Check out the list of the most influential women in
Nollywood. The list was compiled by iCampus
magazine and they set out the criteria used in
generating their most influential list as follows;
“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.” The list is not in any
particular kind of order….
Uche Jombo
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.
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.
Rita Dominic
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.
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.
Mercy Johnson
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
Emem Isong
Emem Isong is not an actress but her fame and
most especially her influence far exceed most of
the established faces. She has established herself
as the foremost female movie producer in
Nollywood both in the days of Asaba and in the
new Nollywood, she boldly tell friends and
acquaintances that she has never lost money in
movie business. She gave a lot of our established
stars first lead and till date she’s still giving leads,
making movies, selling movies and raking in
millions. She added the director-ship title to her
many titles and from the look of things, Emem
might still add more.
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’.
Source: stargist.com
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