would try to outrun Government, but he’d simply take Amara, Nze’s sister, and wait for Nze to come running back.

Winner: Nze

Reason: Government’s biggest weakness is Oga Rambo and his wandering eye. He’d fall head over heels for Amara (have you seen that babe?), and she’d help him make so much money he’d put her in charge of the business. Amara would end up opening the door to the armadas (Nze’s group of criminal friends), and they’d clean Government and Oga Rambo out and leave them in their hyena’s cage.

Shadow from Brotherhood vs Ahanna from Rattlesnake: The Ahanna Story

Shadow and Ahanna would admire each other from a distance. They’d during a heist and would have no choice but to get into a shootout.

Winner: Nil

Reason: They’d try to continue with the mission. But Izra, best in betrayal, would shoot them both dead and leave with the money. 

The Invisible Man from Soole vs Male Saint from Dwindle

These two would work together but hate each other deeply. They’d eventually get into a blowout about the most minute thing — the gin Invisible man hid in his drawer.

Winner: Male Saint

Reason: Something about Male Saint’s quiet composure. Also, his juju-working mother would most likely know another way to kill the Invisible man that wouldn’t include a virgin’s piss.

RECOMMENDED: 12 Nollywood Villains That Can Get It

Over the years, Nollywood has mastered the art of villainy. They’ve moved from the wicked stepmother who wants to put sand in your romance garri, to the uncle that’ll use his connection with Amadioha to ruin your life and now to gun-wielding hotties that can kill with a single look.

We don’t know if it’s the menacing scowl, the questionable surplus wealth or the way they carry themselves, but these Nollywood villains can get it anytime, any day.

Shadow from Brotherhood

It might be the blonde hair or the cigar that permanently resides between his lips or the way he tells his boys to get out, but Shadow looks like someone that’ll slit your throat if you mess with his.

Makanaki from King of Boys

Makanaki in King of Boys 1 was dripping hot, but in KoB 2? With the eye patch, a renewed thirst for power and revenge, and Oja the sword swinger by his side? An unstoppable baby boy. He had the power and was not afraid to use it.

Dame Maduka from Merry Men

Can’t lie, her taste in men is questionable, but other than that, Dame “I am a corrupt politician, watch me roar” Maduka gave sugar mummy that just wants to put your head on her chest and spoil you with her ill-gotten wealth as long as you stay out of her way.

Chief Fernandez from Shanty Town

Kink aside, Chief and his juju man need to drop their political aspirations and take up ASMR as soon as possible. The man only needs to look you in the eyes and say your name for you to offer up your blood for his next fortification.

Male Saint from Dwindle

The man wears all black, is fortified by his mother and can shoot your head off in 0.5 seconds. What more could you ask for?

Young Eniola Salami from King of Boys

Eni baby looks like a sugar baby turned sugar mummy. If you act right and eliminate her enemies, you’re set for life. 

Old Eniola Salami from King of Boys

A whole oba? Eniola Salami would turn you into a polyglot and have you calling her mummy in all the Nigerian languages.  

READ: Naija Street Jams That Are Actually Love Songs

Dame Dabota from Shanty Town

The cut-and-join British accent aside, Dame Dabota looks like she’d definitely send her baddie bodyguards to deal with anyone that hurts her baby. She’ll treat you to a good-ass meal and drag an apology out of them. Dame can step on us with her koinkoin shoe any day, anytime. 

Government from Far From Home 

A principled man. He looks like he won’t even introduce you to his shady business. You’ll just be in a townhouse in Lekki, and he’ll come visiting every other Saturday. All he has to do is give you his signature smile, and it’s over for you.

Olayinka in Blood Sisters

A determined and focused woman. Miss mamas doesn’t even have to drop her husband. We’ll happily enter the marriage as a third. 

Lady G in Abuja Top Ladies

Look cute for her and ensure nobody tramples on her ambitions, and Lady G would show you the best time ever. She’ll take you everywhere and make sure your husband and sugar baby stay in line. 

Odogwu Malay from King of Boys

It’s the way he speaks Igbo, and his respect and loyalty to his Oba for us. All we want is for him to call us sweet names in Igbo, and we’ll leave before Makanaki shows up.

Oga Rambo from Far From Home

Oga Rambo looks like the type that’ll slap you into next week if you cut eye for his babe. A man that’s willing and ready to take care of you and let you in on the family business is a man that can get all he wants.

Nollywood has a way of typecasting actors and locking them in certain boxes. While this has it’s issues, it also has its advantages and one of which is that we got to have a slew of Nollywood actors that were amazing at playing the villains and better yet, who were recognizable as villain-actors.

Today, we decided to rank our top five Nollywood villain-actors.

5. Chiwetalu Agu

See, I adore Chiwetalu Agu in his villain roles. But he is more or less a domestic villain with very simple motivations. Steal his brother’s land, his brother’s wife etc. However, he more than makes up for the lack of grandiosity with his premium banter and trademark Igbo proverbs in every movie. It is a bit hard to not root for him while he makes the life of everyone else unbearable. 

4. Clem Ohameze

See Clem? When he plays a villain, he doesn’t waste time deciding if he wants to get initiated or trying to weigh good and bad, my guy is oftentimes already a senior member of the cult, he is offering his house up to be used for meetings and is already making bank from the rituals. No time to waste time. 

3. Eucharia Anunobi

Eucharia isn’t particularly known for her villain roles but when she plays a villain she serves looks! Extra thin brows, stacked up hair, dramatic eye-shadows and flowing gowns. Helena Boham-Carter in Harry Potter was found shaking!

2. Kanayo O. Kanayo

Arguably the best part of Kanayo’s villain roles is that he always has a clear and very relatable objective – make money at all cost. And you know what? I absolutely get it. Kanayo makes it to the top of this list because he always kills his targets before the second act of the movie and does his money rituals as soon as possible. Sure he’ll meet his waterloo before the movie ends but I appreciate a king that puts his back into it and quickly.

1. Patience Ozokwor

There’s just a certain flavour when Patience Ozokwor plays a villain in a Nollywood movie. The stares, the eye rolls, the way she slowly unwraps the poison she has tied in her wrapper before putting it in your plate of soup. It is simply exquisite. Her grace, her wickedness. Name someone better at the game than her, I’ll wait.