10 Talented Actresses Over 50 Who Are Still Ruling Nollywood

Here’s my list of over 50 talented and timeless actresses who have managed to remain consistent throughout the years in Nollywood.

Joke Silva

Joke Silva, MFR, was born on September 29, 1961. The ageless actress, director, and businesswoman, started her career over 30 years ago and has since featured in numerous award winning flicks. The multiple-award winning actress who’s married to veteran actor, Olu Jacobs, is regarded as one of the best role interpreters to have come out of Nigeria. Although Joke is 58 years, she is still in hot demand.

Iretiola Doyle

Ireti is no doubt one of the most sought after actresses in Nollywood at the moment. Armed with a career that has spanned two decades in the Nigerian entertainment industry, Ireti credits cut across stage, television and film and print. An accomplished writer, actor, producer and presenter; Iretiola Doyle was born on the 3rd of May in Lagos Nigeria and in the course of her life has lived in New York, Boston, Jos and Lagos. The 52-year-old thespian played major roles in most of the big budget productions that were released in the last three years. She most recently starred in AY Makun’s ‘Merry Men’ and EbonyLife’s ‘Wedding Party.’

Fausat Balogun

Fausat Balogun popularly called Madam Saje, is one of the most consistent veterans in the Yoruba genre of Nollywood. The 60-year-old talented actress has starred in over 80 movies. Madam Saje is married to Rafiu Balogun, an actor in the Yoruba section of Nollywood. He was her boss before they married. Their eldest son is a director while their youngest daughter is an actress.

Shola Sobowale

Multiple-award winning actress, Shola Sobowale is no doubt one of the biggest role interpreters in Nollywood recently. The veteran actress, who played the lead in the highest grossing Nigerian movie of all time, King Of Boys started acting through numerous roles in movies produced by Awada Kerikeri Group under the leadership of Adebayo Salami. Over the years, she had scripted, co-scripted, directed and produced several Nigerian films.

Clarion Chukwura

Clarion Chukwura, born Clara Nneka Oluwatoyin Folashade Chukwurah is a respected Nigeria actress and humanitarian. She was born on 24 July 1964 as the only daughter in a family of four. She is from Anambra State. She is the mother of music video director Clarence Peters. She became a star when she was 18 years old with her first movie, Ola Balogun’s Money Power that was released in 1982. Clarion has since starred in numerous blockbusters.

Eucharia Anunobi

Eucharia Anunobi, (born 25 May 1965) is a Nigerian actress, producer, and pastor. She is best known for her role in the movie Abuja Connection. Eucharia came into limelight for her role in ‘Glamour Girls’ in 1994 and has gone on to star in over 90 movies including ‘Letters to a Stranger’. She is currently serving as an evangelist at a church in Egbeda, Lagos State.

Ngozi Ezeonu

Ngozi Ezeonu is a Nollywood actress known for her role in movies like ‘Glamour Girls’ and ‘Pretty Serpent.’ Her career in Nollywood spans over 3 decades which makes her a veteran in the industry. She also featured in blockbusters like Shattered Mirror, The Pretty Serpent, Tears of a Prince, Cry of a Virgin, Abuja Top Ladies, Family Secret, The Confessor among others.

Ebele Okaro

Ebele Okaro Onyiuke (born 19 January) is a Nigerian actress and film producer. Okaro was born in London and raised in the Nigerian state of Enugu. She began acting while attending the Santa Maria Primary School and continued while at Nsukka's Queen of the Holy Rosary Secondary School. After beginning studies of Education at the University of Calabar, Okaro found her passion for the dramatic arts. In 2014, Ebele Okaro Onyiuke produced and acted in Musical Whispers, a movie that advocates for loving care for children with autism. It features other prominent Nigerian actors and actresses, most notably Chioma Chukwuka and Kalu Ikeagwu. She has become known as the "Mama of Nollywood" and has earned the respect of both fans and colleagues.

Toyin Afolayan

Toyin Afolayan (born 24 September 1959) popularly known as Lola Idije is a Nigerian film actress and aunt to Nigerian film actor Kunle Afolayan. She shot into limelight after starring as Madam Adisa in a 1995 film titled Deadly Affair. Toyin is one of the most consistent actresses in the Yoruba section of Nollywood.

Patience Ozokwor

Patience Ozokwor aka Mama G (born 14 September 1958) is a Nigerian musician, fashion designer, gospel singer and actress. She won the Best Supporting Actress 2012 & 2013 award at the 10th Africa Movie Academy Awards. Ozokwor was among 100 Nigerians honoured by the government to celebrate the amalgamation of the northern and southern protectorates in 2014. Known for her villain roles in numerous Nigerian films, Muma G is no doubt one of the best actresses to have come out of Nigeria.