Some of the richest movie stars in Nigeria today are females. Some of these Nigerian actresses have amassed so much wealth that would rival the earnings of any high-paid profession in the world you can think of. It is no longer news that there is money in Nollywood. The industry has contributed immensely to the Nigerian economy in so many ways.
Here is a list of 10 richest Nollywood actresses in Nigeria (2020 updated):
Actress | Rank | Net Worth in Dollars | Net Worth in Naira |
Genevieve Nnaji | 1 | $10 million | ₦3.8 billion |
Omotola Jalade Ekeinde | 2 | $5 million | ₦1.9 billion |
Funke Akindele | 3 | $3.5 million | ₦1.3 billion |
Stephanie Okereke | 4 | $3.2 million | ₦1.2 billion |
Mercy Johnson | 5 | $3 million | ₦1.15 billion |
Rita Dominic | 6 | $2.6 million | ₦1 billion |
Chika Ike | 7 | $2.5 million | ₦965 million |
Uche Jombo | 8 | $2.3 million | ₦885 million |
Ini Edo | 9 | $2 million | ₦770 million |
Chioma Chukwuka | 10 | $1.5 million | ₦580 million |
Omoni Oboli | 11 | $1.4 million | ₦540 million |
Regina Daniels | 12 | $1.3 million | ₦500 million |
Mary Remy Njoku | 13 | $1.2 million | ₦465 million |
Kate Henshaw | 14 | $1.1 million | ₦425 million |
Clarion Chukwura | 15 | $1 million | ₦400 million |
1. Genevieve Nnaji
Genevieve Nnaji is ranked top in the Nigerian acting scene. With an estimated net worth of around $10 million, Genevieve Nnaji is easily one of the biggest Nollywood exports of her time. She is a veteran actress, a successful producer and director and host of many successful businesses to her name.
Genevieve Nnaji is one of the highest-paid actresses in Nigeria. She’s signed endorsement deals with many top brands in Nigeria, such as Etisalat, Amstel Malta, Jumia, etc. Her directorial debut movie, Lionheart, is the first Nigerian Netflix original. ‘Lion Heart’ was purchased by Netflix for $3.8 million.
Genevieve Nnaji’s Lionheart was also Nigeria’s first-ever Oscar submission for best international feature film. The movie was disqualified for having most of its dialogue in English.
Genevieve Nnaji won the Africa Movie Academy Award for Best Actress in a Leading Role in 2005, the same year AMAA was launched, making her the first actor to win the award.
In 2011, Genevieve Nnaji was honoured as a Member of the Order of the Federal Republic by the Nigerian government for her contributions in Nollywood. In 2009, she was referred to as the Julia Roberts of Africa by Oprah Winfrey.
2. Omotola Jalade Ekeinde
Omotola Jalade Ekeinde aka “Omo Sexy” is an award-winning Nigerian actress and businesswoman. Omotola Jalade Ekeinde has starred in over 300 movies, most of which were highly successful. Omotola has received several recognitions for her contributions in advancing the Nigerian cinema industry in the video film era. In 2013, she was honoured in Time Magazine’s list of the 100 most influential people in the world alongside Michelle Obama, Beyoncé and Kate Middleton. Omotola Jalade is also among the few Nigerian celebrities to have received the Order of the Federal Republic, MFR, recognition. Omotola Jalade Ekeinde is married to a pilot named Captain Matthew Ekeinde and has an estimated net worth of around $5 million.
3. Funke Akindele
Funke Akindele Bello, popularly known as Jenifa from her award-winning comedy series of the same name, has an estimated net worth of $3.5 million. Akindele is not just a part of the richest Nigerian movie stars but also currently one of the most influential. She is currently one of the most followed celebrities on social media with over 11 million followers on Instagram alone. In 2009, Funke Akindele won the Africa Movie Academy Award for Best Actress in a Leading Role. She plays the lead character in her personal comedy show called Jenifa’s Diary which has become one of the most successful comedy TV series of this time.
Funke Akindele is married to popular Nigerian rapper JJC Skillz and together they have built an empire. Funke Akindele has had endorsement deals with several top Nigerian brands including Dettol, Keystone Bank, Iroko TV, etc. Recently, she landed another deal with WAW detergent.
4. Stephanie Okereke
Stephanie Okereke Linus is an award-winning Nigerian actress, film director and ex-model. Stephanie Okereke has received multiple awards for work as an actress including the 2003 Reel Award for Best Actress, the 2006 Afro Hollywood Award for Best Actress and three nominations for Best Actress in a Leading Role at the Africa Movie Academy Awards in 2005, 2009 and 2010. Stephanie Okereke was a runner up at the 2002 Most Beautiful Girl in Nigeria pageant. In 2011, she was honoured by the Nigerian government with a national honour of Member of the Order of the Federal Republic, MFR. Stephanie Okereke is currently married to business mogul Linus Idahosa. Her current net worth is estimated at over $3.2 million.
5. Mercy Johnson
Mercy Johnson Okojie is a household name in the Nigerian film industry, well known for her acting talent and hard work. Mercy Johnson is one of the most hard-working actresses in Nollywood. She is also one of the Nigerian actresses who have been successful as combining work and family. Mercy Johnson is currently one of the hottest selling Nigerian actresses and has been reputed in the media as the actress that never runs out of jobs. With an estimated net worth of $3 million, Mercy Johnson is currently one of Nigeria’s wealthiest movie stars. She is currently married to Prince Odi Okojie, a member of an Edo State royal family and a successful businessman.
6. Rita Dominic
Rita Dominic is a multiple award-winning Nigerian actress and businesswoman. Rita Dominic has had a taste of luxury from childhood and was born with a silver spoon. She is a member of the Royal Nwaturuocha family of Aboh Mbaise, Imo state and was raised by medical professionals. Rita Dominic currently has an estimated net worth of $2.6 million.
7. Chika Ike
Chika Ike is an award-winning Nigerian actress and successful businesswoman. Chika has also produced several high-grossing movies herself, including the 2020 drama, Small Chops. Chika Ike has received several awards and nominations for her work as an actress. Some of them include the 2008 Africa Movie Academy Awards Best Upcoming Actress and the Africa Movie Academy Award for Best Actress in a Supporting Role in 2009 for her performance in the movie “The Assassin”. Chika has a business degree from Harvard Business School and has been able to set up a number of successful businesses. One of Chika Ike’s businesses is a clothing accessories store called “Fancy Nancy” located in Abuja. Chika Ike’s current net worth is estimated at $2.5 million.
8. Uche Jombo
Uche Jombo is a highly successful Nigerian actress, screenwriter and movie producer. She has appeared in over 200 movies as a lead actress and written and produced over 20. Some of Uche Jombo’s screenwriting credits include The Celebrity, Games Men Play, Girls in the Hood and A Time to Love, etc. Movies Uche Jombo has produced include Nollywood Hustlers, Holding Hope and Damage. Uche Jombo has had endorsement deals with several top Nigerian brands including the coveted GLO ambassadorship deal. By estimation of her earnings, Uche Jombo is currently worth around $2.3 million.
9. Ini Edo
Nollywood actress Ini Edo has had an amazing career progression in the Nigerian movie industry. She is among the few actresses who started in the early 2000s and has managed to retain their relevance to the industry to this point. Ini Edo has starred in more than 200 movies and has won several awards and recognitions. She has had endorsement deals with Globacom, Noble Hair and Slim Tea and she is currently an ambassador for @MrTaxi_NG brand. In addition to her other sources of wealth, Ini Edo was appointed as the Special Assistant to the Akwa Ibom State Governor on Culture And Tourism by Udom Gabriel Emmanuel in 2016. Ini Edo’s current net worth is estimated to be in the region of $1.5 million.
10. Chioma Chukwuka
Nollywood star Chioma Chukwuka became popular in the early 2000s for playing the innocent protagonist in several emotional movies. Chioma Chukwuka’s acting talent has earned her several awards and recognitions, including the Africa Movie Academy Award for Best Actress in a leading role in 2007 for her performance in the movie Sins of the Flesh. Chioma Chukwuka also received the Afro Hollywood Award for best actress in a lead role in 2010. She has starred in several high-grossing movies including On My Wedding Day, Wives on Strike, Heart Of Gold, and The Rain of Hope. Chioma Chukwuka’s current net worth is estimated at $2.5 million.
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