July 22, 2026 by Timileyin Okediran
10 Nigerian actors, actresses who have acted in movies abroad
Nigerian Actress Osas Ighodaro recently secured a lead role in Imported Bahu, a new Nolly-Bollywood micro-drama series.
The project, which was officially unveiled on June 22, 2026, by executive producer Hamisha Daryani Ahuja, will see Ighodaro star alongside Bollywood actor and model Rajniesh Duggall in a story centred on love, family secrets and a cross-cultural romance.
Her appearance in the series continues the long line of Nigerian Actors and Actresses who have performed in international movies.
Many Nigerian celebrities have made their debuts in foreign films, much like a handful of Hollywood stars, like Isaiah Washington, Vivica Fox, and Kim Basinger, have appeared in Nollywood movies.
Here are 10 Nigerian Actors and Actresses who have acted in movies abroad:
Osariemen Martha Elizabeth Ighodaro, better known as Osas Ighodaro, is a Nigerian-American actress, television host and philanthropist. She won the 2010 Miss Black USA Pageant and founded the Joyful Joy Foundation, a fundraising organization for malaria. Ighodaro emerged as the highest-grossing Nollywood actress of 2018 and was awarded Best Actress in a Drama consecutively at the 2022 and 2023 AMVCA for her roles in Rattlesnake: The Ahanna Story and Man of God, respectively.
James Ikechukwu Esomugha, popularly known as Jim Iyke (born 25 September 1976), is a Nigerian actor and one of the stars of the movie Last Flight to Abuja.
Oludotun Baiyewu Jacobs, MFR Listen (born 11 July 1942), known professionally as Olu Jacobs, is a veteran Nigerian actor and film executive. He began his career starring in several British television series and international films. Vanguard described him as one of the “godfathers of Nollywood”, along with Pete Edochie.Trained at The Royal Academy of Dramatic Arts, England, Olu Jacobs worked with various repertoire theatres in Britain and starred in some international movies.
Ifeanyi Emmanuel Igboke also known as Emmanuel Igboke (born 10 October 1998), is a Canadian-based Nigerian film actor and movie producer.
Oluwajimi Odukoya (born 27 April 1987) is a Nigerian actor, and the senior pastor of the Fountain of Life Church, in Ilupeju, Lagos. He played the role of Oba Ade in the 2022 movie The Woman King alongside Viola Davis and John Boyega.Odukoya is the first son and second child of late pastors Bimbo Odukoya and Taiwo Odukoya. He succeeded his father after his father’s demise, as the official senior pastor of the Fountain of Life Church, with his sister Tolu Odukoya-Ijogun confirmed as his associate senior pastor, both from September 2023.
Omotola Jalade Ekeinde born 7 February 1978) is a Nigerian actress, former model, and philanthropist, who after her Nollywood acting debut in 1995, has appeared in over 300 films.Jalade is the first Nigerian celebrity to receive over 1 million likes on Facebook. As of 2016, she has over 3 million followers.In 2013, Jalade was included in Time 100 most influential people.That year, she appeared on VH1’s scripted series, Hit the Floor. She spoke at the 2013 edition of the WISE Summit, held in Doha, Qatar.
Emmanuella is a successful online kid comedian who features in Mark Angel’s Comedy skit. Despite the success the beautiful girl has achieved in the entertainment industry, she ventured into acting and made her debut in an Australian movie titled “Survive or die.” She displayed an excellent performance in the movie.
Stephanie Okereke Linus (born as Stephanie Onyekachi Okereke; 2 October 1982) is a Nigerian actress, film director and model. She has received several awards and nominations for her work as an actress, including the 2003 Reel Award for Best Actress, the 2006 Afro Hollywood Award for Best Actress, and three nominations for Best Actress in a Leading Role at the Africa Movie Academy Awards in 2005, 2009 and 2010. She was also the runner up for the Most Beautiful Girl in Nigeria beauty pageant of 2002.In 2011, she was honoured by the Nigerian government with a national honour of Member of the Order of the Federal Republic, MFR. Stephanie is also a scriptwriter, a Producer and a Director.
Genevieve Nnaji born 3 May 1979) is a Nigerian actress, producer, and director. She won the Africa Movie Academy Award for Best Actress.
Actor Stanley Aguzie featured in a season of Irish-Canadian historical drama television series, Vikings.
He also featured in Into the Badlands as a loyalist to Quinn, a Baron of the Badlands. Aguzie also featured in an English documentary titled Teens Who Kill Showing, which aired on CBS.
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