Here are 10 rising Nollywood Actors You Should Watch in 2024.
The Nollywood audience has seen the growth of potential actors and actresses who have become their favourites in recent years.
It’s great to witness new and talented performers and actresses from various walks of life grace the Nollywood movie stage. Nollywood has produced both young and old, experienced and prospective performers who have kept audiences glued to the many types of films seen on cinematic platforms.
Over the years, Nollywood has had several generations of stars and admirers. Saint Obi, Susan Patrick, and Regina Askia were among the pioneers of Nollywood in the 1990s. In the early 2000s, we were smitten with RMD, Genevieve Nnaji, and Omotola Jalade Ekeinde. In the mid-2000s, we imitated fashion trends set by Ini Edo, Jim Iyke, and Rita Dominic. And, with the support of Adesua Etomi, Deyemi Okanlawon, and Somkele Iyamah, unleashed box office magic in the 2010s.
However, as streaming and international projects become more common, a new crop of bankable stars is destined to join the OGs. Read this list of 10 rising Nollywood actors you should watch in 2024 and memorise their names because they’ll most likely be on your screens for a long time.
1. Tobi Bakre
Tobi Bakre is a Nigerian actor, model, host, compere, and photographer who was born on June 1, 1994. Tobi rose to prominence after placing as a finalist in Big Brother Naija (season 3) in 2018.
Tobi Bakre is the only Big Brother alum who has overcome the “can’t act” charges. Tobi arrived in Nollywood at a time when the business was struggling to find leading men capable of selling films with their charisma and looks. He also decided to take on the mammoth task of carrying the industry’s action genre on his back.
The actor and TV personality debuted in 2018 with a role in the Africa Magic TV series Hustle, but it wasn’t until his appearance in the 2019 film ‘Sugar Rush’ that he got his big break. He has since been in well-known Nollywood films such as ‘Brotherhood’ and ‘The Blood Covenant’ (2022). His lethal collaborations with Jade Osiberu in Brotherhood, in particular, merit appreciation since they illustrate the significant improvement he has undergone, and Gangs of Lagos cemented his reputation as one of our generation’s top performers.
2. Mike Afolarin
Mike Afolarin, also known as Ishaya, is a Nollywood actor, photographer, short film director, and movie producer who was born on September 1, 1993.
Mike Afolarin, an actor, began his career while still a student at the University of Lagos with the stage production ‘Magic Time’ in 2013. But he’s more than just an actor; he’s also a filmmaker.
On short films such as ‘The 3rd Rule’ and ‘Ajuwaya’ (2017), the actor has worked as an assistant director as well as a set designer.
He rose to notoriety in the Emamode Edosio film ‘Kasala’ (2018) for his role as Chikodi, but his performance in the Netflix series ‘Far From Home’ took him to new heights. He has appeared in films in the previous three years such as; ‘Your Excellency’ (2019), ‘Inspector K’ (2020), ‘Soole’ (2022), and others.
3. Genoveva Umeh
Genoveva Kenechukwu Umeh (born 8 May 1995) is a British-Nigerian actress who goes by the stage name Genoveva Umeh.
Genoveva relocated to Lagos, Nigeria in 2018 to pursue a profession as an actress. HOME, a one-woman stage drama she created and performed, premiered at the Lagos Fringe Festival in Lagos, Nigeria, then a year later in Bloemfontein, South Africa. In December 2018 and 2019, she also played Lami in Rue14 Studios’ stage play, ‘High,’ which aimed to raise awareness about substance addiction among youth.
She was one of the first students enrolled to Ebonylife Creative Academy, hoping that her talents would be recognised. She later appeared in short films such as “Monitoring Spirits,” for which she won best supporting actress for her part as “Sara.”
Genoveva Umeh first appeared on Nigerian television in May 2022. Timileyin, Kola’s troubled sister (played by Deyemi Okanlawon), was her character in the popular Netflix drama ‘Blood Sisters.’ She returned to the big screen as Ozinna in ‘Far From Home’ in December 2022, receiving praise for her performance yet again. The sky appeared to be the beginning for this young and talented actress.
Genoveva looks like she’ll be around for a long time, with her present role on the new season of MTV Shuga and an appearance in the upcoming Amazon Prime original film, Breath of Life, opposite Wale Ojo and Eku Edewor. However, I don’t believe anyone is complaining.
Read Also: 10 Most Handsome Nollywood Actors
4. Tomi Ojo
Tomi Ojo was born on January 1, 2000, and is a great Nigerian actress and model.
Her career in Nollywood began with parts in short films, web series, drama series, and feature-length films.
Her role as Rahila Bello in the Netflix Original Drama series “Far From Home” launched her to fame.
Tomi began her acting career by doing online research, watching YouTube videos, auditioning, and joining a theatre group to enhance her skills. Her early career included auditions for lead and sub-lead roles in Lagos-produced short films, and she was fortunate to be cast in productions like as Far from Home, She Must Be Obeyed, Back to School, Adire, and others.
5. Temisan Emmanuel
Temisan Emmanuel, also known as Taymesan, is a Nigerian podcast host, actor, and television personality. He is the host of the Tea with Tay podcast.Temisan Emmanuel’s witty podcast and internet presence are well-known.
In recent years, the actor has primarily played supporting roles in Nollywood films such as ‘Smart Money Woman’ (2021), ‘Dwindle’ (2021), ‘Fate Of Alakada’ (2020), and others, where his humorous demeanour has flourished. He played the fashionable secretary Tommy in the 2022 remake of the 1994 film ‘Glamour Girls,’ and he also acted in the Nigerian horror film ‘Ile Owo,’ directed by Kayode Kasum. We’re excited to see what side of Taymesan we get to see this year as he pursues an acting career.
6. Maurice Sam
Maurice Samuel Oluwaseun, also known as Maurice Sam, was born in Lagos, Nigeria on March 12, 1990. He is a Nigerian model, actor, DJ, and TV personality. Maurice Sam has garnered significant notoriety for his film appearances and has established himself as a well-known social media influencer.Maurice Sam has the charm and excellent looks to play his roles. The actor made his acting debut in 2015 after featuring in the Africa Magic television series “Hotel Majestic.” Maurice Samuel’s professional acting career took off in 2016 when he was cast as Acid in the popular Nigerian television series “Hustle.” His excellent performance on the show instantly established him as a national celebrity. He has since appeared in a number of notable films and television shows. He didn’t get his big break until 2022, when he joined the cast of ‘Blood Sisters,’ one of Nollywood’s most successful films, as a hired assassin.
Since ‘Blood Sisters,’ the actor has acted in a variety of films, including ‘When Men Cry’ (2022), ‘Perfect Assistant,’ and others.
7. Gbugbemi Ejeye
Oritsegbubemi Ejeye (born June 29, 1995) is a young Nollywood actress, model, and television personality from Lagos, Nigeria. Gbubemi Ejeye, her professional name, is more well-known.
Gbugbemi Ejeye is well-known in Nigeria for her part as Talia in African Magic’s “Covenant.” But it’s her role in Far From Home that puts her on this list. She plays Adufe, a club dancer who swiftly falls into a life of crime and drugs. Many Nigerians were talking about her and appreciating her talent as a result of her character’s change in the role she played.
Gbugbemi’s career as an actress began in November 2018, when she returned to Nigeria after completing her NYSC stint. She began working in the media field right away, appearing in some theatrical acts and exhibiting her inherent skill.One of her most memorable performances came in 2018 at Terra Kulture, when she co-starred in the play “Colour Me Pink” about breast cancer with other brilliant cast members.She also began auditioning for film roles in Lagos, where she was fortunate to land some interesting opportunities to demonstrate her acting abilities in various films.
Gbubemi Ejeye has been a recognised figure in the Nigerian entertainment business over the years, having appeared in a variety of film productions ranging from short films and drama series to feature-length Nollywood films.
8. Moshood Fattah
Moshood Fattah (born February 26, 1991) is a Nigerian theatre and cinema actor, as well as a model.
Moshood Fattah began his career as a performer in 2015, after playing the murderous child soldier Gwanza in the Spirit of David Musical. Since then, he has appeared in numerous theatrical productions, including ‘Fela and the Kalakuta Queens’ (2017) and ‘Heartbeat’ (2016), both of which were produced by Bolanle Austen Peters.
After securing a role in the Netflix Original Drama series Far From Home, he rose to international recognition. He played Michael in the drama series.
In 2022, Moshood Fattah will appear in Funke Akindele’s box-office smash Battle On Buka Street.
9. Dianne Russet
Precious Diane Yashim, also known as Diane Russet, is a filmmaker, actor, producer, business enthusiast, and former Big Brother 4 housemate.
Diane Russet has produced and starred in three short films and a series, including Therapist, Bayi, Storm, Mo and Mel, There is Something Wrong with the Bamideles, and ‘Ricordi’, in which she co-starred with Nigerian politician and former senator Dino Melaye to raise awareness of social issues and illnesses.
She garnered nominations for her film “Bayi” for the 2022 Africa Magic Viewers’ Choice accolades, and Mo x Mel was nominated for the following accolades in 2022.
She was named Best Original Drama Series at the Africa Magic Viewers’ Choice Awards in 2023.
She is a well-known movie star and one of the best. She now works as a professional chef and the CEO of Russet’s Kitchen.
10. Chimezie Imo
Chimezie Imo born on January 7, 1992 is a Nigerian model and actor. He is most recognised for his parts in the MTV Shuga Naija and Nimbe shows.
Chimezie Imo is one of the rare performers in Nollywood who is underappreciated yet sorely needed. Chimezie always eats, whether he’s portraying a disturbed or thrill-seeking youngster in coming-of-age films like Nimbe and Kasala, or the lead in a psychological thriller like Choke. He’s criminally undervalued and immensely brilliant. You never know what to expect with Chimezie. But that’s what you get from an actor whose range can leave you on the edge of your seat or in a pool of tears. Look for the actor in Breath of Life, an upcoming Amazon Prime drama starring Genoveva Umeh and Wale Ojo.
Chimezie starred in the psychodrama “Choke” in 2022 and garnered accolades for his acting as a sickle cell patient who gradually spirals out of control.
Chimezie was nominated for Best Actor in a Leading Role in Africa Movie Viewers Choice Award in 2023 for Choke.