Nigeria films industry also known as ‘Nollywood’ is rated second largest in the world due to the number of films produced. Also, the Nigerian film industry is the largest employer after agriculture in Nigeria, and it makes up 5% of Nigeria’s GDP.
How rich is this industry? Come with me as we look at the top 10 richest actors in the Nigerian movie industry. It is important to note that many of these actors have made their money from acting, businesses, investment and other areas.
1. Desmond Oluwashola Elliot
This actor cum politician who hails from Lagos state is one of the top Nigerian on-screen character and has been in the movie industry for more than 20 years. Despite being a lawmaker representing Sururlere constituency in the Lagos state house of assembly, he is also an executive director in the entertainment industry. He has won several awards including AMAA award and a host of others. He has featured in more than 200 movies, various TV shows and soap operas.
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Desmond owns a movie production and distribution company named Denziot production. He loves cars and among his collections is a vintage Mercedes-Benz, worth around ₦30 million. Desmond operates a charity organization to aid homeless children. As part of his charity work, he donated free school buses to Surulere for the children.
Desmond Elliot’s current net worth is estimated to be at NGN3.9 billion which ranked him as the richest actor in Nigeria.
2. Richard Mofe-Damijo
Richard Mofe-Damijo also known as RMD was born on July 6, 1961. He was one time Commissioner for Culture and Tourism in Delta State. Prior to becoming an actor playing a role in a TV drama in the late ’80s called Ripples, he was a reporter to Concord Newspapers and Metro Magazine. The legendary actor is a writer and also a producer.
The actor is famous for a luxury lifestyle with expensive watches like a Patek Phillippe Nautilus 5980R-001 priced around ₦25.3 million and a ₦400K Swiss wristwatch.
Richard Mofe-Damijo (RMD)’s current net worth is estimated to be at NGN2.9 billion which ranked him as the 2nd richest actor in Nigeria.
3. James Ikechukwu Asomugha (Jim Iyke)
Popularly known Nollywood actor, Jim Iyke was born on September 25, 1976, and started his acting career in 2001. He is one of the most extravagant Nigerian entertainers in the Nollywood industry. He has been featured in more than 150 movies.
Jim Iyke is also a businessman who has a bottled water company called Burgeon Table Water, a clothing line called Untamed Closet, a movie production company called Untamed Productions, and a record label called Untamed Productions. He also has a Foundation for Children with Special Disabilities.
Jim Iyke’s current net worth is estimated at NGN2.3 billion which ranked him as the 3rd richest actor in Nigeria.
4. Segun Padonou Aina (Segun Arinze)
Segun Arinze, a multi-talented actor is also a singer, scriptwriter, producer, director, and does voice over for commercials. He was born in Anambra state to a Yoruba father and an Igbo mother on the 24th of September 1965.
Segun Arinze gained his popularity from the soap opera “Ripples” in the early 90s and has remained one of the top Nollywood actors. He currently works with the prestigious African International Film Festival.
Segun Arinze’s net worth is estimated at NGN2 billion which ranked him as the 4th richest actor in Nigeria.
5. Mike Ezuruonye
This Abia state born actor who has been featured in several Nollywood movies was born on September 20, 1982, in Lagos State. The actor studied Accounting at Nnamdi Azikiwe University before moving into the movie industry.
He featured in hundreds of movies and has won to himself lots of fans. He has won two awards; Best actor in a Supporting Role in 2008 and in a Leading Role in 2009 at the Africa Movie Academy Awards.
Mike Ezuruonye’s current net worth is estimated at NGN1.8 billion which he made from his career as an Actor and thus ranking him as the 5th richest Nollywood actor.
6. Ramsey Noah
Ramsey Noah was born to an Isrraeli Father and a Yoruba mother on December 19, 1970, in Edo State. Nigeria. His acting job started with the Nigerian TV daytime drama opera Fortunes. He has featured in several movies after this and has won several awards.
He loves cars and one of his collections is Aston Martin DBS Superleggera which is worth ₦110.8 million
Ramsey Noah’s net worth is estimated at NGN1.7 billion ranking him as the 6th richest Nollwood Actor.
7. John Okafor
This entertainer popularly known as Mr. Ibu was born on October 17, 1961 at Nkaun West in Enugu State. He is known for his comic acting and this has endeared him to many of the Nollywood fans. He is a lover of life though lives discreetly.
He has got good collection of cars as well with a Mercedes-Benz GLE SUV worth ₦19.4 million as part of his collections. He is also a fan of luxury necklaces which cost millions of Naira. His often-seen gold cross necklace is worth ₦1.8 million while his Versace necklace is worth ₦1.3 million. He has a major endorsement deal with Globacom.
John Okafor’s net worth is estimated at NGN1.6 billion tipping at $4.1 Million in the United States Currency (USD)
8. Nkem Owoh
Nkem Owoh who goes by the nickname ‘Osuofia’ started acting in the 1980s where he featured in several movies such as Things Fall Apart, New Masquerade and many more. He was popular for his comical role in Osuofia in London, the movie that has several sequels. He also has an album with the famous ‘I go chop your dollar’ song which was later banned by the Nigerian authorities. He was born on February 7th, 1958.
The 62 year old actor is still one of the on-screen celebrities that Nollywood fans love to look out for especially in comic movies. He drives a Mitsubishi Montero SUV worth over 10 million naira, and a Mercedes Benz 4matic worth over 15 million naira. Osufia.
Nkem Owoh’s net worth is estimated at NGN1.5 billion.
9. Pete Edochie
Pete Edochie was born on March 7, 1947, is considered to be one of Africa’s most talented actors who got honored with an Industry Merit Award by Africa Magic and Lifetime Achievement by Africa Film Academy. Before his acting career, he was an administrator and a broadcaster.
He came into limelight in the 1980s when he played the lead role of Okonkwo in an NTA adaptation of Chinua Achebe’s bestselling novel, Things Fall Apart. In 2003, he was honored as a Member of the Order of the Niger by President Olusegun Obasanjo.
He is the father of Yul Edochie who is also a movie actor in the Nigerian film industry.
Pete Edochie’s current net worth is estimated at NGN1.4 billion.
10. Chinedu Ikedieze
Chinedu Ikedieze, popularly known as ‘Aki’ is best recognized for playing a role with Osita Iheme. Chinedu won the Lifetime Achievement Award alongside his acting mate Osita Iheme. He has a Hummer stretch limousine, worth ₦75.2 million as one of his car collections
Chinedu Ikedieze has an estimated net worth of NGN1.3 million which is a little higher than Osita Iheme’s net worth.
Summary
In summary, the table below indicates the top 10 richest actors in Nigeria and their net worth.
| 1 | Desmond Elliot | 3.9 billion |
| 2 | Richard Mofe-Damijo | 2.9 billion |
| 3 | Jim Iyke | 2.3 billion |
| 4 | Segun Arinze | 2.0 billion |
| 5 | Mike Ezuruonye | 1.8 billion |
| 6 | Ramsey Nouah | 1.7 billion |
| 7 | John Okafor | 1.6 billion |
| 8 | Nkem Owoh | 1.5 billion |
| 9 | Pete Edochie | 1.4 billion |
| 10 | ChineduIkedieze | 1.3 billion |
Also read: Top 10 Richest Bloggers in Nigeria
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