Sometimes the people who are the real deal, those with real acting talents and the star power to give their fans surrealistic cinematic moments, end up not getting the buzz they are supposed to get.
Now we will be looking at these names, amazing thespians who have been there, done that, and deserve every accolade one could think of.
Hello again and welcome to Box-office Africa, where it is all about Nollywood, motion Pictures, locally, Africa, and the entire globe.
Today we have an interesting topic, join me as we discuss 8 of the most Underrated Nollywood stars.
Feel free to expand the list by suggesting names we might have missed in the comments section.
Number 8 - Ego Nwosu
She has gone ahead to appear in other blockbuster Nollywood movies like Fine Wine with Kalu Ikeagwu, Head over Bills with Bimbo Ademoye, The Rise of Igbinogun, Truth or Dare, and a plethora of other top-notch Nollywood productions.
With an impressive social media following of over a hundred thousand followers, this beautiful actress from the southeastern part of Nigeria is truly doing well.
She has an estimated net worth of $100,000, speaking figuratively.
From one highly underrated to another, the next actress on this list is some kind of a fitness enthusiast
Number 7- Seleye Fubura
Born on 6th August in Port Harcourt Rivers State, Seleye is known primarily in the movie Swapped Fate released in 2023.
But before this, Seleye has starred in the following movies- Boss Down, Duke and Dami, Lipstick and Lies, Babies and Friends, Sweet Melony, and a host of others.
Aside from acting, this dark-skinned beauty plays a part in the production circle behind the scenes as a Production assistant.
From the available but limited information we have, she has an estimated net worth of about $100,000.
Seleye keeps her life quite private, but the next act on this list truly loves having a good time traveling around the world.
Number 6- Sandra Okunzuwa
This Edo State-born act did not stop there, and from her impressive filmography, she has appeared in over a hundred movies chiefly among them are-, Wildflower (2022), The Rejected Stone, Dear Dianne, The Order of Things a movie that became number one on Netflix Nigerian dramas, Honey Money, Stuck In Lust, Rapacity, Along Came Insanity, Enitan.
In 2023, she produced her movie Something Like Gold, which went on to earn over 60 million Naira in box office earnings.
In 2023, she was listed among the 100 most impactful people, and before that, she emerged as the Face of Edo.
A brand ambassador for notable companies like Globacom, she is also an entrepreneur, which led her to establish the brands Swift Girls and Wig Excel, in addition to her acting career
Sandra is one beauty with a large heart, her philanthropic gestures led to the formation of the Sandra Okunzuwa Foundation, established to help the less privileged, where she cooks and feeds those in need.
With a net worth estimated to be in the range of $300,000, Sandra is truly living her dream.
The University of Benin Law graduate is also wary of kissing on set for obvious reasons, regardless she has endeared herself to her fans and even critics.
From one actress who is wary of kissing on set to another who was embarrassingly kissed by a fan, and also a philanthropist like the former.
Number 5- Rachel Okonkwo
Like every other actress on this list, she had her humble beginning, one that saw her playing very minor roles.
In 2014 she got her break when she played the role of Nkoli Nwa Nsukka, a moniker she still goes by.
From then on she has starred in many like - The Miracle Centre, Small Chops, The Ghost and the Tout, Nimbe, Head over Bills alongside Bimbo Ademoye and Ego Nwosu, and over a hundred other productions.
With an estimated net worth of 100,000 dollars, Rachel is no small player, and she truly espouses that.
She also enjoys a large following on Instagram, as at the time of creating this video she has about 4.7 million followers, making her one of the most followed actresses in the industry.
Besides acting, Rachel is passionate about cooking and baking, occasionally she shares her recipes on Instagram.
A day-one philanthropist, and brand ambassador for brands like Dano Milk, the Enugu-born actress assisted by the former created The ‘Easter Carnival with Nkoli Nwa Nsukka, a program designed towards giving back to the community.
Her versatility helped her transition from acting to dancing, and when things began to look up, she changed back to her number one passion for acting.
Just like Rachel changed from dancing to acting, the next beautiful thespian on our list changed her entire image and brand.
Number 4 Grace-Charis Bassey Effah, formerly Belinda Effah
Born on 14 December 1989 in Cross Rivers State, Nigeria.
She began her acting career on TV and was featured in the series Shallow Waters.
With a strong and innate desire to go bigger, she joined the set of the Reality show NEXT MOVIE STAR, and stayed through the end of the show without being evicted, finishing top five.
Her passion for acting has seen her appear in movies like- Hire a Woman, Kokomma, Apaye, Muddled, Locked, First Wine and so many others. An amazing actress who before acting, had a stint as a presenter working for Lagos-based radio station - Soundcity.
The University of Calabar graduate of Genetics and Bio-Technology, through a chance encounter with God, decided to change her name from Belinda, a moniker she adopted during her secondary school days to Grace Charis Bassey Effah.
With an estimated net worth in the range of $400,000, Grace Charis is one of the highest-earning actresses in the Nollywood industry.
A winner and nominee for various awards like the Best of Nollywood Awards Most Promising Act (female), which she won.
She is also a nominee for other prestigious awards, most notable in the 2016 Africa Magic Viewers' Choice Awards for Best Actress in a Drama for her role in the movie “Stop”
Aside from acting and presenting, the mother of one is the CEO and founder of GCB Empire, a Nigeria-based clothing and fashion brand.
She strives to keep her private life pretty private, just like she has kept the lid on the identity of the father of her baby.
From one single mom to another very beautiful one, the next act on our list has made good the assertion that "black is indeed very beautiful"
Number 3- Yvonne Jegede.
Born August 25, 1983, in Agenebode, Edo State Nigeria.
Making her first appearance on camera in Tuface’s 2005 hit track ‘African Queen”, she also featured in DJinee’s 2004 monster hit “Ego”.
Having made her debut as a music vixen, the Cyprus-trained actress decided to bring her acting talents to the fore by featuring in movies like - Okafor's Law, Single and Married, 10 Days in Sun City, Mikolo, Adire, Gold Statue and was one of the ensemble cast that appeared in Nigeria’s highest grossing Box Office hit- A Tribe Called Judah alongside Funke Akindele, Nse Ekpe Etim, Nosa Rex and a host of others.
In 2015, this ageless beauty showed her movie production skills in 3 Is a Company, where she was cast as the lead.
With an estimated net worth of over $600,000, (could be more), Yvonne is no stranger to winning plaques and you could bet she has so many of those littered on her shelf, we list a few:
- Best Actress of the Year at the Africa Magic Viewers' Choice Awards
- Nollywood Most Promising Actress in Nigeria at the City People Entertainment Awards
- Best Actress in a Supporting Role at the Africa Movie Academy Award
- Most Promising Act to Watch at the Golden Icon Movie Academy Awards
- Nigerian Fitness Icon (NFI) award in 2016
A single mother of one, previously married to Olakunle Fawole, later got divorced and revealed the reasons for the separation in an episode of the popular Honest Bunch Podcast, the aftermath of the interview raised so much dust between her and the host- Nedu WAZOBIA.
Yvonne is never slowing down as she keeps climbing the ladder of success, I mean her rich filmography suggests so.
From one act with an impressive filmography, the next actress on our list has an impressive resume in terms of film, and also likes staying far away from controversy,
Number 2- Queen Nwokoye
Born on August 11, 1982, Queen Nwokoye was one of the most consistent megastars who dominated the industry during those days we mainly watched movies on DVDs.
The movie that truly put her on the map and even got her nominated for an award for "Best Actress" at the 11th Africa Movie Academy Awards was Chettanna, an Igbo language movie produced by Chigozie Atuanya who starred alongside her in the flick.
Queen made her screen debut in the 2004 film titled Nna Men,
This Nnamdi Azikiwe University graduate of Sociology and Anthropology is also a pageant queen, having competed in Miss Royal Crown, Miss Nigeria, and Miss Eastern Campus, where she was crowned queen.
With an impressive Filmography that once again proves the assertion that Queen is truly one of the best, she has appeared in the following Major Nollywood Cinematic productions:
- Chetanna- 2014
- Pretty Liars 1 & 2- 2014
- Strained 2023
With an estimated net worth of over a million dollars, Queen has managed to stay at the top of her game, winning many awards and getting nominated for others in the same vain.
Below are a list of some of her Awards and Nominations.
Awards & Nominations
- 2011 Best of Nollywood Awards
- Best Supporting Actress in an English Movie (Nominated)
- Fresh Scandal-Free Actress (Won)
- 2012 Nollywood Movies Awards
- Best Actress in an Indigenous Movie (non-English speaking language) (Nominated)
- 2013 Best of Nollywood Awards
- Best Lead Actress in an English Movie (Nominated)
- 2014 Nollywood Movies Awards
- Best Indigenous Actress (Nominated)
- 2015 11th Africa Movie Academy Awards
- Best Actress in a Leading Role (Nominated)
- Zulu African Film Academy Awards: Best Actor Indigenous (Female) (Won)
- Best of Nollywood Awards: Best Actress in a Leading Role (Igbo) (Won)
- 2016 City People Entertainment Awards
- Face of Nollywood Award (English) (Won)
- 2017 Best of Nollywood Awards
- Best Supporting Actress – English (Nominated)
- 2023 Africa Magic Viewers' Choice Awards
- Best Actress In A Drama, Movie Or TV Series (Nominated)
Number 1- Nse Ikpe Etim
She is undoubtedly one of the most outstanding Nollywood stars to ever work on the silver screen.
Born on 21 October 1974, in Lagos State but originally from Akwa Ibom State, this University of Calabar Theater Arts graduate has solidified her status in Nollywood.
Her movies are currently dominating on NETFLIX and others, and recently she concluded filming a project where Hollywood and British actor, Idris Elba was the Director.
Nse made her acting debut in the family soap Inheritance after which she took a hiatus and made a grand reappearance in the Nollywood hot movie- Reloaded, an Emem Isong movie starring a galaxy of the most sought-after stars of that era like Ramsey Noah, Rita Dominic, Desmond Elliot, Ini Edo etc.
Her impressive filmography if listed could take up quite a long space, therefore I’ll be listing some of the cinematic movies:
Filmography
- 2003
- Emotional Crack: Associate Producer
- Venom of Justice 2
- 2008
- Reloaded: Omoze (with Ramsey Nouah, Desmond Elliot, Rita Dominic, Ini Edo, Uche Jombo, & Stephanie Okereke)
- Nominated for Best Actress in a Leading Role at the 5th Africa Movie Academy Awards
- Reloaded: Omoze (with Ramsey Nouah, Desmond Elliot, Rita Dominic, Ini Edo, Uche Jombo, & Stephanie Okereke)
- 2010
- Bursting Out: Tena (with Genevieve Nnaji, Susan Peters, & Majid Michel)
- Inale: Ori (with Caroline Chikezie, Hakeem Kae-Kazim, & Ini Edo)
- 2011
- Guilty Pleasures: Liz (with Ramsey Nouah, Majid Michel, Stephanie Okereke, & Desmond Elliot)
- Memories of My Heart (with Ramsey Nouah, Ini Edo, Uche Jombo, & Monalisa Chinda)
- Kiss and Tell: Tena (with Joseph Benjamin, Desmond Elliot, Uche Jombo, & Monalisa Chinda)
- Spellbound: Mary (with Joseph Benjamin, Desmond Elliot, Uche Jombo, & Chioma Chukwuka)
- 2012
- Phone Swap: Mary (with Wale Ojo, Joke Silva, & Lydia Forson)
- Mr. and Mrs.: Susan Abbah (with Joseph Benjamin & Barbara Soky)
- The Meeting: Bolarinwa (with Rita Dominic, Femi Jacobs, Kate Henshaw, Jide Kosoko, & Chinedu Ikedieze)
- Journey to Self: Nse (with Dakore Akande & Chris Attoh)
- Black November: Lawyer (with Mickey Rourke, Vivica Fox, Hakeem Kae-Kazim, & Kim Basinger)
- 2013
- Broken: Mariam Idoko (with Kalu Ikeagwu & Bimbo Manuel)
- Blue Flames: Vanessa (with Omoni Oboli & Kalu Ikeagwu)
- 2014
- Devil in the Detail: Helen Ofori (with Adjetey Anang)
- Hustlers: Blessing (with Chelsea Eze & Clarion Chukwura)
- Tunnel (with Femi Jacobs & Waje)
- In Between (with Pascal Amanfo)
- 2015
- The Visit: Ajiri Shagaya (with Blossom Chukwujekwu & Femi Jacobs)
- The Green Eyed: Roli (with Kalu Ikeagwu & Tamara Eteimo)
- Heaven's Hell: Alice Henshaw (with Bimbo Akintola, OC Ukeje, & Damilola Adegbite)
- Fifty: Kate (with Ireti Doyle, Omoni Oboli, & Dakore Akande)
- 2016
- Stalker: Kaylah (with Jim Iyke & Caroline Danjuma)
- A Trip to Jamaica: Abigail Rise (with Ayo Makun & Funke Akindele)
- 2017
- American Driver: Nse Ikpe-Etim (with Evan King, Jim Iyke, Anita Chris, Nadia Buari, Emma Nyra, Ayo Makun, Laura Heuston, McPc the Comedian, Michael Tula, & Andie Raven)
- 2020
- Quam's Money: Ozzy (with Falz, Toni Tones, Jemima Osunde, Blossom Chukwujekwu, & Nse Ikpe-Etim)
- 2021
- Fine Wine: Ame (with Richard Mofe-Damijo, Belinda Effah, & Zainab Balogun)
- King of Boys: The Return of the King: First Lady Jumoke Randle (with Sola Sobowale, Toni Tones, Reminisce, & Illbliss)
- 2022
- Glamour Girls: Donna (with Sharon Ooja, Toke Makinwa, & Joselyn Dumas)
- 2023
- A Tribe Called Judah: Collette (with Funke Akindele, Timini Egbuson, & Uzor Arukwe)
- Love and Life: Osas (with Rita Dominic, Chidi Mokeme, & Michelle Dede)
- The Bargain: Folake Seymour (with Joseph Benjamin & Greg Agalaba)
- A Sunday Affair: Uche (with Dakore Akande, Moses Akerele, & Oris Erhuero)
- I Hate It Here: Bokime (with Adebowale Adedayo, Toyin Oshinaike, & Adebola-Walter Tiwalola)
In terms of awards and nominations, Nse Ikpe is one helluva titan, below is a list of some of her major awards and nominations:
Awards & Nominations
- 2009
- 5th Africa Movie Academy Awards: Best Actress in a Leading Role - Reloaded (Nominated)
- Best of Nollywood Awards: Revelation of the Year (female) (Nominated)
- 2010
- Nigeria Entertainment Awards: Best Actress Film/Short Story - Reloaded (Won)
- Best of Nollywood Awards: Best Actress in a Leading Role - Guilty Pleasures (Nominated)
- 2011
- Best of Nollywood Awards: Best Actress in a Lead Role - Mr. and Mrs. (Won)
- 2012
- Nigeria Entertainment Awards: Best Lead Actress (Nominated)
- 8th Africa Movie Academy Awards: Best Actress in a Leading Role (Nominated)
- ZAFAA Awards: Best Actress in a Supporting Role - Kiss and Tell (Nominated)
- ELOY Awards: Actress of the Year - Phone Swap (Nominated)
- Nollywood Movies Awards: Best Actress in a Supporting Role - Kiss and Tell (Won)
- Best of Nollywood Awards: Best Lead Actress in an English Movie - Phone Swap (Won)
- Best Actress in a Supporting Role: The Search (Nominated)
- Best Kiss in a Film: Spellbound (Nominated)
- 17th Africa Film Awards (Afro-Hollywood Awards): Best Actress in a Supporting Role (Nominated)
- 2013
- Nollywood Movies Awards: Best Actress in a Leading Role - Mr. and Mrs. (Nominated)
- City People Entertainment Awards: Best Actress of the Year (Nominated)
- Golden Icons Academy Movie Awards: Best Actress - Phone Swap (Nominated)
- Ghana Movie Awards: Best African Collaboration - Purple Rose (Nominated)
- Nigeria Entertainment Awards: Best Supporting Actress in a Film - Kiss & Tell (Nominated)
- 2014
- Africa Magic Viewers Choice Awards: Best Actress in a Drama - Journey to Self (Won)
- Nigeria Entertainment Awards: Best Actress in a Lead Role (Nominated)
- Golden Icons Academy Movie Awards: Best Actress in a Leading Role - Purple Rose (Nominated)
- Viewers' Choice Female (Nominated)
- 2015
- Best of Nollywood Awards: Best Actress in a Leading Role (English) - Stolen Water (Won)
- Best Kiss in a Movie (Nominated)
- Golden Icons Academy Movie Awards: Best Actress - Stalker (Won)
- Best On-screen Duo (Nominated)
- 2016
- Africa Magic Viewers Choice Awards: Best Actress TV Series/Drama - The Visit (Nominated)
- Nigeria Entertainment Awards: Lead Actress in a Film (Nominated)
- 12th Africa Movie Academy Awards: Best Actress in a Leading Role - Fifty (Nominated)
- 2022
- Africa Magic Viewers' Choice Awards: Best Actress in a Comedy - Quam's Money (Nominated)
- 2023
- Africa Magic Viewers' Choice Awards: Best Actress in a Drama, Movie, or TV Series - Shanty Town (Nominated)
- Africa Movie Academy Awards: Best Actress in a Leading Role - 4:4:44 (Won)
- Africa International Film Festival: Globe Award Honoree (Won)
Nse Ikpe is a very private person, she tries to keep her private life close to her chest, even when she was diagnosed with adenomyosis that resulted in undergoing a hysterectomy (removal of the uterus); as she revealed in a recent interview.
Regardless, Nse Ikpe Etim has continued to keep the light shining. and we celebrate this brave queen of the Silver screen.
There you have it people, your list of 8 Most Underrated Nollywood Stars.
Are there any of your faves we missed?
Let us know about that in the comments section, thanks for stopping by!
0 Comments