Top 10 Yoruba actress making waves at the moment

Taking a minute to appreciate and celebrate some of the top Yoruba actresses that have graced our screens and made all the difference. Bearing in mind that there’s always a first and favourite person in every profession, we will like to know who, in your view, comes first among these actresses.

In no particular order, take a look at some of them and tell us who your favourite Yoruba actress is.

1# Toyin Aimakhu

She was born on September 5, 1984 at Auchi, a town in Edo State in southern Nigeria, but spent her early life in Ibadan, the capital of Oyo Statein southwestern Nigeria. She obtained a Higher National Diploma certificate in marketing from Ibadan polytechnic same class with Dibie, C.B.N aka x7 before she proceeded to Olabisi Onabanjo University, where she received a Bachelor of Arts (B.A.) in philosophy.

she began acting in 2003, when Bukky Wright, a Nigerian film actress, visited Ibadan to shoot a movie.Over the years, she has produced, directed and featured in several Nigerian films, such as Alani Baba Labake and Ebimi ni.She was nominated for Best Supporting Actress in a Yoruba film titled Ebimi ni at the 2013 Best of Nollywood Awards alongside Joke Muyiwa, who was nominated for Best Lead Actress in a Yoruba film titled Ayitale. Based on her acting career, Toyin has also been called upon by politicians to campaign for them. At one of the programs for Nigeria President Goodluck Jonathan’s re-election bid in 2015, the actress said she was prepared to die for the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP)on whose platform Jonathan is contesting. But she later came out to apologize to her fans about the comments and urged Nigerians not to spill their blood for any politician.

2# Eniola badmus

The busty actress was born in Ijebu Ode, Ogun state, of Nigeria, she is one of the well educated Yoruba actresses around as she attended her primary and secondary school education in her hometown.
She attended Maryland Convent School, Air Force Primary School and Adeola Elementary School in Ijebu Ode, Ogun State for her primary education.

For her secondary education, she attended Anglican Girls Grammar School in Ijebu Ode. Eniola is a Graduate of Theatre Arts from the University of Ibadan, Oyo State, Nigeria; she also holds a Second Degree from the Lagos State University (LASU).She joined the industry 13 years ago. That was through a man called Bolagade Akinpelu (aka Ogumajek) and she actually started with the English sector before she started acting the Yoruba movie. She has been in the industry since 1997.

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3# Iyabo ojo

Iyabo was born on December 21, 1977 in Lagos, Nigeria but hails from Itoko, a suburb of Abeokuta, the capital of Ogun State, southwestern Nigeria.She obtained her West Africa School Certificate at National College, Gbagbaga in Lagos before she proceeded to Lagos State Polytechnic where she received a diploma certificate in Estate management.

Her acting career began in 1998 when she joined the Actors Guild of Nigeria (AGN) through the veteran nollywood actress, Bimbo Akintola.Iyabo Ojo later stopped acting in 1999 as a result of her marriage but returned to the Nigerian film industry in 2001.She has scripted and featured in several Nigerian films and in January 2015, her movie, titled Silence which featured Joseph Benjamin Alex Usifo, Fathia Balogun and Doris Simeon was premiered at the Silverbird Cinemas, Ikeja in Lagos.

4# Funke Akindele

Funke Akindele, born August 24, 1977 in Ikorodu, Lagos State, Nigeria is a Nigerian actress. In 2009, she won the Africa Movie Academy Award for Best Actress in a Leading Role.She also obtained the Best Actress award during AMVCA 2016.Funke Akindele also has a TV hit show titled Jenifa.

5# Fathia Balogun

She was born on February 1969 at Ukwara, water side local government area of Delta State, southern Nigeria.She attended Maryland Primary School and Maryland Comprehensive High School in Lagos state, where she obtained the West African School Certificate before she proceeded to Kwara State Polytechnic where she received a diploma certificate.

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She has starred, produced and directed several Nigerian films over the years. In 2008, she won the Africa movie Academy Award for the Most Outstanding Actress Indigenous and her movie Iranse Aje won the best indigenous film of the year. On April 2014, she won the Africa Movie Academy Award, having emerged as best actress of the year along with Odunlade Adekola who emerged as best actor of the year.Faithia Balogun also won the Best Indigenous Language: Yoruba award for the work done in the film Iya Alalake at the 2015 Africa-Magic Viewers’ Choice Awards AMVCA.

6# Mercy aigbe

Nollywood Actress Mercy Aigbe was born in Edo State (Nigeria), and she is the second child in a family of five.She earned a degree in Theatre Arts from the University of Lagos in 2001, and joined the industry fully in 2006.Mercy Aigbe, is married to a Nigerian hotelier and has three children and three stepdaughters.

7# Ronke Odusanya

Ronke Odusanya is a graduate of Olabisi Onabanjo University (OOU), Ago-Iwoye. Her first movie was Baba Ologba (2000). Some of her other movies are Jénífà,Osuwon, Láròdá Òjò, Eekan Soso, and Twisted.Ronke Odusanya is an actress, known for Láròdá òjò (2008), Jénífà (2008) and Jénífà 2(2009).

8# Liz Da Silva

Her parents are from Togo, but she was born in Lagos Island. She grew up in Obalende. She still have links with her Togolese family. Most of them are still on the island. Her grandparents met and married in Lagos Island. Her mum also met her father on the island. She has no intention of going to live in Togo.She believes Nigeria is the place she’s known all her life.

She has appeared only in Yoruba movies. She started acting in 2004. When she was introduced by colleague of hers, Iyabo Ojo; she introduced her to Muka Ray.Till date, Muka Ray has been her mentor in the industry. Two movies actually brought her to the limelight. One of them is Wakati Meta. She’s yet to be given a role in any Nollywood film.
“If I‘m given the opportunity to appear in one, I shall grab it. I have heard some Yoruba actors and actresses say that they avoid English language movies because of ethnic sentiments. But you don’t judge people from a distance.
She released her own movie in 2012, titled MAMA INSURANCE a movie which was quite a buzz in 2012, the movie has an all-female cast. According to her she just wanted to do something different. But then, she’s not the first person to ever shoot a movie that features only actresses.

In the movie, she featured the likes of Ayo Mogaji, Lanre Hassan, Iyabo Ojo, Ronke Ojo, and Doris Simon, among many others. She had to start producing movies in order to churn out stories that would impact positively on people’s lives. “I really work hard on my stories.” she says.

9# Biodun Okeowo

Biodun Okeowo is an actress and producer, known for Okanjua (2008), Boseyemi(2008) and Funmilayo Baby (2009).

10# Mide funmi Martins

Mide Funmi Martins is an actress and producer, known for Omo oku òrun (2004), Erù elérù (2003) and Arewà (2003).