The criteria used in generating their most influential is based in “the kind of money being generated in the industry, from investment, endorsement, volume of work (directly owned), popularity, brand value, and influence among the powers-that-be in politics, business and industry.”
1. Genevieve Nnaji
She might not have done any major movie of late but there is no wishing
Genevieve’s influence away in Nollywood. Time and over again, except for
‘Doctor Bello’, she has delivered top box-office returns for every
movie she featured in. Her less appearance in movies has been atoned for
with appearances on website and blogosphere. She is one of the two most
popular figures in Nollywood and has evolved into an influential and
stylish brand with cult following. Aside delivering back to back box
office returns (Ije, Weekend Getaway (despite negative reviews), Tango With Me,
Mirror Boy, and most recently, Half of a Yellow Sun), Genny as she’s
popularly called is the most ‘endorsed’ celebrity by corporate Nigeria.
She has been reported to rake in millions most bank MDs will only dream
about and has extensive investment in real estate. Aside all these,
Genny has been reported to be the most stylish of the Nollywood top
three; true or false, we can’t say but what is not in doubt is her
popularity, influence and closeness to people in the corridors of power.
Long before many people left Asaba behind, Rita Dominic did. She was
sure she has a way to evolve into something bigger. She did. She became
known for style, selected few movies and went on to produce the smash
hit, ‘The Meeting’ which reaffirmed her place as one of the leading
women in Nollywood. Her human relations skill is almost next to none.
Except for Monalisa, there is not a celebrity who won’t listen and take
action if Rita calls. So entrenched is her influence that the president sent a representative to attend the premiere of her movie in Lagos.
3. Omoni Oboli
Omoni is about the only A-list celebrity who has defied the norms in
the industry. With less than 30 movies to her credit she rubs shoulder
with who-is-who in the industry. Her rise to began after playing the
lead roles in ‘Figurine’ and ‘Anchor Baby’ between 2010/2011. She
generated conversation and ever since, people have not stopped talking
about her. She is one of the few that went to the prestigious New York
Film Academy to study directing and has so far shot three movies of her
own, expending over a total sum of N60 million. Now, Omoni has the power
to make a star out of a starlet. Her recent movie, ‘Being Mrs Elliot’
impressed from onset with the President, His Excellency Goodluck
Jonathan hosting private guests at the Aso Rock to premiere it. The
movie went on to make good impression at the box office and furthering
consolidating Omoni’s place as one of the box-office queen.
4. Stephanie Okereke
Stephanie was the first actress to break box office record in Nigerian
cinema. Despite appearing less in movies, Stephanie’s fame over the
years hasn’t waned. She runs a periodic film school in conjunction with
New York Film Academy and has trained thousands of young people making
revolutionary films. Many of them still give her kudos for bringing ‘New
York’ so to speak to Nigeria at a far lesser price. And if you don’t
know, Stephanie has the ears of Mr. President, you are definitely a
‘late-comer’.
5. Omotola Jalade-Ekeinde
It is impossible to tell the story of true Nollywood super stars without
Omotola. She crisscrosses the Nollywood stage like a person born to be a
star. She has been a star since 18, and almost two decades after,
Omos*xy is still a star. With enviable career profile that include
movies like Ije, Prostitute, Last Flight to Abuja, Blood in the Lagoon,
and a TV soap she produced and directed, Omotola has more than earned
her place. She has led more charitable causes than any other celeb, even
as far as other African countries. So huge was Omotola’s influence that
reputable Time Magazine named her as one of the world most influential
persons. Talk about continental influence.
With over 16 movies, no actress in Nigeria can boast of heavy movie
catalogue like Uche Jombo. There is also no other actress that commands
the kind of reverence Uche does among fellow actresses and actors, most
especially the young ones. The general saying is, Uche now has power to
make star of a starlet, and only a handful of people will fall into that
category in Nollywood. Despite being active production-wise, Uche’s
face still adorns numerous posters as lead actress. Aside being the
highest grossing actress-producer among her colleagues, Uche has two
known properties, one in Lagos, the other in Abia, her home town (where
she is a chief). Her influence in and out of the industry is definitely
not in doubt.
If Genevieve Nnaji (who coincidentally is the mentor of Mercy Johnson)
has delivered back-to-back return on investment (ROI) for movies in the
cinemas, Mercy Johnson
must have tripled that figure in the ‘downstream sector’ of Nollywood;
Asaba, Enugu, Aba, Lagos, Alaba, and African countries. At a point in
Nollywood, Mercy is what determines the trend of movies to be shot. If
she acts comic role and the movie becomes popular, all other producers
follow suit. If she acts corporate executive with her accentuating
curve, that will then become the movie trend. MJ is still the higest
paid actress in that part of Nollywood with the figure as much as
N2million to N2.5million per movie. The closest challengers are Ini Edo
(N1 million-N1.5million) and Chika Ike (N800 000). When she went on
maternity leave for months, many producers shut down till she
returned; Mercy is the market and the market is Mercy. As she prepares
to become a more prominent figure in New Nollywood, let’s hope she can
emulate her mentor and rule box office as well.
8. Blessing Effiong Egbe
She may not be very popular, as a matter of fact many Nollywood starlets
are more famous but what Mrs. Egbe, the director and producer of Lekki
Wives lacks in fame she makes up for in influence and money. Only few
Nollywood producers could claim to generate as much as she does in
influence especially among the upcoming and established stars that want
to star in her hugely popular series. As at last check, Lekki Wives
season 1 to 3 have sold over a million copies and a television platform
bought the right to air for a year for about N50 million. Tell me about
money and influence, there you have it.
9. Kate Henshaw
No other actress in contemporary era has transcended generation and evolved to give younger generation stiff competition like Kate Henshaw.
She was in the generation of Regina Askia and Liz Benson, moved on to
give Omotola and Genevieve a ride for their youthfulness, and now
rolling with generation of Kemi ‘Lala’ Akindoju to rock live stage.
Despite being over 40, Kate is truly ageless (an appellation first used
for her by the publisher of iCampus). Not only is she laying claim to
Nollywood stake, she is one of the few old faces adorning live stage and
charting new course for that part of Nollywood. She has the ears of the
Governor and has been wearing the toga of ambassador for several
corporate companies long before some of these present ambassadors joined
Nollywood. If you doubt Kate’s influence ask the handlers of Onga
seasoning, the kind of attention she has brought to the cooking
seasoning and they will give you reasons her contract keeps getting
renewed.
10. Ini Edo
Love or hate the Akwa Ibom born actress, Ini is a financial war-chest of
sort. Her brand value might not be at par with some Nollywood leading
ladies but you can’t count top five richest actresses in Nollywood and
her name won’t make the list. Aside being busy in both ‘old’ and ‘new’ Nollywood
commanding figures between a million and N1.5 million, she has
extensive and wide real estate investment that will make some realtors
green with envy. Aside being close to powers-that-be in Akwa Ibom, Ini
has invested in movie production as well. Aside her movies getting
bought by online platforms, DSTV, marketers in Diaspora, her DVD market
do good return on investment. And she’s beginning to exert her influence
as executive producer, something only few actresses could lay claim to.
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