In this article I will be sharing with you 10 Nollywood actresses who have remained consistent for over 25 years. The Nigerian movie industry popularly known as Nollywood has been around for a very long time now and has witnessed a lot of people shoot into stardom. While it is often believed that fame is just as fleeting as life is, there are those who have managed to stay consistent in the Nigerian movie industry.
Despite the numerous faces that have passed through the industry with some moving from grass to grace and then back to grass in terms of fame and fortune, there are some who have maintained their position in the film industry and continue to leave fans in awe of how they have managed to stay relevant.
Movies such as Glamour Girls, Nneka the Pretty Serpent, Abuja Connection and so on, were favorites of many Nollywood movie lovers. And with the love for Nollywood movies, came a love for some screen goddesses whose talent and flawless character interpretation, has kept them soaring in the industry over the years. So therefore, after a careful study and research I present to you 10 Nollywood actresses who have remained consistent for over 25 years.
1. Patience Ozokwor
Patience Ozokwor is popularly known as Mama G. she is the godmother of Nollywood. She has been around in the Nigerian movie industry popularly known as Nollywood for a very long time.
Patience Ozokwor who became popular for her role in the hit movie, Mama G, has continued to grace our screens with wonderful and hilarious movies. Although there is a belief that she has been stereotyped, there is no denying that she has won a lot of hearts over with her acting prowess. She always features as a wicked step mother, mother in-law and royal queen in several Nollywood movies.
2. Ngozi Ezeonu
Many people who have been fans of Nollywood remember Ngozi Ezeonu for her role as Thelma in 1994 Nollywood blockbuster movie Glamour Girls. Before her breakthrough as a movie star, she appeared in veteran film director, Zeb Ejiro’s Igbo blockbuster movie Nneka the Pretty Serpent in 1993. In the movie, she played a supporting role as Nkechi, the antagonist’s best friend. It has been several years and the beautiful actress is still one of the best! Ngozi Ezeonu has won several awards and accolades throughout her career in Nollywood.
3. Ebele Okaro
Ebele Okaro is popularly known as Nwanyi Awka after her glamourous role in Zuby Michael produced movie “Okada 50”. She has been in the industry for more than 25 years and still counting. Ebele Okaro was born on 19th January 1964 in London, United Kingdom but was raised in Nsukka, Enugu State in the south eastern part of Nigeria. She is currently 56 years old.
After her graduation, Ebele Okaro served her National Youth Service at the Nigerian Television Authority, where she took up opportunities for television appearances. She has worked in an embassy in Lagos and later in a bank before being able to return to acting. She has become known as the “Mama of Nollywood and has earned the respect of both fans and colleagues.
4. Omotola Jalade-Ekeinde
The beautiful and curvaceous actress fondly called Omosexy by her fans, only recently celebrated 25 years in the industry. Omotola Jalade-Ekeinde was introduced to acting by accompanying a friend to an audition. Her first acting role was in the 1995 movie, Venom of Justice, directed by Reginald Ebere. Although she was given the lead role in the movie, which set the stage for a flourishing career in the Nollywood film industry, it was her role in the critically acclaimed film, Mortal Inheritance, which shot her into limelight.
5. Genevieve Nnaji
Genevieve Nnaji is one Nollywood actress whom many have dubbed the sweetheart of the industry. Not only has she remained consistent, she has grown from being just an actress to working from both sides of the camera. She is now a film producer notable for her cinematic movie “Lion Heart” which became the only Nigerian produced movie to be featured on Netflix and also the only Nigerian film to be nominated for Oscar Awards.
Genevieve Nnaji was introduced into the growing Nigerian film industry with the movie Most Wanted in 1998, at the age of 19 years old. She has starred in over 250 Nollywood movies ever since then till date and still growing.
6. Rita Dominic
Rita Dominic is also another talented Nollywood actress who has remained consistent in the industry for over 25 years. In 1998 she starred in her first movie, A Time to Kill which brought her to limelight.
The Imo State born award-winning actress has gone on to star in over 200 Nollywood movies. She has also graduated to the rank of a movie producer with her notable work “The Meeting” which received the award for Best Feature Film at the Africa Magic Viewers Choice Awards. Rita Dominic has been described as one of the best performing actress in Nigeria.
7. Eucharia Anunobi
Just like Ngozi Ezeonu, Eucharia Anunobi came into limelight for her role in the movie, Glamour Girls which was released in 1994. She has gone on to star in over 290 Nollywood movies including Abuja Connection and Letters to a Stranger. Although she is currently serving as an evangelist at a church in Egbeda, Lagos state, she is still very active in the movie industry. Eucharia Anunobi has been described as one of the most beautiful actress in Nigeria and also one of the best outspoken actress in Nigeria.
8. Stephanie Okereke
Stephanie Okereke is another Nollywood actress who has been in the industry for over 2 decades. She was born on 2nd October 1982 in Ngor Okpala, a small town in Imo State in the south eastern part of Nigeria. She is currently 37 years old. She is the sixth child in a family of eight children.
Stephanie Okereke joined the Nigerian movie industry popularly known as Nollywood professionally in 1995 and acted in her first movies “Compromise” and “Waterloo”. The two movies where so popular in Nigeria and skyrocket her to prominence. Her role in the movie “Compromise” and “Waterloo” earned her an award for Most Promising Actress in Nigeria and Best New Actress to Watch Out For at the Africa Movie Academy Awards and Africa Magic Viewers Choice Awards.
9. Rita Edochie
Rita Edochie is also one Nollywood actress that has been in the industry for over 25 years and still remains consistent. She was born and bred in Onitsha, Anambra State in the south eastern part of Nigeria. Rita Edochie started her acting career in 1994.
She joined the Nigerian movie industry (Nollywood) that year and started featuring in Nollywood movies. She is the wife to Pete Edochie younger brother named Tony Edochie who is a staff at the Anambra State Broadcasting Service. Rita Edochie is a graduate of Mass Communication from Nnamdi Azikiwe University Awka in Anambra State. She has starred in movies like Waterloo, Oyoyo Mama, A Mothers Pride, The Storm, Across The Bridge, First Commandment, Circle of Lives, No More War and many more.
10. Chinwe Owoh
Chinwe Owoh is also one Nollywood actress that has been in the industry for over 25 years and still remains consistent. Chinwe Owoh acts mostly in tragedy and sorrowful movies. She was born and bred in Enugu State in the south eastern part of Nigeria. Chinwe Owoh completed her primary, secondary and tertiary education in Enugu, Nigeria. After completing her education, Chinwe Owoh joined the Nigerian movie industry popularly known as Nollywood in 1994. In 2001, she acted in the Nollywood blockbuster movie “Mothering Sunday” a movie that brought her to limelight.
Chinwe Owoh always act like a queen mother, grandmother, mother in-law, and caring mother in movies. She is also known for her ability to cry in movies and always star in sorrowful and tragic movies. She has star in movies like Miracle Child, Raging Tigers, Beyond The Verdict, Remote Control and many more.
