In this article I will be sharing with you the top 6 highest paid Nollywood actors in Nigeria. Nollywood is one of the fastest growing film industries in the world, ranking as the world’s third largest movie industry by volume, just behind India’s Bollywood and American Hollywood. In 2014, the Nigerian Federal Government released data placing Nollywood as a $3.3 billion sector, while later the film The Wedding Party broke the box office records as the highest grossing movie of all time with a whooping sum of $1.3 million net profit.
So therefore after a careful study and research I present to you the top 6 highest paid Nollywood actors in Nigeria.
6. Mike Ezuruonye
Nollywood actor Mike Ezuruonye was born in September 1982. He is a purposeful, dedicated and gifted personality. The banker turned actor has featured in several Nollywood movies. He received two nominations for Best Actor in a Supporting Role and Best Actor in a Leading Role at the Africa Movie Academy Awards in 2008 and 2009 respectively. Mike Ezuruonye studied Accounting at Nnamdi Azikiwe University. His first movie was Broken Marriage, and he has since featured in many other movies. Mike Ezuruonye bags endorsement deals with telecommunication companies Globacom and Airtel. Mike Ezuruonye earns N1.1 million per movie making him the number 6 highest paid Nollywood actor in Nigeria.
5. Ramsey Nouah
Ramsey Nouah is a Nollywood actor, popularly known as a lover boy. He loves featuring in romantic films alongside with Genevieve Nnaji and has since carved out a name for himself. Well known in quite a lot of films acted in Nigeria. Ramsey Nouah joined Nollywood in 1996 and has featured in over 300 movies till date. As an actor, he made his money by acting and through brand endorsements. The handsome actor is regarded as ‘Nollywood’s lover boy’ because of the romantic roles he plays in movies. Ramsey Noah earns N1.2 million per movie making him the number 5 highest paid Nollywood actor in Nigeria.
4. Chidi Mokeme
Chidi Mokeme is a Nollywood actor and a host of a TV reality show. He was the host of Gulder Ultimate Search Reality Show. He was born on 17th March 1972 in Anambra State, Nigeria. He is currently married to Jean Olumba Mokeme. He is a graduate of Institute of Management and Technology (IMT) Enugu. He earns his money through film acting, event management, TV hosting and brand endorsement. Chidi Mokeme started acting in 1995 and has since become successful in his career, featuring in scores of Nollywood movies. His fame reached its peak when he presented in the first two seasons of popular Nigerian reality TV show Gulder Ultimate Search. Chidi Mokeme earns N1.3 million per movie making him the number 4 highest paid Nollywood actor in Nigeria.
3. Jim Iyke
Jim Iyke real name is James Ikechukwu Esomugha. He is widely regarded as Nollywood’s bad boy. Jim Iyke is a Nollywood actor and has been in the Nigerian movie industry (Nollywood) for over 2 decades. He has won so many awards to his credit. He is a popular and a purposeful actor. Jim Iyke has grown and excelled in the entertainment industry. He makes his money by acting, producing, brand endorsement and his personal entrepreneur businesses. Some of his awards include Best Actor at the African Achievement Award, Best Actor at the Nigerian Entertainment Awards and Best Actor at the Africa Movie Academy Awards. Jim Iyke is a budding actor and entrepreneur with investments in Burgeon (a table water bottling company), Untamed Records (a movie production company), and Untamed Closet (a clothing line). He has featured in Last Flight to Abuja, When Love Comes Around and American Driver. Jim Iyke is also the founder of Jim lyke Foundation for Children with Special Disabilities. Jim lyke earns N1.5 million per movie making him the number 3 highest paid Nollywood actor in Nigeria.
2. Desmond Elliot
Desmond Elliot is a famous Nollywood actor, director and a film producer. The actor turn politician is fast becoming a household name as he has done several movies, soap operas and TV shows. Though as a politician, he still features in movies as part time. As an actor, Desmond Elliot has acted in over 250 movies till date. Generally, he has made his money especially from acting, directing, producing, adverts and brand endorsement deals from reputable companies. He is truly a man with class. Desmond Elliot is a graduate of Economics from Lagos State University. He has featured in over two hundred films, including a number of television shows and soap operas. He is also a director with a number of blockbuster Nollywood movie credits to his name. He ventured into politics in 2014 and won the Surulere Constituency on April 11, 2015 Nigerian General Election. Desmond Elliot earns N1.7 million per movie making him the number 2 highest paid Nollywood actor in Nigeria.
1. Richard Mofe Damijo (RMD)
Richard Mofe Damijo popularly known as RMD is a well known and very hardworking actor. He has been in the Nigerian movie industry (Nollywood) for quite some time. He has won several awards. He is a man of class operating in his own league. RMD is a Nigerian actor and a politician. He joined politics few years ago and was appointed as commissioner of culture and tourism in Delta State by the Delta State Governor. He is currently the brand ambassador for GLO. RMD earns his money from acting and brand endorsement. RMD is the highest paid Nigerian actor of all time. He studied Theater Arts at the University of Benin, and later went to study law at the University of Lagos. He became popular when he featured in the TV soap opera Ripples in the early 90s. He also served as a former Commissioner for Culture and Tourism to the government of Delta State, Nigeria. RMD has multi-million Naira endorsements deals with telecommunication giant Globacom and beer brand Heineken. RMD earns N2 million per movie making him the number 1 highest paid Nollywood actor in Nigeria.