1. Eve Esin

Born on the 17th of October, in Oron, Akwa Ibom state, Eve Esin is a Nigerian actress. She lived her early life in Akwa Ibom State, and had both her primary and secondary there.

She proceeded to the University of Calabar, Cross River where she graduated with a BSc. degree in Theatre Arts.

Esin became a Nollywood actress in 2008, and her to leave her banking job. She has since then starred in over 100 movies.

 

Eve Esin was the winner of the City People Entertainment Awards for Most Promising Actress in Nigeria in 2015, the Best Actress in a drama at the AMVCA and the AMAA award for Best Actress in a Supporting Role.

 

2. Caroline Danjuma

Caroline Uduak Abasi Ekanem Hutchings Danjuma popularly known as Caroline Danjuma is a famous Nollywood actress, television personality, model and a philanthropist. She was born on 26 June 1980 in Uyo, Akwa Ibom State in the south southern part of Nigeria. She is the first child in a family of 3 children. She is very beautiful, intelligent, creative and talented.

Caroline Danjuma completed both her primary and secondary school education in Uyo, Akwa Ibom State in the south southern part of Nigeria and obtained her First School Leaving Certificate and West African Senior School Certificate.

 

After completing her primary and secondary school education, Caroline Danjuma proceeded to University of Calabar in Cross River State, Nigeria and graduated with a Bachelor’s Degree in Environmental Protection Management, Geography and Regional Planning.

In 2004, Caroline Danjuma was introduced into the Nigeria movie industry (Nollywood) by Chico Ejiro through Rita Dominic and started starring in Chico Ejiro’s popular films. In 2004, she rose to fame after starring in the blockbuster movie “Deadly Care” alongside with Rita Dominic. The movie was produced and directed by Chico Ejiro. After the success of “Deadly Care” Caroline Danjuma starred in another blockbuster movie “Deadly Kiss” which gave her a nomination for Best Actress in Nigeria at the Africa Movie Academy Awards.

Caroline Danjuma has acted in more than 150 Nollywood movies which include Deadly Care, Deadly Kiss, Missing Angel, The Captor, Foreign Affairs, Real Love, The Twist, A Second Time, The Beast, The Angel, etc.

 

In August 2017, Caroline Danjuma was honored for her advocacy programs centered on building capacities of Nigerian youths by a Pan-African organization.

In 2007, Caroline Danjuma got married to Musa Danjuma, the younger brother to Nigerian billionaire Theophilus Danjuma. The marriage is blessed with two sons and a daughter. Due to misunderstanding which could not be resolved, Caroline Danjuma and her husband Musa Danjuma got divorced and were separated in 2016.

She was less frequent in Nollywood after her marriage to Musa Danjuma, the younger brother to Nigerian billionaire Theophilus Danjuma. In 2016, Caroline Danjuma returned back to Nollywood after her breakup with her husband Musa Danjuma and produced satrred in her first Nollywood popular romantic thriller movie “Stalker” alongside with Jim Iyke and Nse Ikpe Etim.

 

3. Ini Edo

Iniobong Edo Ekim is a Nigerian actress, producer and entrepreneur. She began her film career in 2000. Today, Ini Edo has appeared in over 100 films, and is one of the richest and highly paid actresses in Nigeria. Indubitably, she is a famous actress in the Nigerian film industry, Nollywood.

 

Ini Edo was born on April 23, 1982 in Akwa Ibom, Nigeria. She was born as the second of four children, into a family where there was strict upbringing. Her father was an elder in the Church, and her Mother, a Teacher. Ini Edo attended Cornelius Connely College, Uyo. She then moved to the University of Uyo where she graduated with a Diploma in Theatre Arts. Thereafter, to the University of Calabar for a Bachelor’s Degree in English. Then in 2014, she was awarded a scholarship to study Law at the National Open University of Nigeria.

 

Ini Edo got married to an American-based Nigerian businessman, Philip Ehiagwina in 2008 but got divorced in 2014.

Ini Edo’s career in acting kick-started in 2000. Luckily, a producer discovered her in an audition and she launched into the African movies in 2003, with a debut appearance in Thick Madam. In 2004, she rose to stardom after featuring in the film, World Apart.

 

4. Liz Benson

Liz Benson was born on the 29th of April 1966 in Etinawa, Akwa Ibom State, Nigeria.

She attended Sylvania State College in the United States of America where she bagged a degree in Dramatic Arts.

Benson began acting as a 5 year old but she didn’t become popular until much later when she starred in the award winning television soap opera, Fortunes in 1993.

 

She played the role of Mrs. Agnes Johnson in the series which ran for about two years on the Nigerian Television Authority network.

Her role in Glamour Girls in 1994 was another one that shot her into limelight.

 

Liz Benson’s first movie was Circle of Doom where she played a minor role in the movie. Recently, the actress starred in the movie, Busted which was released in 2017. She featured along side the likes of Kate Henshaw, Paul Obazele and Ik Ogbonna.

Benson was married to Samuel Gabriel Etim who died in 1998. His death left with 3 children to cater for. But according to Benson, her late husband was a loving father and husband and his character as a person gave her the strength to go on and be there for her children.

 

Benson would later met Bishop Great Emeya. Although, she was initially reluctant when he proposed, some things happened later on that dissipated her skepticism. The couple got married to Bishop Great Emeya on the 18th of July, 2009 after which they travelled to the United Kingdom for their honeymoon.

Bishop Emeya is the presiding Bishop of Rainbow Christian Asembly which is located in Warri, Delta State.

Currently, Benson works with her husband as an evangelist in Delta State with her husband where they run their ministry, Freedom Family Assembly.

 

5. Regina Askia

Regina Askia is a famous Nollywood actress, producer, model, television personality, social activist and an American-based registered nurse.

She was born on 17th May 1967 in Lagos State in the south western part of Nigeria. She is originally from Ukanafun, a small village in Akwa Ibom State in the south southern part of Nigeria. She is very beautiful, intelligent, creative, gifted and talented and has been described as Nollywood best actress of all time and also Nollywood most beautiful actress of all time.

 

Regina Askia completed both her primary and secondary school education in Lagos State, Nigeria and obtained both her First School Leaving Certificate and West African Senior School Certificate. Regina Askia had the passion for acting at a very tender age and started acting from her secondary school days. She had so much passion for acting and wanted to study a course related to Theatre, Drama or Performing Arts in the university. While growing up Regina Askia has done so many stage performances and has acted in several stage dramas. She is a member of many theatre and dramatic clubs while still in school and was attending movie auditions right from her undergraduate days.

After completing her primary and secondary school education, Regina Askia proceeded to University of Lagos (UNILAG) and graduated with a Bachelor’s Degree in Biology. In 1989, Regina Askia contested and won the Most Beautiful Girl in Nigeria, a beauty pageant hosted by Silverbird Television. In 1990, Regina Askia represented Nigeria at Miss Charm International beauty pageant held in Leningrad, Russia and came out as the First Runner-up. Regina Askia also made history by becoming the first Nigerian at Miss International in Japan with outstanding traditional costume.

 

In 1993, Regina Askia joined the Nigerian movie industry popularly known as Nollywood and acted in her first television soap opera “Fortunes” a film that gave her an advantage in Nollywood and draw her closer to movie directors and producers in Nigeria. In 1995, Regina Askia rose to fame after acting in the Nollywood blockbuster movie “Most Wanted” an action thriller movie where she acted as a disguised male arm robbery. The movie won her an award for Best Actress in a Leading Role at the Africa Movie Academy Awards.

 

Regina Askia has acted in over 150 Nollywood movies. Some of the movies she has acted include Slave Warrior, Festival of Fire, Dangerous Babe, Man Snatcher, Full Moon, High Way to the Grave, Most Wanted, Fortune, and many more.

She has quit acting and has relocated to the United States of America with her family, where she is currently practicing as a full time registered nurse. Regina Askia is currently married to an American citizen Rudolph Williams and together the couples are blessed with two beautiful kids. Regina Askia in the cause of her career as a Nollywood actress has been listed in many publications as the most beautiful actress in Nigeria and also one of the highest paid actresses in Nigeria. Since she quit the industry nothing much has been heard of her. She now lives quietly in America with her family where she is currently practicing as a registered nurse.

 

6. Nse Ikpe-Etim

Nse Ikpe-Etim, born 1974, is a Nigerian actress. She came into prominence in 2008 for her role in Reloaded . She was nominated for Best Actress in a Leading Role at the 5th and 8th Africa Movie Academy Awards for her role in Reloaded and Mr. and Mrs. , respectively. In 2014, she won the Best Actress in a Drama award at the 2014 Africa Magic Viewers Choice Awards for playing “Nse” in Journey to Self .

 

Etim was born in Lagos. Etim attended Awa Nursery School and Command Primary School in Kaduna State , from where she then furthered her studies at St Louis College, Jos, and the Federal Government Colleges in Jos and Ilorin . She said that her family was often transferred to various regions of Nigeria due to her father’s career with the Central Bank of Nigeria. Etim got her first degree in Theater Arts from the University of Calabar.

 

Etim is the first of six children. In an interview with Toolz , she stated that she’s had Caucasian Godparents. She married her childhood friend Clifford Sule on 14 February 2013 at a Lagos registry. A traditional wedding ceremony followed in her hometown in Akwa Ibom State and Lagos State , respectively, some months after the civil union. She currently resides in London with her husband, a senior lecturer at Middlesex University who frequents Nigeria for film engagements.

At 18, Etim started acting on stage at the university. Her first television appearance was in the family soap Inheritance. After her graduation from university she temporarily left the film industry to venture in other endeavours before making a comeback with Emem Isong’s Reloaded alongside Ramsey Nouah , Rita Dominic , Ini Edo and Desmond Elliot.

 

In December 2019, Nse Etim was featured in the Visual Collaborative Polaris catalog, under the Supernova series for humanities, she was interviewed alongside people such as; William Coupon, Bisila Bokoko and Ade Adekola.

 

7. Didi Ekanem

Born in Akwa-Ibom, Didi Ekanem is a fast rising Nollywood actress. Asides her acting skills, she’s particularly popular for her big bum which she doesn’t hesitate to flaunt on social media.

Didi Ekanem attended the University of Port Harcourt where she studied Linguistics and Communications.

Prior to gaining admission into the University, Didi attended a couple of secondary schools. She initially attended Federal Government College, Ikot Ekpene before proceeding to Macdonald Memorial School where she completed her secondary education.

 

Didi started acting while in the university. She was involved in stage acting for a year before venturing into acting in Nollywood.

As an actress, Didi’s goal is to win the Best Movie Actress Award in Nollywood and to gain international recognition by becoming the first Nigerian to win an Oscar for starring in a Hollywood movie.

Some of the movies she has featured in include Jump and Pass, Journey to Dreamland, Royal Rituals, Escort Service, Brazilian Hair Madness, Ikogosi, True to Love, Crazy Girls, Dining with the Devil.

 

8. Hekka Hedet

Hekka Hedet is a fast rising nollywood actress.

The Akwa Ibom born banker turned actress is a massive talent that will definitely go places given her determination and skills.

She hails from uruan local government of Akwa ibom state.

 

She hold a P.G D in international relations and strategic studies from Lagos State University.

She has starred in several nollywood movies such as “The Oracle of Money, “Devil in A Dress” directed by Pascal Amanfo “Temple of Serpent, Agony of An Orphan” by Chike guide “Occultic Brothers” “ZAM the Truck Pusher” “Village Babes” by Uche Nancy “Port Harcout Babe” etc.

 

9. Mercy Macjoe

Mercy Macjoe is a popular Nigerian actress, movie producer and entrepreneur born on June 20, 1993.

Macjoe originally hails from from Eket, Akwa Ibom State.

She was born and raised in Lagos State as the sixth child in her family.

She obtained her second degree at National Open University where she studied Mass Communication.

Mercy Macjoe started acting professionally in 2011 with many challenging roles.

She got her first role in the movie “Lonely Princess”.

She has also starred in other numerous movies such as Zenith of Love, Midnight Crew, Bread of Life, Girl Next Door, Shame, Madalene, Crown Queen, Roayl First Class, Brazilian hair babes, Blackberry babes 2 and many others.

She also produced her first movie titled “Red” in 2018.

Mercy Macjoe has worked with top actors such as Mike Ezeruony e, Peggy Ovire and so on.

Mercy Macjoe has been nominated for numerous awards such as; City People Award for Best Supporting Actress of the Year (English) and City People Movie Award for Best New Act of the Year (English).

 

10. Annie Macaulay Idibia

Annie Macaulay Idibia is a famous Nollywood actress, television presenter, model, entrepreneur and a philanthropist. She was born on 13 November, 1984 in Ibadan, Oyo State in the western part of Nigeria. She is the only female child in a family of four children comprising of three boys and one girl.

Annie Macaulay Idibia is originally from Eket in Akwa Ibom State in the south southern part of Nigeria. Annie Macaulay Idibia grew up in Ibadan, Oyo State, Nigeria alongside with her family, where she completed both her primary and secondary school education and obtained both her First School Leaving Certificate and West African Senior School Certificate. She moved to Lagos with her mother after the divorce of her parents.

 

After her parents divorced, her mother got a job with Mobil working as a cook to support the family. Thereafter, they moved to Jakande Estate and later to Thomas Estate in Lekki, Lagos State, Nigeria. At the age of 15 years old, Annie Macaulay Idibia lost her younger brother to tuberculosis disease.

After completing her secondary school education, Annie Macaulay Idibia proceeded to Lagos State University (LASU) and graduated with a Bachelor’s Degree in Computer Science. After that, she proceeded to University of Lagos (UNILAG) and graduated with a Bachelors Degree in Theatre Arts.

 

In 2009, Annie Macaulay Idibia joined the Nigerian movie industry (Nollywood) and acted in her first movie “Pleasure and Crime”. After the success of her first movie, Annie Macaulay Idibia acted in another blockbuster movie “Blackberry Babes” a movie that brought her to limelight. In 2009, Annie Macaulay Idibia was nominated for Best Supporting Actress at the Best of Nollywood Awards.

Prior to the start of acting career, Annie Macaulay Idibia has competed for the “Queen of All Nations Beauty Pageant” where she was placed as the first runner-up. After which she went on to feature in a cameo appearance on the music video of 2face Idibia “African Queen” alongside with Yvonne Jegede.

 

Annie Macaulay Idibia met her husband 2Face Idibia in 1999 and they started dating in 2002. Their relationship was constantly plagued with 2face Idibia cheating scandals. Though, there were times they had differences during courtship but the bond they shared and the love for each other took them to the altar.

 

On 2 May 2012, Annie Macaulay and 2Face Idibia got married and the marriage was blessed with two beautiful daughters. In December 2008, Annie Macaulay Idibia gave birth to her first daughter name Isabella Idibia outside wedlock and on 3 January 2014, Annie Macaulay Idibia gave birth to her second daughter named Olivia Idibia. Annie Macaulay Idibia also owns a beauty salon “BeOlive Hair Studio” in Atlanta, Georgia, United States of America.

Annie Macaulay Idibia has won several awards which include Best Supporting Actress at the Best of Nollywood Awards, Fast Rising Actress at the African Entertainment Legend Awards and Most Promising Actress in Nigeria at the City People Entertainment Awards.

 

11. Susan Patrick

Beautiful gap-toothed Susan Patrick was born in Akwa Ibom state, she came into the limelight after she acted in the movie ‘Sakobi: The Snake Girl’.

This made her one of the most sought after Nollywood actresses in the early ’90s. She was alleged to have snatched another woman’s hubby while a student at Lagos State University (LASU). She eventually faded away as a result of competition for most of the roles she acted.

 

12. Theresa Edem

Theresa Edem Isemin was born on January 6th, 1986 into a family of Ibibio tribe in Uyo, Akwa Ibom state, Nigeria. She is an actress, voice-over artist, writer, model and filmmaker. Popularly known as Tessy, she is one of the rising stars of the Nigerian Entertainment industry.

 

Tessy is the last and only girl of four children. She attended attended primary school and secondary school in Akwa Ibom before heading off to university at The Federal University of Technology Owerri, Imo state where she graduated with a Bs.Tech. in Animal Science and Technology.

Since starting to act professionally in 2012, Theresa’s career has developed in leaps and bounds. She played her first major role in the Royal Arts Academy production, “After The Proposal”. Following that, she featured in several stage plays, TV films and radio dramas, including, MTV’s Shuga Radio. Her big break came in 2014, when she was asked to play “Angela Dede” on M-Net Tinsel.

 

Following her success on Tinsel, Theresa has gone on to portray several major characters in films and TV series, the most notable of these being, “Princess Ama” in Ayamma, “Isioma” on Hotel Majestic and “Rita” in This Thing Called Marriage. In addition to that, she has starred in several Africa Magic Original Films (AMOFs) such as While We Worked Things Out, alongside Chris Attoh and Bakers Daughter, alongside Deyemi Okanlawon.

 

She has written several short stories and screenplays, some of which she has developed into short films. Her first short film, “Grey Area” was released in 2014. She has since produced another film, “ENO”, which was directed by Yemi Morafa (Filmboy).

In December 2015, Theresa married her friend for many years, Ubong Isemin, in Uyo. She is a devout Christian and enjoys reading (a lot), solving puzzles, watching films/TV series and spending time with her family.