TOP NOLLYWOOD STARS FROM NSUKKA

1. Rachael Nnenna Okonkwo

Nnenna Rachael Okonkwo (born 26 May 1987), Popularly Known as Nkoli Nwa Nsukka, is a Nigerian film actress. She is best known for the film of the same name. Rachael Okonkwo is from Ukpata in Uzo Uwani Local government area of Enugu State. 

She started acting while she was a child, but she switched her career to dancing due to a lack of movie roles. She joined Nollywood in 2007, playing very minor roles. In 2008, she played a supporting role to Ini Edo& Van Vicker in Royal War 2, also in 2010 alongside Patience Ozokwor and John Okafor in Open and Close. Consequently, her first significant role and breakthrough movie came in 2014, where she played the lead character in Nkoli Nwa Nsukka as Nkoli.

2. Zack Orji:

Gabon-born Nollywood ace actor, director, producer, and filmmaker Zachee Ama Orji popularly known as Zack Orji, was born on October 10, 1960.

The graduate of Estate Management from the University of Nigeria, Nsukka grew up in Cameroon, Benin, and Togo, where he had primary and secondary education. Zack speaks both English and French fluently and is the eldest in a family of seven children comprising five girls and two boys.

He is an indigene of Nsukka, Enugu State, and before his big break into Nollywood, he had started acting from a tender age. As a young boy, Zack participated in several drama club activities while being featured in several stage plays.

Zack began his acting career in 1991 when he was featured in his first movie, “Unforgiven Sin,” but became a choice actor when he was starred in 1994 in the blockbuster film “Glamour Girls.” This movie shot him to fame, gave him recognition, and earned him a fortune in the industry. Since then, Orji has starred in different films and is now a widely known Nollywood legend.

To his credit, he has won several prestigious awards, some of which include, Lifetime Achievement Awards at City People Entertainment Awards, a Most prominent actor in Nigeria at the Best of Nollywood Awards, Best Actor in Nigeria at the African Magic Viewers Choice Awards, Best Actor in a leading role at the African Movie Academy Awards, Best Actor of the year at the African Movie Academy Awards, Most Promising Actor in Nigeria at the City People Entertainment Awards.

3. Keneth Okonkwo

Kenneth Okonkwo is a Nigerian actor, producer, director, TV personality, philanthropist, and politician. He was born on the 6th of November, 1968 to Beatrice Okonkwo and Ozioko Francis Okonkwo in Nsukka, Enugu State, Nigeria. Kenneth Okonkwo had his primary and secondary school education in Lagos State, southwestern Nigeria. 

After his secondary education, he went on to the University of Nigeria, Nsukka, Enugu State, where he bagged a Bachelor’s degree in Business Administration. Kenneth Okonkwo, the star-studded actor, obtained a Master’s degree in International Law and Diplomacy from the prestigious University of Lagos popularly called Unilag. As surprising as it may sound, the movie star is also a trained minister of God. He attended the Nigerian Bible School, where he studied Theology.

Kenneth Okonkwo began his acting career in 1991 when he joined Nollywood. He started attending auditions and made his debut in soap operas. He big break came in 1992 after starring in blockbuster movie ‘Living in Bondage’. This movie was big enough to put Nollywood on the map in the film industry. For his role as Andy in this film, Kenneth Okonkwo won the award for Best Actor at the Africa Movie Academy Awards (AMAA), a platform that has celebrated talents like Kenneth for many years. Over the years Kenneth Okonkwo has starred in over two hundred and fifty Nollywood films. 

Through his talent and dedication, Kenneth Okonkwo has contributed greatly to the Nigerian film industry, earning him recognition and awards. There is no character can’t play. He plays it all, from a pauper to a wealthy man, monarch to a servant, protagonist to antagonist. Kenneth Okonkwo is known to become one with his character. The actor, soon to be 50 is every young and evergreen. Kenneth has thrilled screens along with other veterans such as Patience Ozokwor, Mercy Johnson, Olu Jacobs, Pete Edochie, Tonto Dikeh, Stephanie Linus, Ramsey Noah, Norbert Young, Monalisa Chinda, Van Vicker, Ashley Nwosu, Enebeli Elebuwa, Nkem Owoh, Chioma Okpotha, Omoni Oboli, Omotola Jalade Ekeinde, Uche Jumbo and more.

4. Ugwu Lotachukwu Jacinta Obianuju Amelia(Kiki of Jennifer Diary)

Ugwu Lotachukwu Jacinta Obianuju Amelia is a Nigerian actress popularly known as Lota Chukwu. She gained popularity after starring in the popular Nigerian TV series, Jenifa's Diary, alongside Funke Akindele, Juliana Olayode, Falz, where she plays the role of "Kiki," a friend of the lead character, Jenifa. She is also a yoga fitness enthusiast.

Lota was born in Nsukka, Enugu State, Nigeria, but her childhood upbringing mainly was in Benin City. Lota is the last of four children of her parents. She studied Agricultural Economics and Extension Service at the University of Benin and subsequently Acting at the Royal Arts Academy in Lagos, Nigeria.

Before acting, Lota was a model and participated in the 2011 edition of Most Beautiful Girl in Nigeria, representing Yobe State. She started her acting in 2011 but became famous after appearing on Jenifa's Diary and played the role of Kiki. She has also starred in movies like The Royal Hibiscus Hotel, Falling, Fine Girl, The Arbitration, Dognapped.

Lota was featured as the lead character in Reminisce's Ponmile video as we as Aramide's Why So Serious video.

5. Pope Obumeneme Odonwodo

He Hail from Ukehe in Igbo Etiti Local government of Enugu State. He was born in Cameroun where he attended primary and secondary school. 

He later returned to pursue a degree in Accountancy from the University of Nigeria. He made his debut in the movie industry in 2017 in a Tchidi Chikere directed movie “Secret Adventure”. He got married to his Heartrob Jennifer Awelle in 2014.