The Nigerian film industry, Nollywood, always has its way of capturing the hearts of fans nationwide and even above and beyond Nigeria. A huge part of the industry’s success is owed to the talented actors and actresses. Whether these Nollywood actors were born in Nigeria or outside of Nigeria, it doesn’t matter. All Nollywood actors born abroad are just as Nigerian as other Nollywood actors; the only difference is that they bring fresh perspectives along with them.
From London to Cameroon, these Nollywood actors born abroad might just surprise you. Regardless of where they were born, all Nollywood actors have been integral in shaping Nollywood to what it is today. However, it’s okay to be curious to find out where your favourite actor and actress were born, let’s get straight into a list of all Nollywood actors born abroad.
1. Jim Iyke
Nollywood Actor and all-time favourite bad boy is known for his charisma on-set and off-set. Jim Iyke has been in several movies and productions from Last Flight to Abjua, to Merry Men. This Nollywood actor wasn’t actually born in Nigeria, even though he is fully Nigerian. The actor was born in Libreville, Gabon, which means he is Gabonese by birth, born to Mr. & Mrs. Stephen Esomugha who hailed from Enugu Agidi village of Anambra State and the only son with six sisters as siblings. Jim Iyke grew up in Gabon before relocating to Nigeria for academic purposes, eventually he moved to Lagos, where his acting career began.
2. Oge Okoye
Oge Okoye is a Nollywood actress that has stolen the hearts of fans nationwide with her impressive acting skills and larger than life personality. The actress is yet another Nollywood star who was born outside of Nigeria, specifically in London, United Kingdom. The actress later moved to Lagos to live with her family and pursue her career in the entertainment industry.Â
3. Zack OrjiÂ
Zack Orji and Jim Iyke have a lot in common. They are both talented actors, both have several acting credits to their name, and they also share a birthplace in common. Zack Orji was reportedly born in Gabon as well because his parents lived there. Eventually, they moved to places like Cameroon, Benin and Togo where the actor grew up and picked up the french language. He moved to Nigeria eventually for academic purposes and later ventured into acting.
4. Banky W
Banky W is a famous musician and actress who has the ability to make you swoon through both professions. This famous entertainer is another Nollywood actor that was born abroad because his parents were based there. Banky W was born in New York City, United States and his family returned to Nigeria when he was five years old.
5. Seyi Shay
Seyi Shay is a singer with several hit songs, but she’s also had her feet wet in the Nollywood industry where she’s acted in movies such as Lara and the Beat. The singer and actress was born in Tottenham, London to her Nigerian parents. She began visiting Nigeria at a young age and had some parts of her education in Nigeria and back in London. Her music career is a bigger focus than her acting career, which is why she was invested in a lot of projects in London like the girl band she was part of back then.
6. Ikechukwu OnunakuÂ
Ikechukwu Onunaku is a Nigerian actor and rapper who has made a mark in both industries. The actor was born in Manassas, Virginia, to his Nigerian parents, and was raised in Nigerian. He moved back to the United States after completing high school in Lagos, and then he returned over a decade later to Nigeria for his music career.
7. Osas Ighodaro
Osas Ighodaro is a talented actress that effectively commands attention with her talent and demeanor. The actress was born in Bronx, New York to Nigerian parents. Her academic life and personal life were all in the United States, Osas began her acting career in New York after graduating college. She performed in theatre plays and indie films over there, until she moved to Nigeria where she began acting in Nollywood.
8. Hadiza AliyuÂ
Hadiza Aliyu is a Nollywood actress who has honed her craft in both Hausa and English Nigerian movies. The actress has been in several notable productions and has won several awards, she is another Nollywood actor that was born in Libreville, Gabon. Just Like Jim Iyke, the actress grew up in Gabon and also schooled there. She moved from Gabon to Nigeria in 2009 to become an actress, which is how she moved to Kaduna State where she joined the Kannywood film industry.Â
9. Jackie AppiahÂ
Jackie Appiah is a force in the Nollywood industry despite being of Ghanaian heritage. The Nollywood actress is one of the most popular Nigerian actresses in the field, despite not being Nigerian. The actress was born in Canada in the 80s, making her Canadian by birth. Her early life was spent in Canada till she moved to Ghana and then subsequently made an entrance in the Nollywood space.
10. Francis Duru
Nollywood actor Francis Duru knows how to own a scene and deliver a character. The actor has been in the industry for decades with movies such as Missing Mark. What fans might not know is that Francis Duru was born in Cameroon to Nigerian parents, this means he is Cameroonian by birth. Francis Duru completed part of his academic career in Cameroon before moving to Nigeria for University.
11. Okawa Shaznay
According to Vocal Media, Okawa Shaznay is another Nollywood star who was born in Cameroon and is a Cameroonian that successfully broke into the Nollywood industry. The Nigerian actress has starred in various productions and alongside famous actors such as Rita Dominic. She is a talented actress who has earned herself several lead roles in movies and TV shows.Â
12. Katherine Obiang
Katherine Obiang is a Nollywood actress, and a TV presenter. The actor is of mixed heritage with her father being Cameroonian and her mother being Nigerian. She is another actress who is Nigerian but holds another nationality to her name.Â
13. Epule Jeffrey Ewusi
Epule Jeffrey Ewusi is an actor that you might recognize from movies such as Royal Destination, which he starred in alongside Tonto Dike. The popular actor was born in Buea Southwest region of Cameroon according to sources, which makes him another Nollywood actor that is Cameroonian by birth. The actor had his education in Cameroon and also acted in several movies in the Cinema of Cameroon before heading to Nigeria for his Nollywood career.
14. Empress NjamahÂ
Nollywood actress Empress Njamah has been in the Nigerian film industry for a while now. The actress is a household name and has starred in several movies. Empress Njamah is from Cameroon on her mother’s side and Nigerian on her father’s side. Thanks to her mixed cultural heritage, the actress holds strong ties to both countries.
15. Beverly Naya
Beverly Ifunaya Bassey has become one of the biggest Nollywood actresses thanks to her talent and dedication. Beverly Naya is yet another Nigerian actor that was born abroad, in Britain to be more precise. She grew up and studied in London but moved to Nigeria because the Nollywood industry was booming.
16. Atlanta Bridget Johnson
According to her biography, Nollywood actress Atlanta Bridget Johnson was born in Zimbabwe. She is of Nigerian Zimbabwean and English heritage and has made her mark in the Nigerian movie industry with several notable roles. The actress was born in Harere and later moved to South Africa for film school and other studies before moving to Nigeria in 2019 for her career.
17. Eku Edewor
Eku Edewor is a Nigerian actress and TV presenter who has won the hearts of many with roles in Breath of Life, Castle & Castle, amongst others. The actress was born in Portland Hospital in London, making her a British Nigerian woman. Edewor moved to Nigeria from the UK in 2010 after the death of her stepfather, Peter. A few months later, she attended an open audition for co-presenter on 53 Extra which was previously known as Studio 53 Extra.Â
18. Adunni Ade
Adunni Ade is a talented Nollywood actress that has starred in several movies over the years. This super talented actress was born in Queens, New York to a German Irish mother and a Yoruba Nigerian father. She moved to Nigeira in 2011, and two years later, she landed her first role in Nollywood.
19. Carolyna HutchingsÂ
Carolyna Hutchings is a Nigerian actress of Scottish heritage, she is known for her impact in not only the film industry, but also various others. The actress and entertainer was born in Scotland but grew up in Nigeria and pursued her career in Nigeria.
20. Kalu IkeagwuÂ
Nollywood actor Kalu Ikeagwu gained prominence through his dedication and talent of the acting craft. He has been in several movies and shows over the course of his impressive career. The actor was born in England and relocated to Nigeria when he was nine years old with his family.Â
