Nollywood is the second largest film producer in the world, despite the fact that the Nigerian economy has suffered in recent years, with the naira trailing far behind Africa’s highest currencies.
The industry was a significant contributor to Nigeria’s Gross Domestic Product (GDP) in 2016, contributing 2.3% (239 billion NGN).
The Nollywood industry has produced all of our favourite and most respected actresses. The Nigerian film industry has everything, from delectable models to those emitting sweet-smelling, long-lasting fragrances that have been ingrained in our memories.
Surprisingly, in the last ten years, Nollywood has experienced a meteoric rise in popularity. Thus resulting in the emergence of youthful Nollywood actresses.
Old actresses in Nollywood, with a career history of 15 to 20 years, have maintained their position in the industry despite no longer being common sights on our television screens.
Many of these elderly Nollywood actresses have amassed substantial wealth through their acting careers, placing them at the top of the list of the wealthiest actresses in Nigeria in 2023.
A select few have starred in Hollywood productions, enhancing their acting careers. Others have been granted the opportunity to create blockbuster films for international streaming platforms. While some African actors have been recognised by Forbes as the most prominent in their field, others have not.
All of these accomplishments have earned these actresses the right to be dubbed the wealthiest in Nigeria in 2023.
Please continue reading to learn more about their identities, careers, and rising net worth.
1. Genevieve Nnaji Net worth $12M
The award-winning actress Genevieve Nnaji is the wealthiest and one of the highest-paid among the top five richest actresses in Nigeria in 2022.
Since 2005, when she won the Africa Movie Academy Award for Best Actress, she has won a string of awards and received international recognition. Genevieve has climbed the fame and wealth ladder through hard labour.
The veteran actress, one of Nollywood’s industry pioneers, has remained relevant and a source of inspiration for aspiring actors in the field.
It is not surprising that she has been able to establish a prosperous career empire, making her the wealthiest female actress in Nigeria.
Genevieve Nnaji was born on May 3, 1979 in Mbaise, Imo State to parents Theophilus Nnaji and Benedetta Nnaji.
She grew up in a middle-class family as the fourth of eight children; her father was an engineer and her mother was a primary school teacher.
Genevieve Nnaji’s acting career
Nnaji launched her career at the age of eight on the then-popular soap opera Ripples.
Creative arts graduate of the University of Lagos, In 1998, at the age of 19, the film Most Wanted introduced her to the burgeoning Nigerian film industry.
She starred in the 2010 Oscar-nominated film Ijé: The Journey. She has appeared in more than 200 Nollywood films.
Genevieve, a woman of many talents, attempted her hand at music. Nnaji acquired a recording contract with the Ghanaian record label EKB Records in 2004 and released her debut album One Logologo Line.
In 2004, she won the face of Lux contest.
By 2009, the gorgeous actress was Nigeria’s highest-paid female actor. Genevieve had invested so much in the industry that in 2009, Oprah Winfrey referred to her as the Julia Roberts of Africa on her programme.
In 2015, Genevieve produced her film Road to Yesterday, which won the 2016 Africa Magic Viewers’ Choice Award for Best Film Overall-West Africa.
Genevieve Nnaji made her directorial début on September 7, 2018 with Lionheart, the first Netflix original film from Nigeria and the country’s first Oscar entry. Later, it was disqualified for being too British. The global premiere of the film occurred at the 2018 Toronto International Film Festival.
Genevieve’s Source of income
Genevieve’s fortune is primarily derived from her acting, endorsements, and real estate investments.
The 42-year-old actress has signed lucrative endorsement deals with Amstel Malta (N40 million), Citron Energy Drink (N45 million), Polo (N75 million), and Etisalat (N100 million).
After the sale of Lionheart to Netflix, the veteran Nigerian actress Genevieve entered the billionaire club.
She reportedly sold it for $3.5 million while retaining complete copyright and possession of the film.
According to Forbes, Genevieve’s net worth in 2021 was $9.2 million, while Nnaji’s is $12 million.
2. Ibinabo Fiberisima Net worth-$8M
Ibinabo Fiberesima is the second wealthiest actress in Nigeria. She is the first president of the Actors Guild of Nigeria, a former beauty queen, and an event manager.
The gorgeous actress is also one of the industry’s pioneering actors.
Born in Dublin, Ireland, on January 13, 1971 to a Nigerian father, Chief Dr. Dawaridabo Babatunde, and an Irish mother, Mrs. Bisola Fiberesima.
Ibinabo graduated from the University of Ibadan with a Bachelor of Arts in English Language and Literature.
Currently serving as brand ambassador for Air Peace and Image Makeup Nigeria. Since 2002, Ibinabo Fiberesima has also served as the National Director of the Miss Earth Nigeria Beauty Pageant.
Ibinabo Fiberesima’s controversies
In 2009, Ibinabo was charged with manslaughter and negligent driving for the 2006 accident that resulted in the death of Dr. Giwa Suraj. Ibinabo was removed as president of the Actors Guild of Nigeria and sentenced to five years in prison by a Federal High Court sitting in Lagos on March 16, 2016.
On April 7, 2016, a Court of Appeal in Lagos granted her parole in the amount of 2 million with two sureties in the same amount pending the outcome of her appeal before the Supreme Court.
Ibinabo Fiberesima’s source of wealth
Ibinabo Fiberesima, who has worked on over 200 films, has co-produced several films. According to current estimates, her net worth is approximately $8 million.
3. Funke Akindele’s Net worth is $7.6M
In 2023, the renowned Nigerian actress and producer Funke Akindele Bello ranks as the third wealthiest actress in Nigeria.
The renowned actress Funke Akindele is recognised by CNN as a Hollywood celebrity for her 1998 role in the sitcom “I need to know.”
Funke was born in Ikorodu, Lagos State, in the western region of Nigeria on August 24, 1977. She is the second child in a family of five (parents and three children).
The 44-year-old actress has more than a decade of acting experience.
Her work ethic and aptitude have cemented her in the sands of time and in the minds of the public.
Due to her starring role in the film Jenifa, she earned the moniker Jenifa. Funke Akindele received the 2016 Africa Magic Viewers’ Choice Award for Best Actress in a Comedy for her performance in the main role of Jenifa’s Diary.
Funke Akindele’s source of income
Akindele has been appointed as an Ambassador for Dettol, Irokotv, Keystone Bank, and Waw Nigeria, and her hit television series “Jenifa’s Diaries” has garnered widespread local and international acclaim. This business produces detergent and bar soap.
In 2021, the highest-grossing film in Africa was ‘Omo Ghetto: The Saga’ by Funke Akindele-Bello.
This significant accomplishment increased her estimated net worth by $7.6 million.
4. Omotola Jalade’s Net worth- $7.2M
Omotola Jalade Ekeinde, a Nigerian actress, performer, philanthropist, and former model, is the fourth wealthiest actress in Nigeria in 2023. Since her 1995 Nollywood film début, Omotola has appeared in over 300 films, which have sold millions of copies on video.
Omotola, dubbed “Omosexy” for her stunning appearance, has created a name for herself in the entertainment industry alongside stars such as Genevieve.
The media has referred to her as the genuine Africa Magic, a renowned award winner.
Her parents and two younger siblings, Tayo and Bolaji Jalade, were present at her birth on February 7, 1978. Her mother worked at J.T. Chanrai Nigeria, and her father worked at the YMCA and the Lagos Country Club.
Alongside Michelle Obama, Beyoncé, and Kate Middleton, the veteran actress is revered as an icon and was named one of Time magazine’s 100 most influential individuals.
Omotola Jalade Ekeinde’s career
Omotola made her acting debut in the Reginald Ebere-directed 1995 film Venom of Justice. 1995’s critically acclaimed film Mortal Inheritance featured Omotola Jalade in her first significant role.
Since then, she has starred in a number of critically acclaimed films, including Games Women Play, Blood Sisters, All My Life, Last Wedding, My Story, and The Woman in Me.
As a result of a defining incident in Mortal Inheritance.
Omotola won “Best Actress in an English-Speaking Film” and “Best Actress Overall” at the 1997 Movie Awards, becoming the youngest actress in Nigeria to do so.
The veteran made her film acting debut in 2010 with Ije. The film became Nollywood’s highest-grossing film at the time.
Omotola Jalade, considered Africa’s highest-grossing actress, observed her 20th anniversary in the entertainment industry in 2015. Omotola has appeared in more than 200 films to date.
Omotola Jalade’s source of income
The primary source of Omotola’s wealth is her thriving acting career and endorsement agreements with brands such as Unilever-owned Knorr, Scanfrost, and Ghanaian cosmetics giant Ghandour’s BO16 hair range.
The estimated value is $7,2 million.
5. Rita Dominic’s Networth-$6M
Rita Dominic, a multiple-award-winning Nollywood actress, is the fifth wealthiest Nigerian actress.
Rita, regarded as one of Nigeria’s highest-paid actresses, has remained motivated and eager to continue delivering value with her talents.
Cofounder of Audrey Silva Company and one of Nigeria’s highest-paid actresses. Rita Dominic is presently the CEO of Rita Dominic Productions and a GLO Ambassador.
The actress was the youngest of four children and was born on July 12, 1975. Rita graduated from Port Harcourt’s Theatre Arts programme in 1999.
Rita Dominic’s Career
In 1998, Rita Dominic starred in her debut film, A Time to Kill. Rita Dominic has appeared in over 100 Nollywood film productions, including:
- Accidental Discharge – 2003
- White Waters (This film received 12 nominations at the 2008 African Movie Academy Awards, winning 4 awards, including the awards for Best Cinematography and Best Sound) – 2008
- Suru Lere (with Cameo) – 2016
- 76 – 2016
- Mr. and Mrs. Chapter 2 – 2017
- The Blindspot – 2018
- Bound – 2018
- Light in the Dark – 2019
- The Big Fat Lie – 2019
Rita Dominic’s source of income
Rita Dominic earns a substantial amount of money from her acting career and numerous endorsement agreements.
BK Unique Hair (Canadian luxury hair), Flat Tummy Tea (herbal weight loss beverage), Zaron Cosmetics, Keystone Bank, and Intra-African Trade Fair (ITF) Goodwill are among her business relationships.
In 2021, Rita Dominic became the brand ambassador for LG electronics.
The veteran actress has a net worth of $6m.
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