As the World celebrates the International Women’s day today, FirstNews takes a look at some of the leading and powerful women that rocks Nigerian movie industry.
Here is the list below.
SOLA SOBOWALE
No doubt, Sola Sobowale, a veteran actress, is a force to reckon with in the industry for decades. She is a filmmaker, screenwriter, director and producer. Fondly called Toyin Tomatoe, she came to limelight in 2001 in the premiere of Nigeria’s popular television drama series Super Story: ‘Oh Father, Oh Daughter.’
The mother of four is a brand ambassador for Mouka Foam, and has featured in several movies such as: ,’The Village Headmaster’, ‘Mirror in Ohun Oko Somida’, ‘Dangerous Twins’, ‘Wedding Party’, ‘King of Boys’, and a host of others. She received the African Movie Academy Awards (AMAA) for Best Actress in a Leading Role in 2019, for her role in 2018 Nigerian movie King of Boys
PATIENCE OZOKWOR
The Nollywood actress popularly called Mama G, is also into music and fashion. She started her acting career in 1998 and gained popularity in 1999 after she featured in the movie, ‘Authority’. Mama G has featured in over 200 movies.
She is known for roles in movies where she inflicts pains upon others. This has really stigmatized her amongst fans. The veteran actress has won various awards among which are; Best Supporting Actress 2012 & 2013 award respectively at the 10th Africa Movie Academy Awards.
JOKE SILVA
Joke Silva, MFR is a Nigerian actress, director and businesswoman. A graduate of the University of Lagos and the Webber Douglas Academy of Dramatic Art in London, she began her career in film in the early 1990s. In 1998 she had a major role, starring opposite Colin Firth and Nia Long in the British-Canadian film, The Secret Laughter of Women. In 2006, she won “Best Actress in a Leading Role” at the 2nd Africa Movie Academy Awards for her performance in ‘Women’s Cot’, and “Best Actress in a Supporting Role” at the 4th Africa Movie Academy Awards in 2008 for her performance as a grandmother in ‘White Waters’.
Silva is married to actor Olu Jacobs. The couple founded and operate the Lufodo Group, a media corporation that consists of film production, distribution assets and the Lufodo Academy of Performing Arts. Silva is Director of Studies at the latter. She is also the pioneer managing director of Malete Film Village, in association with the Kwara State University.
On 29 September 2014, Silva received recognition as a Member of the Order of the Federal Republic, one of Nigeria’s National Honours, at the International Conference Centre in Abuja.
FUNKE AKINDELE-BELLO
The popular and versatile actress came to limelight in the Sitcom series, ‘I Need to Know’. The mother of two gained more popularity in 2008. Jenifa has been a force to reckon with as this has skyrocketed her into big fame in the industry. She is intelligent, hard working and has bagged so many ambassadorial deals. She is no doubt a role model to lots of people in the industry.
TOYIN ABRAHAM
Toyin Abraham is another actress that has made her mark in Nigerian movie industry. Apart from being a filmmaker, she is a director and producer. Toyin is popularly called Worldbest by her fans and loved ones. Worldbest started her career in 2003. She has featured in several movies, and also produced a lot of movies too.
The mother of one is very hardworking and a jovial personality. She won Best Supporting Actress Feature Film Hakkunde in 2017, and also won Africa magic viewers’ choice awards 2020, Best Actress in a Drama Elevator Baby.
MERCY JOHSON OKOJIE
The damsel, Mercy Johson, started her acting career immediately after her secondary school education in 2004. She has starred in a lot of movies. Mercy won the Best Actress award at the 2013 Africa Magic Viewers Choice Awards for her role in the comedy movie Dumebi the Dirty Girl. She was also appointed as the Senior Special Assistant (SSA) to the Kogi State governor on entertainment, arts and culture in 2017.
Mercy is a force to reckon with in the movie industry.
GENEVIEVE NNAJI
She started her acting career as a child actress in the then-popular television soap opera Ripples at the age of eight. Genevieve has starred in so many movies. She is a filmmaker, director and a producer. The mother of one has won various awards. She is a role model to a lot of people in the movie industry.
KATE HENSHAW
She started her acting career in 1993. Kate who has now turned a fitness coach has starred in several movies. She is a household name in the movie industry as she has won several awards among which are; Africa Movie Academy Award for Best Actress in a Leading Role in 2008.
Mercy Aigbe, among other women have also contributed a lot to Nigerian movie industry,
As the world marks Women’s Day, these women are also celebrated for their contribution in Nollywood.