10 Nollywood Actors, Actresses to Watch in 2025

• Funke Akindele, Femi Adebayo, and Lateef Adedimeji to dominate Nollywood in 2025.
• Deyemi Okanlawon, Kehinde Bankole, and Wumi Toriola poised for bigger roles.
• Timini Egbuson, Bimbo Ademoye, and Uzor Arukwe set to shine brighter in 2025.

In 2024, Nollywood had a stellar year with groundbreaking films, standout performances, and major achievements from its brightest stars.

EKO HOT BLOG reports thatAs the industry continues to grow, several actors and actresses have become the driving force behind its success and are set to take things to greater heights in 2025. Here are 10 Nollywood movie stars primed for even bigger breakthroughs:

1. Funke Akindele
Funke Akindele dominated the Nollywood box office with her film Everybody Loves Jenifa, which became the fastest Nollywood movie to gross ₦1 billion. Her exceptional performance and success continue to make her one of the industry’s top stars.

2. Femi Adebayo
With Seven Doors on Netflix, Femi Adebayo solidified his role in promoting Nigerian cinema globally. His ability to blend compelling storytelling with impressive cinematography has made him a significant figure to watch.

3. Lateef Adedimeji
Known for his versatility, Lateef Adedimeji had a monumental 2024 with several major roles, including his involvement in the highly searched Lisabi on Netflix. His talent will keep fans excited for 2025.

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4. Deyemi Okanlawon
Deyemi Okanlawon made waves with All is Fair in Love, which earned over ₦130 million at the West African box office. He is also expected to take on more impactful roles and grow his production portfolio in 2025.

5. Kehinde Bankole
Kehinde Bankole earned the Best Lead Actress award at the Africa Magic Viewers’ Choice Awards for her role in Adire. Her exceptional acting and recognition in both film and theater set her up for even more achievements in 2025.

6. Wumi Toriola
Wumi Toriola showed a new side in 2024 with Queen Lateefah, a major box office success, and her YouTube movie Aseju which amassed millions of views. She’s set to continue her rise in Nollywood.

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7. Shaffy Bello
With roles in films like Christmas in Lagos and The Waiter, Shaffy Bello continued to prove her range. Her success also extends to music videos, and her star power in Nollywood is on the rise.

8. Timini Egbuson
Timini Egbuson’s claim to being the biggest actor in Africa is not without merit. In 2024, his involvement in top films like Ajosepo and The Last Straw garnered millions of views, securing his place as one of Nollywood’s leading actors.

9. Bimbo Ademoye
Bimbo Ademoye took YouTube by storm, gaining hundreds of thousands of subscribers with her engaging content. Her rise as both an actress and a content creator makes her one of Nollywood’s future superstars.

10. Uzor Arukwe
Uzor Arukwe’s versatility has made him a standout talent in Nollywood, with performances in Thin Line, Suspicion, and Family Gbese. His ability to excel in diverse roles makes him a major figure to look out for in 2025.

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