Richest Nollywood Actors And Their Net Worth (2022)
While we sometimes focus on hailing our beautiful Nollywood actresses for a job well done in our movie industry, the fact remains that the male actors bring out the beauty in these female superstars. And fortunately for them, they earn good money for the wonderful work they do in front of the cameras.
Acting is currently one of the highest-paying careers in the country, and it is not only the actors who are reaping the benefits, the talented scriptwriters, producers, directors, costume designers, make-up artists, waka passers are also earning good amounts for their different roles as well.
In fact, Nollywood has actually grown to the point of paying actors more money than other Nigerian professionals earn for doing an equally good job in their industry, however, this is not to say that everyone who becomes an actor in the movie industry gets super-wealthy overnight. For the men smiling to the bank consistently nowadays, see the Richest Nollywood Actors And Their Net Worth (2022).
8. Alexx Ekubo – N415.18M ($1M):
This Nollywood fine boy was born on the 10th of April 1986 and his birthplace was Port Harcourt, Nigeria. He stormed the Nollywood industry after he emerged 2nd in the 2010 Mr Nigeria beauty contest, and he is very popular for his several detectives, playboy and gold-digging roles in the industry.
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Some of his best Nollywood projects include “The First Lady,” “The American King: As told by an African Priestess” and “Hot Girl Next Door.” His personal life has not been all rosy though as Alex Ekubo and his ex-fianceee, Chigozie Fancy Acholonu, recently called off their engagement and wedding planned for last year.
Alex Ekubo’s net worth is around $1 million and he bought a Toyota Land Cruiser SUV in 2021 to prove his hard work has been paying off. Add that to the 2012 Chevrolet Camaro sport convertible worth N5.9 million he owns already and the brand new ride he bought for his lovely mother in 2020.
Months back, Alex came out to say that while he agrees that money does not buy happiness, it gives human beings freedom that will then give us time to discover what makes us happy. Ekubo added that this is why he would urge Nigerian youths to always strive to have money because it opens a lot of doors.
The actor’s growth from a model to a household name in the movie industry is simply down to talent, hard work and consistency, and popular comedian, AY Makun believes his success is well deserved because he is a complete entertainer.
According to AY Makun, he likes a lot of things about Ekubo, including his respect for everybody, his pure thoughts conversations, relationships and also his self-control. The comedian said Alex fully understands his identity and knows his worth, and he is one who never shies away from celebrating the success of his colleagues in the industry.
AY added that the movie star is the funniest comedian we don’t get to see on stage and he is never scared to get billed wherever he is. The comedian even joked that the actor does not like seeing his food delayed, and anyone who hides his hairbrush automatically becomes an enemy.
7. Odunlade Adekola – N415.18M ($1M):
Popular Nollywood actor, singer, filmmaker, producer and director, Odunlade Adekola is a complete superstar. He was born on the 31st of December, 1978 and his birthplace was Abeokuta, Nigeria. This famous movie star is a force to reckon with in the Yoruba movie industry and he married his wife, Ruth in 2003, who birthed his 4 sons that also wish to be actors in future.
The actor has an estimated net worth of $1M and his list of luxury achievements includes a mansion in a rich neighbourhood of Abeokuta, a multimillion-naira hotel in Ogun State, and 2 expensive cars, including a Range Rover Sport.
This successful movie star went to St John’s Primary School and then had his secondary school education at St. Peter’s College in Abeokuta. After his graduation, he continued his education at Moshood Abiola Polytechnic. According to him, his acting career began at a very early age in church, Christ Apostolic Church, Abeokuta, a memorable period when he and his friends would play jesters during church services. He added that he even wrote mini-scripts for specific acting projects at the time.
Odunlade then joined the Association of Nigeria Theatre Arts practitioners and became a student of Nollywood great, Ishola Durojaiye. Fast forward till now, Adekola has featured in over 100 Yoruba movies, sealing his legacy as a force to reckon with in the Nollywood industry. Some of his best projects include Alani Pamolekun (2015), Mufu Olosa Oko (2013), Baba Super (2012), Oyenusi (2014), Monday Omo Adugbo (2010), and Emi Nire Kan (2009).
As far as awards are concerned, Odunlade Adekola has been recognized by several award organizers, including “Best Actor of the Year (2009, 2011, 2014, 2015)” at the City People Entertainment Awards, “Best Actor (2014)” at the Africa Movie Academy Awards, “Best Actor” at the African Magic Movie Awards, “Best Existing Actor (Pepeye Meje)” at the African Magic Movie Awards and “Best Actor in a Comedy (A Million Baby, 2018)” at the African Magic Viewers Choice Award.
A major factor that has clearly contributed to Odunlade Adekola’s success in the industry is the fact that he is a meme king. This actor’s funny facial expression is a constant on social media platforms, and fans have always appreciated him for it. This meme success has even gone a long way in attracting international websites to his booming brand.
All of these and more have led to his more than 4.1 million followers on Instagram, giving him the edge over his pairs in the movie industry. In fact, if Africa Magic Yoruba shows 10 movies in one day nowadays, Odunlade will appear in about 70% of them for Nollywood fans that understand the language to stay glued to their TV sets.
6. Nonso Diobi – $1M:
Born on the 17th of July, 1976, this Nollywood actor and film director is from Enugu State, Nigeria. He joined the film industry in 2001 and he has enjoyed steady growth and success since then. Nonso became a household name when he was featured in the 2001 movie titled, “Across the Bridge.” Since then, he has acted in more than 200 other movies, including successful ones like “Makers of Justice,” and “Bafana Bafana.”
His net worth has since been estimated to be about $1M and he must be enjoying his money steadily since he is even rumoured to be single. This talented actor is known to own a luxurious car, but no one knows the brand because he does not flaunt it online or at events.
5. Segun Arinze – N622.77M ($1.5M):
This legendary Nollywood actor and singer is another name that had to be on this list. He was born on the 24th of September 1965 and in Onitsha, Nigeria.
He grew his brand by flaunting his acting talent over the years before becoming the head of the Actors Guild of Nigeria years back. Segun Arinze is very famous for his roles in the movie, “Black Arrow,” and TV series, “Ripples.”
After amassing lots of wealth, he currently has 6 kids from 3 different women, including his ex-wife, Ann Njemanze. His kids are Morenike, Ayo, Femi, Victoria Ejiamatu, Ebunoluwa, plus he has a young daughter whose name was not disclosed. The movie star owns a burglary-proof SUV and a stunning mansion he and his family call home.
4. Yul Edochie – N830.36M ($2M):
Born on the 7th of January 1982, this Nollywood guru is an actor and model, and he was born in Lagos, Nigeria. Being the son of legendary movie icon, Pete Edochie, Yul stormed the industry in 2007 after starring in a Nollywood movie titled, “Wind of Glory.”
The politician is currently a proud dad who regularly flaunts his polygamous marriage online but he will be remembered for his excellent acting on our TV screens for so many years. He got married to Mary in 2004, and their 4 kids are named Kambi, Dani, Karl, and Victory Zane Chukwubuike Yul-Edochie. Unknown to his first wife, however, Yul welcomed another son with his Nollywood colleague, Judith Austin in 2021 and made her his second wife.
With his undoubted talents, quality background, business skills, and forward-thinking mindset, Yul Edochie has since established himself as one of the pacesetters in the movie industry, and he is cashing out while doing that.
3. Olu Jacobs – 954.91M ($2.3M):
Another name Nollywood will never forget, Olu Jacobs is actually one of the very few Nigerian actors who has featured in international movies. He has featured in more than 100 Nollywood films and a few British films as well. His net worth is roughly $2.3 million, and his wife Joke Silva actually bought him a car when he announced his retirement from the movie industry.
2. Kanayo O Kanayo – N1.03BN ($2.5M):
This Nollywood legend made his debut in Nollywood in 1992 via the very successful “Living in Bondage,” and he has grown to feature in more than 300 other movies since then. His net worth of about $2.5 million and this makes him one of the most successful actors Nollywood has ever birthed.
To prove his wealth and success, Kanayo O Kanayo flaunted his N71 million Bentley Continental GT several years ago, while rocking purple attires to match his beautiful purple ride.
1. Emeka Ike – N1.25BN ($3M):
Rising to fame in 1997 after his debut movie “D eadly Affair,” Emeka Ike eventually quit acting because he was unhappy with the developments in the industry. However, before bowing out, the movie star was surely one of the first names seen as pillars of the movie industry.
His several successful exploits in Nollywood led to him amassing his $3M within a work-filled period of time. He is currently exploring the real estate sector and he has several lucrative investments that are bringing rewards.
