The Nigerian movie industry is growing in leaps and bounds with thespians raking in millions from endorsements and merchandising. While some are cornering big deals , others have also diversified to expand their streams of income.

In this special feature, ENCOMIUM Weekly lists five bankable actresses in Nollywood.

GENEVIEVE NNAJI

Genevieve Nnaji, 36, started her acting career as a child in the popular TV soap opera, Ripples at age 8. At 19, she did her first major movie, Most Wanted, after which she did several others.

In 2004, she was chosen as the Face of Lux toilet soap, a very lucrative endorsement deal. She also launched her own clothing line in 2008 named St. Genevieve. In May 2010, she was appointed the official face of make-up designing in Nigeria. Ms. Nnaji got a deal also as the face of a US and South African brand, Cintron energy drink for N50 million. In June 2012, she was unveiled as the brand ambassador of Range Rover Envogue by Coscharis Motors, and it was reported that they paid her $100,000.

In 2014, hard work is still paying off for the screen goddess as she joined her other colleagues as Etisalat announced her as the brand ambassador for Easy Flex, which was reportedly worth N100 million. She was also signed by Polo, an endorsement worth N50 million. She recently starred in Half of a Yellow Sun, produced by Africa’s prolific book writer, Chimammanda Adichie.

OMOTOLA JALADE-EKEINDE

Omotola Jalade-Ekeinde is definitely a household name and she is known not just in Nigeria but other parts of the world. Omosexy, as she’s fondly called, began her acting career in 1995 with the movie, Venom of Justice.

She did her first major role in the movie, Mortal Inheritance and she has over 300 movies on her scorecard, including award-winning movie, Ije, which made her N30 million richer and Last Flight to Abuja in which she made N24 million.

In 2013, Omotola was honoured as one of the most influential people in the world by Time magazine alongside Michelle Obama, Beyonce and Kate Middleton.

On February 7, 2014, Omosexy turned 36. She also signed a multi-million naira deal with Ghandour Cosmetics, a company based in Ghana. She will be the Face of BO-16, a hair relaxer and hair care range for the Ghanaian company.

FUNKE AKINDELE

Pretty and likeable actress Funke Akindele shot to limelight with her popular movie, Jenifa, and Return of Jenifa 1 and 2. In Return of Jenifa, she ranked in over N35 million.

2013 was indeed a year of blessing in the life of Funke as she enjoyed some major endorsements as the ambassador for Vitaform, where she reportedly got N20 million. She also had endorsement deals with Qlichy.com, , Globacom, Klin Detergent and Lagos Inland Revenue Service.

Funke Akindele has also featured in scores of movies including A Wish, Jet Fighter, White Hunters, Sherikoko, Married but Living Single, The Hero, Oga On Top and so many others.

Recently, over 28 students graduated from her film academy, Scene One School of Drama, Allen Avenue, Ikeja, Lagos.

KATE HENSHAW

Kate Henshaw launched herself into Nollywood in 1993 with the hit movie, When the Sun Sets. She won the Africa Movie Academy Award in 2009, for the Best Actress in a Leading Role in the movie, Stronger Than Pain. The ebony actress is the ambassador of Onga seasoning and Face of Blessing Perfumes. She is also an ambassador of Samsung mobile alongside music star and label owner, Banky W.

Kate Henshaw was once one of the ambassadors for telecommunications giant, Globacom. In 2013, she released her autobiography, The Life of an Actress and it was reported she got N5 million from Rivers State government. Kate Henshaw was also among the judges of Nigeria’s Got Talent and sources claimed she was paid N43 million, including seating allowance. She is a single mother of one daughter, Ella. Kate was born on July 19, 1971.

MERCY JOHNSON

Mercy Johnson is presently one of the busiest actresses in Nollywood. The curvy thespian is the toast of many producers. Mercy is a big media brand though with no major endorsement deal yet.

The Kogi born movie role interpreter, pockets between N1.5 million and N2 million per script. While Mercy was pregnant, many movie producers struggled for her baby bum to appear on their movie jacket and they wrote scripts to align with her pregnancy.

Among Mercy’s movies are Baby Oku in America, Obioma, The Slave Girl, Heart of a Fighter, Mud of Hardship, Daniella, Endless Agony, Immaculate Heart, Painful Souls, Weeping Kingdom, and many others.

Mercy Johnson was born on August 28, 1984 and she is married to an Edo prince, Prince Okojie and their union is blessed with a daughter, Purity.

– AJOKE ONITOLO


http://encomium.ng/5-nollywood-most-bankable-actresses/

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Most Bankable Space/plot o.

In other news, dunno what people watch in Mercy Johnson. I don't like her crying roles in movies. Girl gets on my nerves with her over interpretation of roles.
Others are very brilliant actresses though, especially Kate Hensaw.

And finally, lalasticala, let's move your ministry to its permanent site.
You need to staring blogging soon.

The way entertainment news keeps flooding fp these days something tells me dat nametalkam of naijapals is a mod here

Congrat to them.

Can't celebrities have they private life.

where is my beloveth tontolet,, I smell rigging in the highest order

Plot4

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Half of them bleach


Geneviev no know say she don old she go dey dress like person of 20 yrs


Mercy johnson omor ibira

they are trying . hard fuuccckk work pays

ROZZAYY:

Lol ayam waiting for it to get to fp b4 I comment my reserve.

na there u go old. so all lalastic posts av got front page future

Lalasticlala.. u too dey cause holdup for front page...

Hmm. Predictable list.

That dress Genny is wearing is UGLY!!!

nice list

Nothing is new with this list.. ..




It's still thesame old faces

,,

Bankable or Bangable?

op there's nothing special and interesting about this list....intact sef why did I comment
#charitycomment

Good for them...#charitycomment

Bankable but still bangable

Really..... women empowerment and they have actually made it big. They work hard and have achieved success. Good for them.

OP, u like celebs gan o, plus u need a blog of ur own
U forgot to add dat Genny was signed by Amstel Malta recently

When i return from schooling in france, i'm going to nollywood to make it big time.


By the way, the word is Rake in Millions not ranked in millions, that is how they speak it here in France.

Okay naa.

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Mtcheeeeeew not even billion, next

Anoda mumu go cum here and type -vanity upon vanity

macpetrus:
Bankable or Bangable?

chai na wetin i wan talk o