Nollywood is a coat of many colours with indigenous language productions in English, Yoruba, Igbo and Hausa, among others. Nothing exemplifies these thriving genres than the decision of pay TV giant, Multichoice, to allot different 24 hour channels to these thriving genres on its platform in 2010 with the launch of Africa Magic Yoruba and Hausa available on Channel 118 and 117 respectively.

​Talents abound in Nollywood, yet very few are able to break the genre barrier to enjoy mass market acceptance across board among Nollywood fans in the English, Hausa, Igbo and Yoruba genres. Ironically, the English genre part of Nollywood is largely being driven Igbo and Yoruba actors in spite of the situation of the National Film Institute in Jos in North Central Nigeria.

Today, Nollywood’s best are largely exemplary Igbo and Yoruba genre practitioners that have become widely accepted by Nigerians for their first class English genre delivery, performance and production that gained acceptance among Nigerians.

​Below is the all time favourite list of top​ actors who are directors and producers in the Yoruba genre earning the sobriquet, Nollywood Best:

1. Saidi Balogun

Popularly referred to as “Walata” by his fans, Saidi Balogun is an individual who epitomises class and longevity in the Yoruba genre of Nollywood. Balogun, who began his professional career in 1978, has featured in over 100 movies, both in the Yoruba and English genre of Nollywood. He has proven himself to be a versatile actor, playing different characters in the numerous movies he has been featured in.

A respected veteran Nollywood, Balogun was one of the early birds who diversified into movie production. Balogun, who directed his first movie titled “City Girl’ at a relatively young age of 22, has produced and directed over 20 movies, some of which were historic makers in their own rights. He handled the production of movies such as “Modupe Temi”, the first two-cast movie in Africa; “Gbogbo Ere”, Africa’s first ever three-cast movie; and “Third Party”, the first ever ankara movie in Africa, all from the stables of his production outfit, The Golden Movie Ambassadors.

Saidi Balogun has remained resilient, staying at the top of value chain in the movie industry. He remains the solid bridge between the past, present and future of Nollywood.

2. Kunle Afolayan

The son of the legendary theatre performer, actor, and director, Adeyemi Josiah Afolayan, better known as Ade-Love, Kunle Afolayan has successfully followed in his father’s footsteps and has established himself not only as a great thespian, but also as a magnificent playwright, and a skilled producer and director. Afolayan, who shot into the spotlight in 2005, has featured in several movies as an actor. A very skilled actor who is very fluent in English and Yoruba languages and has made appearances in both movie genres, he, however, made his mark in Nollywood as a director and producer.

The henchman of Golden Effect Pictures, Afolayan, together with his production outfit, have produced movies that have not only the captivated local audience but also enthralled audiences beyond the shores of Nigeria. Movies of Afolayan such as “The Figurine”, “Phone Swap” “October 1”, have won numerous local and international awards and have also been featured at international film festivals. Apart from receiving wide international acclaim for the quality of his movies, Afolayan, a New York Film Academy alumnus, has also seen his movies rack up huge numbers in the Nigerian box office with his movies being one of the most demanded Nigerian movies in Nigerian cinemas.

3. Funke Akindele

Olufunke Akindele is a seasoned actress whose impact on Nollywood remains unprecedented. Akindele cut her teeth in the industry with the UN-sponsored sitcom; “I Need to Know”, in 1998. After appearing in a couple of English movies, she then ventured into the Yoruba genre of Nollywood, featuring in a host of films. Her breakthrough movie, however, came in 2009 when she acted and produced the movie “Jenifa.” The movie became a huge success, airing strongly across TV in homes and cinemas, both at home and the diaspora. As a result of this outstanding success, Akindele has gone to re-create the movie into a TV series called “Jenifa’s Diary.” Just like the TV series, the series has gone on to become an accepted and well-liked programme.

Akindele has acted, produced, and directed over 100 movies, both in the English and Yoruba genre of Nollywood. To her credit, Akindele, who mostly plays a witty character in movies, has amassed several prestigious awards as a result of her craft.

4. Odunade Adekola

Another hilarious actor, Odunade Adekola is a thespian who is much sought after by producers and directors in the Yoruba genre of Nollywood. Popularly called “James Bond” because of his dramatic moves in movies, Adekola is a consummate professional whose interpretation of roles keeps his colleagues and the viewing audience spellbound. He began his acting career in 1996 under the tutelage of the late Nollywood actor and producer, Isola Durojaiye, and has acted in several movies in Nollywood, especially the Yoruba genre.

Understanding the importance of collaboration and diversification, Adekola is one of the numerous artistes who is working at crossing over from the Yoruba genre to the English genre. He has acted in a number of English movies with substantial success. He has also produced and directed about six movies, some of which are “Farapamo”, “Emi nire kan”, and “Baba Super.” Adekola has been honoured with several awards, recognising him for his dexterity in the make-believe profession.

5. Femi Adebayo

A lawyer by training, Femi Adebayo has gone on to embrace acting as a full-time profession, performing creditably well thus far. The son of veteran actor, Adebayo Salami, Femi, just like Kunle Afolayan, has been able to step out of his father’s shadow and carve a niche for himself.

A holder of a Master’s degree in Theatre Arts, Adebayo, who began his acting career in 1995, has featured in several movies, most especially in the Yoruba genre of Nollywood. As with modern day theatre practitioners, Adebayo has also learnt the art of production and has produced and directed several movies of his own. He has a long list of movies to his credits which includes the much anticipated Sonto Alapata, Wura Ati Fadaka, Ma Wobadan and Buga, amongst others. He has also racked up several prominent awards for his excellent acting skills. Adebayo is also among the present generation of Yoruba movie actors handling their way into the English genre of Nollywood.

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