Over time, the biggest and richest actors in Nigerian entertainment have risen to prominence in the Nollywood industry. The Nollywood film industry has become well-known internationally and some of their movies have dominated many markets. Who are your favourite Nigerian actors? Curious to know how much they get paid?
Find out through this list about the ten wealthiest Nigerian actors including their net worth.
Jim Iyke, $30 million
Jim Iyke is an actor, businessman, and film producer who was recognized many years ago. He was born in Libreville, Gabon. He is renowned for his dominant playboy roles and wealthy boy image, clips of which are now trending on the internet.
According to reports, Iyke is worth $30 million and is renowned for several blockbusters, including Last Flight To Abuja (his debut production), Bad Comments, Merry Men, American Driver, and Cold Feet among others.
Genevieve Nnaji, $12 million
Nigerian actress, producer, and director Genevieve Nnaji was born on May 3, 1979. She became the first actor to win the Best Actress in a Leading Role category of the 2005 Africa Movie Academy Awards.
She received recognition from the Nigerian government in 2011 for her contributions to Nollywood by being named a Member of the Order of the Federal Republic. Lionheart, her directorial debut film, is the first Netflix film from Nigeria and the first Oscar entry from that country.
She is currently one of the wealthiest actresses in Nigeria with a net worth of about $12 million.
Ibinabo Fiberesima, $8 million
Ibinabo Fiberesima, a Nigerian actress, event planner, and former contestant in beauty pageants, was born on January 13, 1971. She has previously held the position of president of the Nigerian Actors Guild.
She has appeared in major movies such as The Twin Sword, The Ghost, Most Wanted, St. Mary, Ladies Night, The Limit, and Letters to a Stranger among others.
Ibinabo took part in the Miss Nigeria beauty contest in 1991. She was chosen as Bibiana Ohio’s first runner-up. She made her pageant debut in the 1992 edition of the Most Beautiful Girl in Nigeria (MBGN) competition, placing her in the second position.
She is worth, $8 million.
Richard Mofe Damijo, $7 million
Nigerian actor, writer, producer, lawyer, and former journalist Richard Eyinmofe Evans Damijo is also known by his stage name RMD. He received the Best Actor in a Leading Role Africa Movie Academy Award in 2005.
In 2009, he also worked in Delta State as the Commissioner for Culture and Tourism. He has been in several TV shows and motion pictures, such as Castle & Castle, Far From Home, The Wedding Party 2, King Of Boys: The Return Of The King, and others.
Funke Akindele, $7.6 million
Olufunke Ayotunde Akindele-Bello, sometimes known as Funke Akindele or Jenifa, was born in Lagos, Nigeria, on August 24, 1977. She is a Nigerian filmmaker, director, actor, politician, and producer. Akindele won the Best Actress in a Leading Role category of the 2009 Africa Movie Academy Awards.
She also played the lead character in the sitcom I Need to Know from 1998 to 2002. She gained notoriety for her part in the film Jenifa, which gave her the nickname Jenifa.
So far, it’s only Akindele that has won both the Africa Magic Viewers’ Choice Award and the African Movie Academy Award in a Yoruba-language film.
Omotola Jalade Ekehinde, $7.2 million
Omotola, often known as Omosexy, is a well-known Nigerian actress, singer, philanthropist, and former model who is perhaps one of Nollywood’s most awarded actresses. Since her debut in 1995, she has acted in more than 300 films.
She was listed among the top 100 global influencers by Time magazine in 2013 and made a fleeting appearance on Hit the Floor, a fictional series on VH1. She holds the title of MFR or Member of the Federal Republic.
Rita Dominic, $6 million
Nkem Rita Uchenna Dominic Nwaturuocha was born on July 12, 1975, and is a Nigerian actress. She won the 2012 Africa Movie Academy Award for Best Actress in a Leading Role.
Rita Dominic is a co-founder of the Audrey Silva Company, a model, an investor, a television personality, an actor, a producer, and a co-winner of multiple Nollywood awards. She is regarded as one of Nigeria’s highest-paid actors and one of the most brilliant and diligent in Nollywood. Currently, she is also a GLO Ambassador and the CEO of Rita Dominic Productions.
Chioma Akpotha, $5.7 million
Chioma Chukwuka, often known as Chioma Akpotha, is a talented actress in Nollywood. She is also a filmmaker and a director. For her work in “Sins of the Flesh,” Chioma got the Africa Movie Academy Award for “Best Actress in a Leading Role” in 2007. In 2010, Chioma won the Afro Hollywood Award for “Best Actress in a Leading Role.”
She established Masterclass With Chioma in 2019, a platform where emerging talent may learn from seasoned directors, screenwriters, actors, and other members of the film business. She has represented GLO, Omo Detergent, Harpic, and other brands.
Desmond Elliot, $5 million
A politician and director from Nigeria, Desmond Elliot was born Desmond Oluwashola Elliot on 4 February 1974. On April 11, 2015, he won a seat in the Nigerian general elections and was chosen to represent the Surulere Constituency in the Lagos State House of Assembly.
If selected, Elliot will seek to eradicate “child illiteracy in Nigeria and Africa at large” as the ambassador for the Face of Hope Project, a “volunteer-based non-profit, non-religious, non-political organization established to give hope to the hopeless.”
At the 2nd Africa Magic Viewers Choice Awards, he won best-supporting actor in a drama, and at the 10th Africa Movie Academy Awards, he received a nomination for best-supporting actor.
Mercy Johnson-Okojie, $5 million
Actress, producer, and director Mercy Johnson-Okojie is from Nigeria. Because of her extraordinary talent, she has been referred to be one of Nollywood’s most recognizable actors. For her portrayals of some well-known figures, Johnson has received praise. She also represents prestigious companies like Chi Limited. Hustlers, Married to the Enemy, Seven & a Half Dates, The Ghost, and The Tout Too, etc. are just a few of the films that Mercy Johnson is well known for.
Conclusion
After Hollywood in the US and Bollywood in India, Nollywood is the third-largest film industry in the world. The film industry is a lucrative one for many Nigerian performers.
For now, Jim Iyke remains the highest-paid Nigerian film actor with a net worth of $30 million.
