Izuchukwu OkosiThere are so many actors that could have been on this list but it has been prunned down to just seven.
It must be noted that none of these actors, barring one of them, officially said they had quit acting but they just haven’t been regular in the movies due to family, politics, business and other commitments.
1. Genevieve Nnaji
Genevieve Nnaji was the face of the Nigeria movie industry in the early 2000s.
The multiple awards winner who has acted in hordes of movies took a break from the screen and it has been rumoured that Genny could in fact be calling it quits with acting.
The Imo state – born actress whose craft was noticed whilst she was living at the Egbeda suburb of Lagos was said to be battling mental health issues but contrary to those insinuations, Genevieve only took a break on purpose for personal reasons.
The screen diva in November 2022 made a public appearance at a function in the USA.
Nigerians will be hoping to have their star back either as an actress or behind the scenes calling the shots.
2. Saint Obi
Super-talented actor Obinna Nwafor simply known as Saint Obi has been off our screens for a very long time largely because of marital crisis.
Obi and his estranged wife, Lydia were supposedly in court over a murder attempt allegation against the wife and her brothers.
Obi was briefly directing movies himself but all that seemed to have been put to bed for the time being.
3. Omotola Jalade – Ekeinde
Anyone who watched an awful lot of movies in the late 90s and afterwards will tell you that most movies that the age profile of Omotola is required in a leading role would not appeal to them unless they have the actress featuring in them.
Omotola remains a phenomenon in the movie industry in Nigeria and it hurts that she is seldom Graces our movies these days.
Omotola, like the other thespians named in this article did not state that they have quit acting.
They are either pursuing other dreams for now or are just frustrated by the quality of movies churned out by those who loosely refer to themselves as ‘new Nollywood’ practitioners.
Prime Business Africa’s Izuchukwu Okosi was on the set of Scores to Settle – a 1998 classic – directed by the late Chico Ejiro – Omotola, who was the lead actress in the movie, had recently gave birth to his second child then.
Now, ‘Omosexy’ has more kids and it beggars the question if her growing kids and husband, Mr Matthew Ekeinde ( a pilot with a leading airline in Nigeria) has an influence over her selective appearances in movies these late.
4. Sandra Achums
Sandra Achuzonam, simply known as Sandra Achums, was one of the most in-demand actresses back in the 90s and early 2000s in the movie industry.
A great interpreter of roles, she featured in so many movies but had to relocate to Germany with her husband after her wedding.
This writer worked with the Imo state-born actress on the set of ‘Dead End part 2’ in April 1997 (Directed by late Chico Ejiro; Fred Amata was Creative Director) and witnessed first hand the enormous respect she commanded from the cast and crew.
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5. Onyeka Onwenu
Okay, Onyeka Onwenu is mostly known for her singing prowess and evergreen songs but in movies, she was also proficient.
The ‘Elegant Stallion’ shone in blockbuster movies like ‘Nightmare, Chain Reaction, Ladies Cot, The Chronicles and Half of A Yellow Sun, etc.
Onwenu’s memoir, titled:’ My Father’s Daughter’ Prime Business Africa gathered will be made a television series and will star A-list Nigerian actors.
Onwenu’s last movie was not so long ago but she is needed to be more regular on our screens.
We can’t wait.
6. Tonto Dike
There are a deluge of fans hoping that ‘king’ Tonto Dike returns to the movies.
Tonto delved into politics and was once quoted as saying in the media (not Prime Business Africa) that she has quit acting.
But ‘Poko’ as she is affectionately called by those close to her is a superstar that her grace, charm and skillset are laser-made for the cameras.
7. Kenneth Okonkwo
Currently the Spokesperson of the Labour Party as the 2023 general elections approach, Okonkwo’s main forte now is ensuring that his principal, Peter Obi, wins the Presidential election.
Okonkwo was previously a member of the All Progressive Congress (APC) and even lost out in the primaries for the Enugu state gubernatorial election in 2019.
Okonowo is a trained lawyer but most importantly, a top class actor.
Okonkwo came into prominence when he played the role of ‘Andy Okeke’ in the 1992 Igbo movie, Living In Bondage (produced by NEK Videos’ Kenneth Nnebue), a movie widely considered as the front runner for the thousands of movies produced over the years.
It’s hard to imagine that Okonkwo will be out of the movie locations for a long period of time due to politics.
For now, we wish him and his party the best of luck.
Izuchukwu Okosi is a Nigerian sports and entertainment journalist with two decades of experience in the media industry having begun his media journey in 2002 as an intern at Mundial Sports International (MSI) and Africa Independent Television (AIT), owners of Daar Communications Plc.
In October 2004, Okosi joined Complete Communications Limited, publishers of Complete Sports newspaper and Complete Football magazine as a reporter and later script writer for the Complete Sports studio.
He worked there for 13 years until October 2017.
Okosi also worked various times as Correspondent, Content creator and Editor at Sports Market International Magazine, Opera News, All Nigeria Soccer Media and Iconic Media Watch.
He also undertook freelance writing gigs for some local and international organizations.
Okosi is a member of the Actors Guild of Nigeria (AGN), Association of Movie Producers (AMP), Association of Voiceover Artistes of Nigeria (AVOA), Sports Writers Association of Nigeria (SWAN) and Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ).
He has been part of cast in some Nollywood movies and radio dramas including Blood Money 2, Scores To Settle, Dead End 2, Another Campus Tale and Battle Line.
Aside mainstream media and the entertainment industry, he has interests in scouting/unearthing of talents in the sports and creative sectors, exports business and property development.
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