The art of single parenting and co-parenting isn’t lost on our favorite actresses, they continue to show up time and time again for their children even while building successful careers. These Nollywood actresses who are single mothers for one reason or the other are a testament to the fact that women can have it all. Whether you’re craving a life in the limelight or children to dote over while being single, these actresses have gone above and beyond in both aspects of their lives.
If there’s one thing about Nollywood’s leading women, it is their dedicated effort to their craft and putting Nollywood on the map. The time when women were shamed for being single with children is slowly fading away, and these actresses stand proud of their children and continue to show them off to the world. Without further ado, let us take a deep look at Nollywood actresses who are single mothers.Â
1. Nkechi BlessingÂ
Nkechi Blessing is a Nollywood actress known for her dedication to her craft, however, the actress announced the birth of her first child with her younger boyfriend, Xxssive, on her Instagram page, leaving fans shocked and thrilled for her.
2. Iyabo Ojo
Known as an icon, an actress and entrepreneur Iyabo Ojo got married at just 21, but after her marriage ended, she took on the responsibility of raising her two children, Felix Ojo and Priscilla Ajoke Ojo, alone. Today, she is not only a successful businesswoman who is killing it, but also a proud mother who has built a strong bond with her kids, who are also successful in their rights.
3. Mercy AigbeÂ
Popular Nollywood actress and entrepreneur Mercy Aigbe is a proud mother of two. She had her first daughter, Michelle, at 22, and later welcomed her son, Juwon, during her marriage to Lanre Gentry. She has successfully raised her children as a single parent after the separation from her ex.
4. Juliet Ibrahim
Juliet Ibrahim is a Ghanaian actress who has featured in the Nollywood scene several times. The actress was married but parted ways with her husband, Kwadwo Safo, with whom she had a boy. Eight years later, there was news and speculation about the actress being engaged again.
5. Caroline Danjuma
Carolyna Hutchings who was formerly known as Caroline Danjuma was previously married to Musa Danjuma, the younger brother to the former defense minister, Theophilus Danjuma, in 2007. The actress had three children from the union and continues to be a mother even after separation.
6. Tonto Dike
Tonto Dikeh also known as King Tonto is a renowned actress, she married Oladunni Churchill in 2015, and in 2016, she gave birth to their son, Andre Omodayo Churchill. However, their marriage ended in 2017 in an outrightly public manner. Tonto Dike has catered to her son ever since the split and has gushed about being a mother several times.
7. Grace Amah
Grace Amah is a popular Nollywood actress known for several roles in movies. The actress slowly disappeared from the acting scene, and it was later revealed that she had a child out of wedlock with a Nigerian based in the diaspora who allegedly also had a family of his own.
8. Ngozi Ezeonu
Ngozi Ezeonu is a renowned and impressive Nollywood actress. She was married but got divorced after four kids together. The actress continues to show up for all her children no matter the circumstances.
9. Chioma Chukwuka
Chioma Chukwuka Akpotha, a Nollywood actress, has three children. She married Franklyn Akpotha in 2006 and by 2022, there were speculations of a divorce. There have been no outright confirmations, but all news sources alleged that the actress is now single.
10. Yvonne JegedeÂ
Nollywood star Yvonne Jegede known for several acting roles, married fellow actor Olakunle “Abounce” Fawole in 2017, and they had a son, Xavier. Their marriage ended after just a year, and Yvonne Jegede has handled being a single mother like a pro ever since.
11. Damilola Adegbite
Damilola Adegbite is a popular actress known for her acting roles in shows such as Before 30. The actress was married to fellow actor Chris Attoh, they had their Brian in 2014 but eventually ended up splitting.
12. Shaffy Bello
Shaffy Bello continues to age gracefully on our screens, and every role she touches turns to gold. Shaffy was married to Mr. Akinrimisi from 1995 until 2020, they had two children.
13. Funke Akindele
Funke Akindele is a boss lady and steadily continues to make the Nollywood industry shake one blockbuster after another. Although her personal life has had a few setbacks like her divorce from JJC Skillz, she continues to thrive with her children beside her.
14. Adunni Ade
Multi-talented Nollywood actress Adunni Ade is known for her soft-spoken nature and acting range. The actress is quite a devoted single mother to her two sons, D’Marion and Ayden. After her separation from their father, she has continued to show up for her boys, and this can be seen through her social media family-related content.
15. Genevieve NnajiÂ
Genevieve Nnaji will forever be Nollywood’s superstar actress, the actress became a mother at just 17 years old when she gave birth to her daughter, Chimebuka Nnaji. Over the years, Genevieve has kept her personal life private, but her strong bond with her daughter remains evident, and so does their resemblance.
16. Jackie Appiah
Famous Nollywood actress Jackie Appiah who is Ghanaian, married Peter Agyemang in 2005, and they had a son named Damien. However, the marriage did end and the duo are reported to be dedicated to co-parenting, with Appiah balancing her career and care for her son perfectly.
17. Sophie Alakija
Sophie Alakija is another stunning actress with an amazing acting career in Nollywood. She married Wale Alakija in a low-key Islamic traditional wedding. During their four-year marriage, which ended in 2020, they had two children: Aydin and Caliph.
18. Ireti Doyle
Ireti Doyle is a popular Nigerian actress known for her acting range and sheer talent. She was married to Patrick Doyle and they had six children together.
19. Belinda Effah
Nollywood actress, Belinda Effah has nailed it several times with her acting roles and movie credits. Belinda Effah, who now goes by Grace-Charis Bassey, allegedly has a son. She gave birth to him in the United States in 2016 but has not revealed the identity of his father.
20. Wunmi ToriolaÂ
To say Wunmi Toriala is a talented actress is pretty accurate, the Nigerian actress is worthy of all bragging rights. Toriola got married in 2018 and welcomed her first child, Zion, a year later. In January, the movie star confirmed her separation from her husband.
21. Ngozi NwosuÂ
Ngozi Nwosu will forever be a fan favourite actress in the Nollywood industry, the actress has had somewhat of a sordid past. She was married in the past but got divorced, and she also opened up about how she called off her wedding two days before because of abuse. She is a single mother with her children and a successful career.
22. Clarion ChukwuraÂ
Clarion Chukwura is a legendary Nollyood actress who will be known for decades to come. Chukwura is the mother of music video director Clarence Peters, whom she had with Juju musician Sir Shina Peters. Although she has had three marriages, it is important to note that none of them are recorded to be her baby daddy.
23. Ayo Adesanya
Nollywood actress, Ayo Adesanya is known for her top-tier acting skills and impeccable delivery of character she plays in her movies. Ayo Adesanya was formerly married to Goriola Hassan but is now separated. She also has a son.
24. Waje
Award-winning Nigerian singer Waje has also dabbled in acting which is why she is on the list of Nollywood actresses who are single mothers. This Nigerian celeb is the mother of her beautiful daughter, Emerald Iruobe. Information surrounding her child’s father remains scarce, but Waje has been a present mother even with her successful career.
25. Ini Edo
Ini Edo is a Nollywood actress who will forever be one of the most iconic actresses Nigeria has ever seen. There have been no confirmations of a man in the actress’s life but she does have a three year daughter which she had through surrogacy.
26. Osas Ighodaro
Osas Ighodaro and Gbenro Ajibade had their fairytale wedding in 2015, and by 2016, they welcomed their baby girl. Unfortunately, their marriage ended after four years, leaving both parties single and raising their daughter single.
27. Etinosa IdemudiaÂ
Etinosa Idemudia is a popular actress who got married to a Benin-based lawyer known as Ighorosa. Unfortunately, the couple called it quits after a year and they had a baby girl in 2020.
28. Stella DamasusÂ
Stella Damasus will forever be Nollywood royalty thanks to her lovable nature on and off screen. The actress got married to Jaiye Aboderin, in 1999 when she was 21. They had two children together, but unfortunately, he passed away. The actress remarried twice but is currently single according to reports.
29. Lizzy Gold
Lizzy Gold Onuwaje is a Nigerian filmmaker and actress known for starring in numerous Nollywood movies. The actress has two children whom she seems to be raising alone as a dedicated mother and no mention of the father.
30. Onyi Alex
Nollywood actress Onyi Alex is known for the dramatic roles she plays in the film industry. The actress is not known to be married, she has a child, but there is no disclosed information on the baby daddy.
31. Uche OgbodoÂ
Actress Uche Ogbodo is noted to have been briefly married to Apo Arthur, but their relationship ended shortly after they tied the knot. The union, however, blessed her with a daughter, Chinagorom, who she describes as her greatest source of joy.
32. Chinenye Nnebe
Nigerian actor and model Chinenye Nnebe has devoted a lot of time and passion to her career, and it is clear that her devotion to her child is also unmatched. The actress is not married but she does have a son, Cutemeeky who was born on 25 April 2019.Â
33. Lilian Esoro
According to reports, popular Nollywood actress and businesswoman, Lilian Esoro was previously married to music mogul Ubi Franklin, and they share a son, Jayden. Although their marriage didn’t last, Lilian Esoro proves that you can have it all, the career and the baby.
34. Anna Ebiere
Former beauty queen Anna Banner crowned Most Beautiful Girl in Nigeria in 2012, has a daughter with popular singer Flavour Nabania. Despite the challenges of single parenthood, Anna describes her daughter as her biggest blessing.
35. Tayo Odueke
Yoruba actress Tayo Odueke, widely known as Sikiratu Sindodo, had her daughter, Naomi Suleiman, when she was just 21. Over the years, she has handled the tasks that come with motherhood and the chaos of creating a career like a true mother would.
36. Biodun Okeowo
Biodun Okeowo is a Yoruba movie star, popularly known as Omobutty, not only has she killed it in her career, she is a single mother of two. While she has been open about her past struggles, she remains focused on raising her children the best way she knows how.
37. Kate Henshaw
Veteran actress and fitness icon Kate Henshaw was married to Roderick Nuttal in 2000, and they have a daughter, Gabrielle Nuttal. Though private about her personal life, Kate remains a devoted mother while maintaining her legendary acting career.
38. Fathia Balogun
Fathia Balogun is a popular actress known for several movie roles, she was formerly married to veteran Nollywood actor, Saheed Balogun, with whom she has two children, a son and a daughter. Faithia also has a son from an earlier relationship.
39. Bukky Wright
Bukky Wright is a force to be reckoned with in the industry. She devotes her time to her craft and her two children. The actress has faced about three divorces, but all signs lead to the fact that she always shows up for her kids.
40. Rita Nzelu
Popular Nollywood actress, Rita Nzelu married Simeon Okoro in March 2004, and they relocated to the United Kingdom. They have two children. She reportedly separated from her husband in 2018, but has shown unwavering dedication to her children,
41. Ibinabo Fiberesima
Ibinabo Fiberersima is a former beauty queen and renowned Nollywood actress. She has made it public knowledge that Nollywood actor, Fred Amata is her baby daddy.
42. Tiwa SavageÂ
Afrobeats queen Tiwa Savage married music executive Tunji “Tee Billz” Balogun in 2013, and together, they welcomed their son, Jamil Balogun. Unfortunately, their relationship ended in 2016 in the most rocky way possible, but Tiwa has continued to raise Jamil with unwavering dedication and Tee Billz co-parents with her.Â
43. Patience Ozokwor
Popularly known for her epic roles as Mama G, The Nollywood actress’ husband is the late Nduka Ozokwor. She never remarried after he died, but has gone on to show dedication to all her children, she has a mix of blood-related children and adopted children, totaling eight.
44. Liz Da-Silva
Popular Yoruba actress Liz Da Silva is a proud mother of her son, whom she frequently gushes over on social media. The legendary actress has taught other mothers a thing or two about motherhood through her unwavering dedication to it all.
45. Lola Alao
This Nollywood actress has built a solid career in the entertainment industry as an actress. The actress has had two failed marriages. In 2019, she won the custody case over the late Aisha Abimbola’s two children, who died in 2018 of breast cancer
46. Monalisa Chinda
Monalisa Chinda is another familiar face in the Nigerian film industry, her passion and dedication to her daughter Tamar which she had with her first husband, Dejo Richards is inspiring. She later remarried and is currently living happily.
47. Tayo Odueke
Tayo Odueke is another Nollywood actress who took the industry by storm even while being a single mother. Known for her proud mama status, Tayo has a daughter, Damilola which she had at 21 and raised single.Â
48. Regina Chukwu
Yoruba actress Regina Chukwu stole hearts with her roles in movies, unfortunately, the actress has a late husband but continued to raise her children alone despite all the odds.
49. Shan GeorgeÂ
Nollywood actress Shan George is known for several of her roles including Thorns of Rose, the actress presently has two children after unfortunately being involved in several broken marriages.
50. Rita Daniels
Rita Daniels is a popular Nollywood actress, and also the mother of popular actress Regina Daniels. There is not a lot of information about the actress being married, and there was controversy surrounding a picture that seemed like a wedding picture between her and a younger man. This had fans stirred up because they accused the actress of pushing her daughter to marry an older man while she found a younger man, turns out the photo was from a set of a movie she was in.
