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100 Nollywood Actresses and Their State of Origin and Tribe

100 Nollywood Actresses and Their State of Origin and Tribe
Nollywood actresses and their state of origin and tribe

When it comes to some of the most talented actresses in the global film industry, Nollywood is certainly not lacking. From veteran actresses such as Joke Silva to new actresses on the block, there are more than enough Nigerian actresses that make Nollywood the vibrant industry it is today. 

These actresses consistently nail it out of the park with their outstanding talent and impressive delivery, to top it all off, they also do a good job of representing their cultural heritage, whether that’s on-screen or off-screen.

From epic dramas to modern romantic comedies, and TV series, these leading women of Nollywood have made a name for themselves by constantly striving to dominate the industry, one role after another.

In this article, we take a deep dive into 100 Nollywood actresses, their state of origin, and the tribe they belong to. This list will give you needed insight into some of your favourite stars, or familiar faces you’re getting to know.

Table of Contents

1. Destiny Etiko

Starting strong, we have Destiny Etiko, a renowned actress who never fails to astound fans and critics alike with her impressive acting skills, the actress who has starred in roles such as Idemili, and Power of Royalty, among others is an Igbo woman by tribe from Enugu State. 

2. Bimbo Ademoye

The queen of comedy and romance herself, Bimbo Ademoye has stolen the hearts of fans with her endearing personality, beautiful look, and impressive acting skills. The actress is a true Lagosian from Lagos State and Yourba by tribe.

3. Uche Nancy

Uche Nancy is another big name in Nollywood, the actress made a name for herself in the industry through hard work and endless epic movie roles. She is an Igbo woman from Anambra State.

4. Nancy Isime

Nigerian actress, model, TV personality, and Nollywood sweetheart, Nancy Isime continues to win us over with the most unforgettable roles and movie credits, the Superstar actress is from the Esan tribe in Edo State.

5. Omotola Jalade

Omotola Jalade has been a household name and fan favorite in the Nigerian movie scene since her Nollywood film debut in 1995. Fondly known as Omosexy by true Nollywood fans, she is a true Yoruba queen from Ondo State.

6. Chizzy Alichi

Chigozie Stephanie Alichi, popularly known as Chizzy Alichi, is a Nigerian film actress known for her astounding roles in epic Nollywood movies. She is from Enugu State and Igbo by tribe.

7. Uju Okoli

In true Nollywood fashion, Uji Okoli is another one of Nollywood’s sweethearts because of her brilliance and beauty. The well-sought-after, multi-talented actress is an Igbo woman from Imo State. 

8. Chika Ike

Chika Ike has been in the Nollywood industry for as long as we can remember, the Nigerian actress has starred in movies such as Mirror of Beauty, Small Chops, and others. She’s a member of the Igbo tribe from Anambra State and according to her IMDb profile, she’s also a UN ambassador.

9. Ini Edo

Ini Edo is one of the most popular IT girls of Nollywood, the Nigerian actress has appeared in many old Nollywood movies that remain timeless. This Nollywood IT girl is of Ibibio descent and hails from Akwa Ibom. 

10. Chinenye Ubah

Chinenye Ubah first graced our screens in 2016 with the movie Akweke as Princess Ebube and has been a fan favourite ever since. She is a part of the beautiful Igbo community from Anambra State. 

11. Rachael Okonkwo 

Nnenna Rachael Okonkwo, popularly Known as Nkoli Nwa Nsukka is a Nigerian film actress best known for the 2014 film, Nkoli Nwa Nsukka which skyrocketed her to fame and earned her a nickname. The actress is an Igbo woman from Enugu state. 

12. Mercy Johnson

Mercy Johnson is an A-list actor who nailed roles in movies such as Dumebi The Dirty Girl, she made a name for herself in the industry with one movie role after another. She is from Kogi State and is a proud member of the Ebira tribe. 

13. Tonto Dikeh

King Tonto as she is popularly known has quite a penchant for drama both on screen and off screen, this Nollywood actress is yet another IT girl from her earlier years of acting, she is of Ikwerre descent from Rivers State.

14. Luchy Donalds

Luchy Daniels’s 2014 breakout and debut role in The Investigator shot her up the Nollywood ladder, the actress is a part of the Igbo tribe from Imo State.

15. Anita Joseph

Anita Joseph is a Nollywood star and overall entertainer who has earned bragging rights in the Nigerian entertainment industry for her talent and beauty, she is of Igbo descent from Anambra State.

16. Judy Austin

Judy Austin and her husband Yul Edochie might have a habit of trending, sometimes for the wrong reasons. Still, this Igbo beauty from Anambra state is a super-talented actress and movie producer.

17. Angel Unigwe

Angel Unigwe is a fast-rising star in Nollywood, she’s starred in an endless list of Nollywood movies and series which includes All of Us. The Igbo young lady hails from Imo State.

18. Ebele Okaro

Ebele Okaro is a legendary Nollywood actress popularly known as Mama of Nollywood because of the iconic motherhood roles she’s played, she is an Igbo woman from Enugu State.

19. Rita Dominic

Rita Dominic is another Nollywood star who stole the hearts of many with legendary roles in Nigerian film titles such as The Meeting, 76, and others. The talented actress is of Igbo descent from Imo State.

20. Annabel Apara

Annabel Apara is a youngster in the crux of her career in Nollywood on a remarkable note with a long list of movies under her belt. Annable Apara is from Osun State and Yoruba by tribe.

21. Uche Jumbo

Uche Jombo is a Nigerian actress, screenwriter, and film producer with quite an impressive film portfolio. She has appeared in over 250 Nollywood movies and is a part of the Igbo tribe from Abia State.

22. Rosy Meurer

Rosaline  Meurer is a talented actress who has starred in several Nigerian film productions, Rosy is half Dutch on her father’s side and from Delta state from her mother’s side, making her a part of the Urhobo tribe.

23. Pearl Shim

Pearl Shim Mugala is yet another young star on the rise, making her mark in the Nollywood film industry. The actress’s State of origin is Delta State, and she is Urhobo by tribe.

24. Jackie Appaiah 

Jackie Appaiah might be one of the most well-known Nollywood actresses thanks to her acting roles and credits in the Nigerian film industry, however, she is Ghanaian.

25. Dakore Akande

Dakore Akande has starred in some of the most classic titles, from Isoken to Castle and Castle, just to name a few. The famous actress is part of the Ijaw tribe from Bayelsa State.

26. Ruth Kadiri 

Ruth Kadiri is a talented Nollywood actress, producer, and screenwriter from the Esan tribe in Edo State. She has made quite an impact in the Nigerian film industry with several acting credits and now owns her YouTube production company Ruth Kadiri TV.

27. Sharon Ifedi

Sharon Ifedi, a rising star from Anambra State, is of Igbo descent. She is one of Nollywood’s most recognized young actresses, known for her striking performances despite her young age.

28. Eniola Badmus

Eniola Badmus, a Yoruba actress from Ogun State, is best known for her comedic roles in Nollywood. She gained widespread fame after starring in the movie Accidental Affair and has remained a well-known figure in the industry ever since

29. Regina Daniels

Regina Daniels, an actress from the Igbo tribe in Delta State, started her acting career as a child. She quickly shot up to fame by starring in many epic films and becoming one of Nollywood’s most influential actresses.

30. Chacha Eke

Chacha Eke is known for delivering really powerful performances in family drama films. She has a loyal fanbase due to her ability to act with intensity. The popular actress is a part of the Igbo community from Ebonyi State.

31. Toyin Abraham

Toyin Abraham, originally from Edo State but of Yoruba heritage, is one of the most successful actresses in Nollywood. She is celebrated for her roles in both Yoruba and English-language films, as well as her contributions as a filmmaker.

32. Adaeze Onuigbo

Adaeze Onuigbo, an Igbo actress from Anambra State, is another child star known for her immense talent and acting skills in every movie role she bags.

33. Yvonne Jegede

Yvonne Jegede got her claim to fame after appearing in the music video for Tuface Idibia’s African Queen and has since gone on to have a successful acting career in Nollywood. Yvonne Jegede is from the Etsako tribe in Edo State.

34. Ngozi Ezeonu

Ngozi Ezeonu is known for her impressive acting in Nollywood, most of her roles include playing a queen or mother in traditional and contemporary films. She is an iconic actress from Anambra State and is of Igbo descent. 

35. Sonia Uche

Sonia Uche, an actress from Delta State with roots in Abia State, is Igbo by tribe. She has created a name for herself in the industry by starring in roles such as Love in Chaos.

36. Rita Edochie

Rita Edochie, a veteran actress from Anambra State, is Igbo by tribe. She has been acting in Nollywood for decades, especially in epic drama roles.

37. Angela Okorie

Angela Okorie, an actress from Ebonyi State, is of Igbo descent. She started off her Nollywood career in 2005 but gained prominence in 2009 with the Nollywood blockbuster film Holy Serpent.

38. Uche Montana 

Uche Montana has made a name for herself in Nollywood with her impressive performances in romance and thriller films. She’s gone on to make her Nollywood empire on YouTube, she is an Igbo actress from Delta State.

39. Chioma Chukwuka

Chioma Chukwuka, an actress from Anambra State and of Igbo descent knows how to play a good girl character very well. She has won multiple awards for her work in Nollywood, all well deserved.

40. Nuella Njubuigbo

Nuella Njubigbo, an Igbo actress from Anambra State, has established herself in Nollywood as a versatile actress and scriptwriter.

41. Obio Oluebube

Obio Oluebube, an actress from Anambra State, belongs to the Igbo ethnic group. Known for her comedic and dramatic performances, she is a force to be reckoned with.

42. Funke Akindele

Funke Akindele, the creator of the Jenifa franchise, is a Yoruba actress from Lagos State and is one of Nollywood’s biggest stars and filmmakers thanks to her ability to create one hit film after another.

43. Ekene Umenwa

Ekene Umenwa, an Igbo actress from Anambra State, is known for her dynamic performances in Nollywood films. She has gained popularity for her roles in romantic and traditional movies.

44. Osas Ighodaro

Osas Ighodaro, a Nigerian American actress of Edoid descent from Edo State, is known for her roles in The Smart Money Woman, Bling Lagosians, and so on. She has worked in both the Nigerian and international film industries and is certainly not slowing down.

45. Genevieve Nnaji

Genevieve Nnaji is known for her legendary acting roles and timeless beauty, the famous actress is from Imo State and is Igbo by tribe. She has been a leading figure in Nollywood for decades, most especially known for making history as the director of Lionheart, the first Nigerian film on Netflix.

46. Chinenye Nnebe

Chinenye Nnebe, an Igbo actress from Anambra State has starred in quite some Nollywood dramas and movies, cementing her spot in the Nollywood industry.

47. Kate Henshaw

Kate Henshaw, although of Igbo descent, was born and raised in Cross River State. She is one of Nollywood’s most celebrated actresses, known for her strong performances, her fitness lifestyle, and her timeless presence in the industry.

48. Ada Kirikiri

Uchechi Treasure Okonkwo popularly referred to as Ada Kirikiri, is another Nollywood child actress who has an impressive list of acting credits. She is an Igbo actress from Imo State.

49. Sharon Ooja

Sharon Ooja stole all of our hearts by playing Shalewa in Skinny Girl in Transit, this fan-favorite actress is from Benue State and is part of the Idoma tribe.

50. Peggy Ovire

Peggy Ovire or Ego Oyibo as she’s called in her role in Husbands of Lagos, is an actress from the Urhobo tribe in Delta State, she is married to fellow Nollywood actor Frederick Leonard and is known for her impressive acting range.

51. Sunshine Rosman

The When Love Strikes actress is truly the epitome of her name, she is Canadian-Nigerian, and she’s Igbo from Imo State.

52. Ebube Nwagbo

Ebube Nwagbo is an undeniable talent in Nollywood with roles like Chetanna, she is part of the Igbo tribe, from Anambra State.

53. Blessing Obasi

Married to actor Stan Nze, Blessing Jessica Obasi-Nze is a talented actress from Abia State and Igbo by tribe.

54. Sola Sobowale

This King of Boys’ actor is known for her immense delivery of all her roles, she is from Ondo State and Yoruba by tribe.

55. Adesua Etomi

The Wedding Party star, Adesua Etomi is of the Esan tribe and the Yoruba people. Her father is from Edo State, making the actress an Edo State citizen.

56. Queen Nwokoye

Queen Nwokoye has been in the industry for a long time, starring in roles such as Pretty Liars, she is from Anambra State and Igbo by tribe.

57. Omoni Oboli

Omoni Oboli has taken the industry by storm from her very first movie, she’s gone on to act and produce in even more roles, she is an Igbo woman from Delta State.

58. Rita Daniels

Rita Daniels is from the Ogwashi-Ukwu tribe in Delta State, Nigeria. She is the mother of actress Regina Daniels.

59. Patience Ozokwor

Mama G herself is a legendary actress, every Patience Ozokwor role is epic through and through, she represents the Igbo tribe from Enugu.

60. Queeneth Hilbert 

Queeneth Hilbert has acted in movies such as Hand of Fate and Sins of the Past, she is of Igbo descent and hails from Ebonyi state.

61. Nse Ikpe-Etim

Nse Ikpe-Etim is known for her fearlessness, both on-screen and off-screen, she is Ibibio from Akwa Ibom.

62. Monalisa Chinda

Monalisa Chinda is our very own Monalisa of Nollywood, she is part of the Ikwerre tribe in Rivers State.

63. Lizzy Gold

Lizzy Gold is a Nollywood star and Ex-beauty queen, all in one, she is of the Itsekiri tribe of Delta State.

64. Iyabo Ojo

Iyabo Ojo, popularly referred to as the Queen Mother, her roles in movies such as Gangs of Lagos are always top-notch. She is of Yoruba descent from Ogun State.

65. Nkiru Sylvanus

Nkiri Sylvanus is famous for her movie A Cry For Help, and over 200 other movies is an Igbo woman from Abia State.

66. Joke Silva

Joke Silva, a renowned actress and wife of the equally renowned actor Olu Jacobs is a native of the Saro and Amaro groups and is known to speak Yoruba majorly.

67. Onyi Alex

Onyi Alex, an Igbo woman from Anambra State is known for several astounding roles including Put a Ring On It.

68. Adunni Ade

Adunni Ade is of Yoruba Nigerian descent. Her father is Yoruba Nigerian, and her mother is German-Irish. The unforgettable actress is from Lagos.

69. Kenechukwu Ezeh

Popularly known as Posh, Kenechukwu Eze is a Nollywood actress that is Igbo by tribe, from Enugu state.

70. Fathia Balogun

Fathia Williams Balogun, a Nigerian actress and film producer, is from Delta State and is of the Urhobo tribe.

71. Halima Abubakar

Halima Abubakar became an actress in Nollywood in 2011, she is of Ebira descent from Kogi State.

72. Joyce Kalu

Award-winning actress and entrepreneur, Joyce Kalu is of Igbo descent from Abia State.

73. Mercy Aigbe

Mercy Aigbe’s native language is Edo from Edo state, she also speaks Yoruba which has been a very useful part of her Nollywood career.

74. Ufuoma McDermott

This award-winning actress of Urhobo descent who hails from Delta State in Nigeria has impacted the Nollywood industry in more ways than one.

75. Stella Damasus

Stella Damasus is a Nollywood royalty, with movie roles spanning decades, she is Igbo from Delta State.

76. Sophie Alakija

From featuring in Wizkid’s music video for Holla at Your Boy to movies such as Dinner At My Place, Sophie Alakija’s father is of Lebanese descent while her mother is Nigerian, specifically of Efik origin from Cross River State.

77. Lilian Esoro

Lilian Esoro is a stunning Nollywood actress known for movies such as Meet The In-Laws, she is Igbo by tribe from Imo State.

78. Ireti Doyle

Ireti Doyle is the queen of class in Nollywood, especially because most of her roles resonate with women of class, she is Yoruba from Ondo State.

79. Ini Dima-Okojie

Ini Dima Okojie stole hearts with her role in Tinsel, all the way to her role in Flawsome, she is from the Esan tribe of Edo State.

80. Belinda Effah

Belinda Uyu Effah has succeeded in the Nollywood scene through it all, she hails from Cross River State, Efik tribe.

81. Georgina Onuoha

Georgina Onuoha is a Nollywood actress, model, television personality, and philanthropist. She is from Anambra state and Igbo by tribe.

82. Jane Obi

Jane Obi is yet another popular actress who is Igbo by tribe and from Anambra State.

83. Maureen Okpoko

Maureen Okpoko took the Nollywood film industry with her flawless look and unforgettable performances, she is a native of Anambra State, and of Igbo descent.

84. Jemima Osunde 

Jemima Osunde proves she is both beauty and brains, with a degree in Physiotherapy and a successful acting career, she is an Edo native.

85. Juliana Olayode

Juliana Olayode earned her fame through her role in Jenifa’s Diary, she is Yoruba from Lagos State.

86. Lota Chukwu

Lota Chukwu is an Igbo woman from Enugu state, her timeless beauty and immense talent have made her a famous actor in the Nigerian movie industry.

87. Ayo Adesanya

Veteran actress Ayo Adesanya joined Nollywood with her debut role in Living In Bondage, she has since gone on to take several other roles. The Yoruba actress is from Ogun State.

88. Clarion Chukwura

Clarion Chukwura is nothing short of remarkable in every single role, she is of Igbo descent from Anambra State.

89. Ngozi Nwosu

Ngozi Nwosu has had many fan-favourite roles over the years, but her role as Mama Tiwalade in Skinny Girl In Transit takes the cake, she is Igbo from Abia State.

90. Shan George

Shan George is yet another unforgettable actress who was on every TV screen with her roles in Nollywood, she is from the Ediba tribe from Cross River State.

91. Linda Osifo

Linda Osifo is a beauty queen in her own right, she shot to fame with her role as Rhetta in The Desperate Housewives Africa. She is an Edo native.

92. Wunmi Toriola

Wunmi Toriola is a native of Ogun state and Yoruba by tribe, she is known for several acting and filmmaking roles.

93. Uche Ogbodo 

Uche Ogbodo is an entertainment extraordinaire, she is a Nigerian Actress, producer, and red-carpet host from Enugu State, and Igbo by tribe.

94. Juliet Ibrahim

Juliet Ibrahim is a well-known Nollywood actress, but her roots are Ghanaian-Liberian.

95. Caroline Danjuma

Carolyna Hutchings, formerly known as Caroline Ekanem and Caroline Danjuma, is a Scottish-Nigerian actress, film producer, and overall businesswoman who is a native of  Eket on her mother’s side.

96. Elma Mbadiwe

Elma Mbadiwe’s effortless charm can be felt through every role she touches, the actress is of Igbo heritage from Imo State.

97. Linda Ejiofor

Linda Ejiofor is an Igbo woman from Abia State, known for her charming demeanor, she’s starred in several Nollywood films over the years.

98. Doris Ifeka

Presenter, actor, producer, and TV personality Doris Ifeka is a part of the Igbo tribe from Enugu State.

99. Moyo Lawal 

Moyo Lawal has appeared in some of the most cherished Nollywood shows such as Binta And Friends, she is Yoruba from Lagos State.

100. Nkechi Blessing

Nkechi Blessing has made a mark on the Nollywood industry for her roles in Yoruba movies, but the actress is an Igbo woman from Abia State.

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