20 Highest Paid Nigerian Actors & Actresses [Nollywood]
20 Highest Paid Nigerian Actors & Actresses. In this article, you will see Top 20 Highest Paid Nollywood Actors & Actresses In Nigeria Movie Industry. The Nollywood industry has produced many billionaires and multimillionaires in Nigeria and West Africa.
The truth is, Nollywood’s upcoming actors are also doing well because the monthly income of someone who joined the industry for ten years can earn more than a monthly salary of a doctor, engineer, or lawyer. However, this does not imply that everyone who becomes an actor in Nigeria becomes successful overnight.
Nollywood is one of the fastest growing film industries in the world and this status has come with numerous accolades.
In fact, many of the blockbuster movies produced in Nollywood like 30 Days in Atlanta and Wedding Party have gone on to earn hundreds of millions of naira in the national cinemas.
Subsequently, the growing revenue in Nollywood has been a positive for many actors and actresses in the industry with these individuals greatly increasing their earning potential.
The likes of Genevieve Nnaji and Omotola Jalade have become highly paid Nollywood celebrities from acting as well as due to their popularity on social media. As a result, these stars have earned quite a fortune from endorsement deals.
See Also: Cost Of Producing Nollywood Movie: All You Need To Know
20 Highest Paid Nigerian Actors & Actresses
Also, the likes of Pete Edochie, Nkem Owoh and Clarion Chukwura can pinpoint their high earnings to their longevity in the industry.
In this post, we take a look at 20 of the highest paid Nollywood celebrities based on their income from both endorsements and movies.
20 MARY REMMY NJOKU
Mary Njoku is the CEO of Rok Studios and the wife of the founder of Iroko TV, Jason Njoku.
She has featured in movies like Sound of Love, Critical Truth, The Faculty, Face of Africa, Brave Mind, Doctor May, Great Betrayal, Raging Passion, Royal Fathers, Apaure and Blackberry Babes.
Her company, Rok Studios was founded in 2013 and some notable production from the stable of this studio include Hazeezat, Thy will be done and Festac Town. Njoku is said to be worth an estimated $1 million
19 PATIENCE OZOKWOR
Popularly called Mama G, Patience Ozokwor is a veteran actress with over 4 decades of experience in the Nollywood movie scene.
Over the years, she has won several awards which include Best Supporting Actress at the 10th Africa Movie Academy Awards; she was also one of the 100 Nigerians honoured by the Federal Government during 100 year celebration of the amalgamation of 1914.
Mama G is earns millions of naira from starring in movies and she’s reportedly worth an estimated $1 million. In 2014, Mama G opened a multimillion naira plaza in Enugu town.
18 DANIELLE OKEKE
Danielle Okeke is one of the richest actresses in Nollywood with an estimated net worth of $1 million.
She’s known to charge between N3 to 5 million per movie. She’s a lover of cars with over several luxurious cars in her garage. She also has a palatial mansion in the eyebrow area of Lekki.
Some of the movies she has featured in include Sleek Ladies, The Boss Is Mine, Show me Heaven, Stronger than Pain, Principality, Indecent desires, Rush Hour, The Evangelist, True Confession and Garden of Love & Tears.
17 CLARION CHUKWURA
With over 30 years experience in the Nigerian film industry, Clarion Chukwura is a veteran that has certainly paid her dues. She shot into limelight when she starred in the 1982 Nigerian drama film, Money Power alongside Shina Peters.
Acting has been a rewarding career for the Anambra-born actress has she is said to be worth an estimated $1.1 million. She is the mother of popular music video director, Clarence Peters.
She is a recognized United Nations Ambassador for Peace due to her charitable activities not only in Nigeria but across Africa.
See Also: Top 10 Nollywood Producers In Nigeria (Movie Producers)
16 INI EDO
Ini Edo is one of the most popular female faces in Nollywood. She is known to have featured in movies like Power of Beauty, Political Control, Ass on Fire, Breath Again, Fatal Seduction, Games Men Play, Girls Cot, The Greatest Sacrifice and Married to the Enemy.
Her acting career took off in 2000 and she has featured in over one hundred movies since then. She has enjoyed several multimillion naira endorsement deals. She was a Glo Ambassador from 2006 to 2016. Currently, she’s the brand ambassador of Noble Hair and SlimTea Nigeria.
In 2016, she was appointed as the Special Assistant to the Akwa Ibom State Governor on Culture and Tourism by Udom Gabriel Emmanuel.
Due to her charitable activities, she was appointed by the United Nations as the United Nations Habitat Youth Envoy.
15 FUNKE AKINDELE
Popularly called Jenifa, she is the producer of the award winning series, Jenifa’s Diary. She is also the brand ambassador of IrokoTv.
Jenifa has an endorsement with Omo. She was also a Glo ambassador for a few years. According to her, she used her endorsement money start the popular Jenifa’s Diary.
Currently, she runs a foundation called the Jenifa Foundation which nurtures upcoming talents and helps youth acquire vocational skills.
14 OMOTOLA EKEINDE
Also known as Omosexy, Omotola Jalade is a veteran in Nollywood with over 100 movies to her credit.
She is married to pilot, Captain Matthew Ekeinde. She is a United Nations World Food Programme Ambassador. Also, she has an NGO Project called the Omotola Youth Empowerment Programme (OYEP).
Omotola is an ambassador of Knorr by Unilever, B016 hair range by Ghandour and Nigeria Liquefied Petroleum Gas Association (NLPGA).
Just over a year ago, Omotola decided to put her endorsement money to good use by opening a multimillion naira event centre in the Ikeja area of Lagos.
See Also: Top 10 Most Awarded Artistes In Nigeria
13 MERCY JOHNSON
Mercy Johnson is another rich actress, she is said to charge an average of N2 million per movies, rumoured to have a net wort of $1.6 Million and she sometimes shoots up to 5 movies in a week.
Although she doesn’t have any endorsements from any of the popular brands, the screen goddess has been able to put her acting to good use.
She has a foundation, the Mercy Johnson Foundation for Children and Widows (TMJFCW).
12 GENEVIEVE NNAJI
Genevieve Nanji is arguably the most popular actress in Nollywood. Although, her movie appearances have decreased over the years, her wealth has continued to increase.
Over the years, she has won very lucrative sponsorship deals. One of such was the Faxe of Lux in 2004. In 2010, she was made the Face of MUD in Nigeria. She has also signed deals with the likes of Amstel Malta, Etisalat, Polo Designer Company and Range Rover Evoque.
With regards to earnings from endorsements, Genevieve is said to be the richest celebrity in Nollywood.
11 RITA DOMINIC
Rita Dominic is the richest actress in Nollywood with a net worth of $2.6 million.
Apart from her earnings from acting, Rita Dominic is also from a wealthy family in Imo State.
In the past, Dominic has signed lucrative endorsement deals. She was the brand ambassador of Canadian luxury hair brand, BK Unique Hair.
10 PETE EDOCHIE
- Born: 7 March 1947
- Age: 75 years (as of May 2023)
- Birthplace: Enugu, Nigeria
- Spouse: Josephine Edochie
- Children: Yul, Leo, Eva, Uche, Linc, and Gene Edochie
- Occupation: Actor and television personality
Pete Edochie is a veteran Nollywood actor. He began his career as a broadcaster before branching off into acting.
He featured in the movie adaptation of the best selling novel by Chinua Achebe, ‘Things Fall Apart’. Edochie played the role of Okonkwo in the movie.
Pete Edochie has been in the movie industry for over 40 years. Over the years, the ace actor has amassed quite some wealth for him with an estimated worth of $3.8 million.
Edochie has 3 children in the movie industry, Yul and Linc.
See Also: Top 20 Richest Musicians in Nigeria And Their Net Worth (Forbes)
9 NKEM OWOH
- Born: 7 February 1958
- Age: 64 years (as of May 2023)
- Birthplace: Udi, Nigeria
- Spouse: Ngozi Nkem Owoh (1998 to present)
- Children: 2 daughters
- Occupation: Actor, musician, comedian, and movie producer
Popularly called Osuofia, Nkem Owoh is a popular Nigerian actor and he is said to be worth an estimated $3.9 million.
His acting career began as far back as the 1980s when starred alongside Pete Edochie in the movie, Things Fall Apart. He has over 100 movies to his credit.
Owoh is an MTN ambassador and he’s said to own landed properties in Enugu and Imo State. His mansion in Imo is located in a high brow area of Owerri and is said to be worth hundreds of millions of naira.
8 RAMSEY NOAH
- Born: 19 December 1970
- Age: 51 years (as of May 2023)
- Birthplace: Edo, Nigeria
- Spouse: Emelia Philips-Nouah (2002 to present)
- Children: Quincy, Desiree, and Camil Nouah
- Occupation: Actor and director
Popularly known as Nollywood’s lover boy, Ramsey Noah is one of the most popular and richest actors in Nollywood.
He started his acting career in 1993 when he starred in the popular Nigerian TV soap opera, Fortunes. He has since gone to feature in scores of award winning movies earning millions of naira along the way.
Ramsey Nouah is married to Emelia Philips and they have 3 children together.
7 JOHN OKAFOR
- Born: 17 October 1961
- Age: 60 years (as of May 2023)
- Birthplace: Nkanu West, Nigeria
- Spouse: Stella Maris Okafor (2015 to present)
- Children: Emmanuel Mandela, Chelsea, and Jay Jay Okafor
- Occupation: Actor and comedian
Popular known as Mr Ibu, John Okafor is a Nigerian actor and comedian that also feature on our list. Okafor is reputed to be one of Nigeria’s most talented comic characters particularly known for his humorous acting.
He was born on 17 October 1961 and is married with children. He has featured in movies like Mr.Ibu, Mr.Ibu in London, Police Recruit, 9 Wives, Ibu in Prison and Keziah.
Over the last few years, he has signed multimillion naira endorsement deals with the likes of GoTV and Merrybet.
6 MIKE EZURONYE
- Born: 20 September 1982
- Age: 39 years (as of 2023)
- Birthplace: Lagos, Nigeria
- Spouse: Nkechi Nnorom (2010 to present)
- Children: 2
- Occupation: Actor
Mike Ezuronye is a banker turned actor. He studied Accounting at the Nnamdi Azikiwe University. He is one of the richest Nollywood celebrities with a net worth of $4.7 million.
Mike has featured in scores of movies since he debuted as an actor, some of these include Endless Passion, Broken Marriage, Beyond Reason, Critical Decision, Unforeseen, Occultic Kingdom, Desire, Ropes of Fate, Keep Me Alive, Unforgivable and the Duplex.
5 SEGUN ARINZE
- Born: 24 September 1965
- Age: 56 years (as of May 2023)
- Birthplace: Onitsha, Nigeria
- Spouse: Anne Njemanze (Separated in 2010), Julie Arinze (2008 to present)
- Children: 6
- Occupation: Actor and singer
Segun Arinze is an actor, singer, producer and director. He is also a voice over artiste for TV and radio commercials.
He shot into limelight as an actor when he featured in the movie, Black Arrow. He also featured the popular TV soap opera of the 90’s Ripples. Segun Arinze has in over 200 movies, some of which include Silent Night, Women in Love, Anini, Darkest Night and Invasion 1897.
Prior to his sojourn into acting, he studied Dramatic Arts at the Obafemi Awolowo University.
Segun Arinze is quite rich and influential as he was the former national president of Actors Guild of Nigeria (AGN).
4 CHIDI MOKEME
- Born: 17 March 1972
- Age: 50 years (as of May 2023)
- Birthplace: Anambra, Nigeria
- Spouse: Jean Olumba Mokeme (2012 to present)
- Children: Noah and Emem Daniel Mokeme
- Occupation: Actor and reality show host
Chidi Mokeme is a Nigerian actor and the host of the popular Gulder Ultimate Search (GUS). His earnings are largely from his work with GUS team.
Mokeme has been acting since 1995 and has featured in scores of Nollywood movies. He is said to be worth an estimated $7 million.
He is married to Jean Chinwe Olumba. The couple met at President Barack Obama’s inauguration ball in Maryland, USA in 2008 and got married 2012.
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3 DESMOND ELLIOT
- Born: 4 February 1974
- Age: 48 years (as of May 2023)
- Birthplace: Lagos, Nigeria
- Spouse: Victoria Elliot (2003 to present)
- Children: Denzel, Desmond Junior, Donald, and Dawn Elliot
- Occupation: Actor, director, and politician
Desmond Elliot is a popular actor turn politician. He is also a movie producer. He has featured in over 200 Nollywood movies. Some of which include Men Who Cheat, Reloaded, Yahoo Millionaire, 30 Days in Atlanta and Atlanta.
Elliot was also a one time Glo Ambassador. The actor was able to use his earnings from movies to campaign and secure a seat as a member of the House of Representatives of the Surulere Constituency.
Elliot is a graduate of Economics from the Lagos State University.
2 RICHARD MOFE DAMIJO (RMD)
- Born: 6 July 1961
- Age: 60 years (as of May 2023)
- Birthplace: Aladja, Nigeria
- Spouse: May Ellen Ezekiel (Separated in 1996), Jumobi Adegbesan (2000 to present)
- Children: Oghenekome Mofe Damijo
- Occupation: Actor, writer, producer, lawyer, politician, and former journalist
With an estimated networth of $15 million, Richard Mofe Damijo popularly called RMD is the 2nd richest and highest paid Nigerian actor.
He studied Theatre Arts in the University but he initially started out as journalist and publisher before venturing into acting. He became popular when he featured in the TV soap opera, Ripples in the later 80’s
He was the former Commissioner for Culture and Tourism in Delta State. RMD is also a lawyer. He studied law at the University of Lagos and graduated in 2004.
RMD has multimillion naira endorsements deals with the likes of Glo and Heineken. Also, he has landed properties in Lagos and Delta. His mansion at Asaba is rumoured to be worth over N250 million.
1. JIM IYKE – N12.46 billion ($30 million)
- Born: 25 September 1976
- Age: 45 years (as of May 2023)
- Birthplace: Libreville, Gabon
- Spouse: Dana Kinduryte
- Children: Harvis Chidubem Iyke
- Occupation: Actor, entrepreneur, and film producer
James Ikechukwu Esomugha (alias Jim Iyke) tops the list of the richest Nollywood actors, with a $30 million net worth. He is the only son in a family of eight children, and his debut film in Nollywood was Last Flight to Abuja.
He starred alongside actors Hakeem Kae-Kazim and Omotola Jalade Ekeinde. Jim Iyke has won various awards as an actor, made business investments, and also makes more money as a producer. Some of Jim Iyke’s machines are:
- Chevrolet Camaro
- Plymouth Prowler Convertible
- Camero SS Convertible
- Mercedes G Wagon
- Dodge Challenger
- Range Rover Sports
Who is the richest actor in Nigeria in 2023?
The top 10 richest Nollywood actors in 2023 are:
- Jim Iyke – N12.5 Billion ($30 million)
- Richard Mofe Damijo – N2.9 Billion ($7 million)
- Desmond Elliot – N2.1 Billion ($5 million)
- Ramsey Nouah – N1.8 Billion ($4.5 million)
- Clem Ohameze – N1.8 Billion ($4.5 million)
- John Okafor – N1.7 Billion ($4.2 million)
- Nkem Owoh – N1.6 Billion ($4 million)
- Pete Edochie – N1.6 Billion ($4 million)
- Okechukwu Ukeje – N1.5 Billion ($3.7 million)
- Chinedu Ikedieze – N1.4 Billion ($3.6 million)
How much do Nollywood actors get paid?
Nollywood actors are paid between N200,000 and N400,000 per film.
Who is the highest-paid actor in Nollywood?
Richard Mofe-Damijo is the highest-paid actor, with an N2 million pay rate per movie.
Who is the richest Nigerian actress?
Genevieve Nnaji is Nigeria’s richest actress, with a $10 million estimated net worth.
Who is the richest actor in the world?
Tyler Perry is the wealthiest actor worldwide, with a $1 billion net worth.
The richest Nollywood actors in 2023 command a massive following on their social media pages. Most of them have over a million followers on Instagram alone. Some publicly fluent their wealth, while others prefer to keep their riches private.
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