Before you claim to be a huge fan of Yoruba Nollywood, do you know the women who bring characters to life and win the hearts of cinema lovers? If not, this article is here to help you catch up with the Yoruba Nollywood actresses who keep you glued to your screens.
Lanre Hassan
With an acting career that has spanned over five decades, Lanre Hassan, AKA Iya Awero belongs in the upper echelons of Nigerian cinema. The septuagenarian kicked off her career on stage after joining dramatist Ojo Ladipo’s theatre group in 1964. She would go on to take acting classes facilitated by Nobel Laureate, Prof Wole Soyinka. Over the years, Hassan’s performance has shone in productions like Owo Blow, Sade Blade and Kemi Adetiba’s King of Boys.
Idowu Philips
Idowu Philips, aka Mama Rainbow, is a Yoruba cinema icon. Acting came to her by chance after she took over a drama group from her late husband, Ayanfemi, in 1984. After the group disbanded, she continued to take every movie role available. Her notable works include Apaadi, Ogidan, and Airtel’s The Inlaws.
Peju Ogunmola
Peju Ogunmola made a quiet debut in Ade Love’s 1979 film Kadara as a secondary school student. Over the years, she has made a significant impact with her exceptional acting. Her ability to portray characters with an unmatched depth and authenticity have made her a go-to for producers and directors. Experience her at her best in productions like Koseegbe, King of Thieves and Ahon.
Sola Sobowale
Kemi Adetiba might have dragged mummy Sola Sobowale back to the shores of Nigeria in 2016 to play Tinuade Coker in Ebonylife’s The Wedding Party, but she’s been a screen OG from the days of Tade Ogidan’s Diamond Ring (1998) and Wale Adenuga’s Superstory: Oh Father, Oh Daughter (2001).
In her 20-year career, Sobowale has brought some of Nollywood’s most memorable characters to life. She played the iconic Eniola Salami in Adetiba’s political thriller, King of Boys, and flexed on us with her role as Awarun in Kunle Afolayan’s Anikulapo (2022). Some of her notable works include Ohun Oko Somida, Battle on Buka Street and Madam Dearest.
Toyin Afolayan
A favourite among the Gen-Z for phrases like “Pele, my dear” and “Soro Soke, wayray”, Toyin Afolayan is Nollywood royalty. She rose to fame as Mama Adisa in Deadly Affair (1995) and has dazzled with performances in Omoge Lekki, Akalamagbo, and Iyekan. She’s also Ade Love’s younger sister and the aunt of filmmaker Kunle Afolayan and actors Aremu and Gabriel Afolayan.
Fausat Balogun
Famously known as Madam Saje, the thespian started her acting career in 1975 after she completed primary school. She would later join Lagos Television (LTV 8) in 1980, where she shot Abeni Ajagun, and move on to NTA 7 in 1991 for a show with Baba Suwe called Erin Kee Kee, which birthed the name Madam Saje. Her career has seen an upward spiral ever since; watch Ofin Igbeyawo, Atila and Alase Aye for proof.
Ronke Ojo
People throw the word “household name” around, but not many movie stars easily embody this description as much as Ronke. The actress went mainstream in 2000 after featuring in the Yoruba movie Oshodi Oke. She’s not a stranger to delivering masterclass-worthy performances, whether in Yoruba or English-speaking productions. Her significant works include Gangs of Lagos and Ajosepo.
Funke Akindele
From playing Bisi in the family TV series I Need to Know (1997-2002) to becoming a leading Nollywood figure, Funke Akindele wears many hats. She’s an actress, producer, writer, and director. Her self-directed film A Tribe Called Judah set box office records in 2024. Notable works include Jenifa Maami, Omo Ghetto: The Saga, and Battle on Buka Street.
Toyin Abraham
My first onscreen encounter with Toyin Abraham was in the 2012 Yoruba movie Mr and Mrs Jejeloye, where she played a problematic wife, and I knew she’d be around for a long time. Since then, the actress has donned multiple hats in the industry while proving herself as one who’s got it. Cast her in an English or Yoruba-speaking role, and you’d get your money’s worth. Key works include Prophetess, Ijakumo, Alakada Reloaded, and King of Thieves.
Fathia Williams
If your name is reason enough for people to spend a sizeable chunk of their time in front of a screen, then you’re surely doing something right. This is the case with Fathia Williams. The actress has worked her way into the hearts of movie lovers and delivers through and through when the camera starts rolling. Her impressive filmography includes Onome Aganga, Jagun Jagun, and Igi Owo.
Mercy Aigbe
Think of a Theatre Arts graduate putting her degree to good use, and the Edo-born actress comes to mind. Mercy Aigbe’s almost-two decades career kicked off in 2006, and since then, she’s made her mark in the hearts of Nigerian cinema lovers.
Although you’ll mostly catch her in Yoruba productions, she doesn’t turn down the opportunityto feature in English-speaking movies. In 2023, Aigbe made her cinema debut with her self-produced movie, Ada Omo Daddy. Some of her other works include Omo Ghetto: The Saga, Ajakaju, and Palava.
Iyabo Ojo
Young movie lovers might have mistaken her for a TikTok sensation during the 2020 COVID-19 pandemic, but that’s a testament to Iyabo’s versatility when it comes to bringing characters to life. And she’s been at it for over a decade — in 2023, she marked her 25th year in the movie industry. Catch the best of the actress in notable works like Onome Aganga, Arinze, and Momiwa.
Mide Martins
It’s been 22 years since the demise of Funmi Martins’, and her daughter, Mide Martins, has carried on with her legacy in the movie industry. You can only count some of the biggest Yoruba movie productions in the last decade and leave out Mide Martins. Every other week, clips of the actress in action make it to the internet, making social media users conclude she’s a younger version of Sola Sobowale. Some of her notable works include Omoge Lekki, Akalamagbo and Iyekan.
Adunni Ade
From landing her first major role in the 2013 movie You or I to heading to the cinema with her first project, Soole, in 2021, Adunni Ade has come a long way. The actress is a much-loved face for both Yoruba and English-loving movie lovers, which is a testament to how well she knows her onions. Her notable works include She Must Be Obeyed, Tokunbo and Soole.
Bimbo Ademoye
Bimbo Ademoye is among Yoruba Nollywood actresses who’s been at it for a while, and it’s beautiful to see the actress getting all the flowers. Cast as one of the major characters in Kunle Afolayan’s Anikulapo metaverse, her efforts have paid off in the industry. Other notable works include Big Love, Breaded Life, and Gangs of Lagos.
Eniola Ajao
Young movie lovers might have caught up with the actress after her 2024 box office hit, Ajakaju (Beast of Two Worlds), but she’s been holding it down in Yoruba Nollywood for a hot minute. The accounting graduate launched her acting career in 2004 and has established herself as one of the leading ladies in Nollywood. Her notable works include Alani Pamolekun, Eri Oni, Ojo Keta, and Daramola.
Kehinde Bankole
In June 2023, for the first time in a long while, X users (Formerly Twitter) collectively agreed on one thing: Give Kehinde Bankole her flowers. We knew she was a leading woman in Nollywood, but we needed Biodun Stephen’s Sista to remind us just how iconic the Kehinde Bankole of SuperStory, The Set Up and Tainted Canvas is.
Whether she’s playing the iconic Funmilayo Ransome Kuti in a Yoruba biopic or playing a sex worker in the English-speaking Netflix movie, Adire, she’s a GOAT in all rights.
Pamilerin Ayodeji
Jade Osiberu’s Gang of Lagos introduced us to the talent that is Maleek Sani of Ikorodu Bois, but with him was another rare Nollywood gem — Pamilerin Ayodeji.
Pamilerin was cast as Teni, a younger version of Bimbo Ademoye, and the way she ate the role up? I made a quick dash to Google search because where is more of this young queen? The Father, Special Friends and most recently, Alone, are some of her other notable works.
Eyiyemi Afolayan
Filmmaker, Kunle Afolayan, cast his first daughter, Eyiyemi, because “she’s beautiful and a natural at acting”, and, we get it. Her debut as Princess Omowunmi on Anikulapo was a hit that had social media calling for the head of her character. She’s set to make a bigger comeback in the second season of Anikulapo.
Darasimi Nadi
Kayode Kasum’s Obara M stayed with me for many reasons, but one thing I couldn’t shake off was Darasimi Nadi’s performance as Ihunanya. Cast alongside veterans like Nkem Owoh and Nancy Isime, the 11-year-old matched their energy head-to-head, earning herself a Best Supporting Actress BFF award. Catch her magic in projects like The Pretty Ones Are the Loneliest, Tokunbo and Smokescreen.
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