Over the years, many Nollywood actors and actresses in the country have been invited by their state governments to receive political nominations while some have knowingly delved into politics with the hope to serve the people.

We brings you 15 Nollywood actors who have either run for offices or have been appointed.

1. Femi Adebayo

In February 2016, popular Yoruba Nollywood actor Femi Adebayo was made the Special Adviser to the Governor of Kwara State, Abdulfatah Ahmed on Arts, Culture and Tourism. Although the actor was appointed in 2016, he is currently contesting for the post of a senator in the upcoming elections. The actor who hails from Kwara made his interest known in representing Asa/Ilorin West at the Nigerian National Assembly delegation from his state.

2. Ini Edo

Ini Edo is a professional actress, movie producer, and director. She is one of the actresses that has held a political position.

In 2016, the beautiful actress was appointed as the Special Assistant to the Akwa Ibom State Governor on culture and tourism

Ini Edo’s appointment was renewed in 2020 when Udom Gabriel Emmanuel, current governor of Akwa Ibom State, was re-elected into office.

3. Banky W

Nigerian singer, rapper, actor, entrepreneur and politician Olubankole Wellington aka Banky W On November 11, 2018, Banky W declared his intention to run for the Lagos’ Eti-Osa Federal Constituency seat in Nigeria’s House of Representatives, on the platform of Modern Democratic Party (MDP), formed in 2017. On February 23, 2019, Bankole Wellington lost the Eti-Osa Federal Constituency elections to Babajide Obanikoro of the All Progressive Congress (APC).

4. Zubby Michael

Zubby Michael is a talented Nigerian actor and media personality who has impressed lots of entertainment lovers with his unique talents and creativity.

In 2019, Zubby was appointed by the current Anambra State Governor, Willie Obiano as the Special Adviser on Media to the Governor.

5. Desmond Elliot

Desmond Oluwashola Elliot is a famous Nigerian movie star, who has featured in many Nollywood blockbuster movies, television shows and soap operas. He was elected as a lawmaker of the Lagos State House of Assembly, Surulere Constituency, in 2015.

6. Kate Henshaw

On 19 July 2014, Nollywood actress Kate Henshaw officially unveiled her campaign website as she was aspiring to represent Calabar Municipal/Odukpani Federal constituency under the platform of the Peoples Democratic Party. Kate Henshaw lost the primary election to Rt. Hon Essien Ayi but was appointed as Special Advicer Liaison, Lagos by the Cross River State Governor Ben Ayade in December 2015. Recently, she recounted how she spent N35 million to chase her ambition to become a member of the House of Representatives and her regrets.

7. Bob Manuel

Bob-Manuel Udokwu is a veteran Nollywood actor who contested for the position of house of assembly for the Idemili North Local Government Area for Anambra state in 2015.

He was appointed into the cabinet of Anambra State governor, Chief Willie Obiano, as the Senior Special Assistant on Movie/Entertainment.

8. RMD

Nollywood veteran actor, Richard Mofe-Damijo was appointed as the Special Adviser of Culture and Tourism to the then Governor Emmanuel Uduaghan in 2008, later on became the commissioner for Culture and Tourism of Delta State, Nigeria in 2009. His tenure ended in 2015.

9. Hilda Dokubo

Ace Actress, Hilda Dokubo was one of the first Nigerian celebrities to get into the political game. She was appointed Special Adviser on Youth Affairs to the former Rivers state governor, Peter Odili in the early 2000’s.

10. Mercy Johnson

On March 15th 2017, Nollywood actress Mercy Johnson-Okojie was appointed a Senior Special Assistant (SSA) to Kogi State Governor Yahaya Bello on Entertainment, Arts and Culture.

11. Nkiru Sylvanus

Nkiru Sylvanus was one of the first set of celebrities to venture into politics. In 2011, she was appointed the Special Adviser on Lagos Affairs to the Imo State Government. She was later made Special Adviser on Public Relations to the same state Government.

12. Kanayo O. Kanayo

Kanayo O Kanayo joined the then ruling People’s Democratic Party (PDP) and had his eyes on the seat of House of Representatives, member for Ahiazu/Ezinihite Mbaise Federal Constituency in 2011. However, he lost in the primary election.

13. Funke Adesiyan

Funke Adesiyan is a Nollywood actress who contested for the Ibadan South-East constituency seat in the Oyo State House of Assembly. The actress won the Oyo State House of Assembly primary election on the platform of the PDP in 2014.

At the time, she was the second entertainer to win a primary election after Desmond Elliot who set the pace by winning the APC primary election for the Lagos State House of Assembly. While Desmond won his election, Funke lost to her APC opponent by a large margin

In 2019, Funke Adesiyan was appointed as one of the political aides to the first lady, Aisha Buhari

14. Kenneth Okonkwo

Nollywood actor, Kenneth Okonkwo who was interested in Nsukka/Igbo Eze south Federal Constituency backed out of the PDP primaries in December 2014. In 2019, he declared his intention to run for Governor of Enugu State at the next election.

15. Bukky Wright

Veteran Nollywood actor Kunle Afolayan has got many talking as he shares his ‘young shall grow’ photos online.

The award-winning actor compiled different photos of his childhood and how he started his career and grew to stardom.

Kunle Afolayan shared the photos on his Instagram page with a grateful emoji.

He wrote: MAAMI WE FIGHT ALL THE TIME BUT, I STILL REMEMBER BISKITI ONIYO (TUC) as you call it when you buy for me.

I still remember EWA OTILI AND EPO IKETE THAT YOU BRING FROM OYO FROM MAAMI AGBA BEFORE SHE DIED, I REMEMBER EGUSI WITHOUT MEAT OR FISH, BUT YOU MAKE IT WORTH IT BY MOLDING the SAME EGUSI LIKE MEAT AND STILL SHEAR ONE INTO 3 FOR ME AND MY BROTHERS.

I remember when you use to do OMOODOR YOU WILL SLEEP UNDER THE STAIRCASE AND COVER WITH YOUR IRO ASO. I remember when we used to live in ILE PAKO AYINDE STREETS, where termites have eaten all the plank.

You have to use my father’s film poster to cover all the plank walls like it’s a wallpaper maami  brilliant, I remember how you will give Malam pashi paro your clothe, instead of collecting BASIA BIG BUCKET, you will take money to buy BEANS AT OYINGBO MARKET FOR US TO EAT.

Thank you so much. I wish I have money to build you a house right now but Rara ooo, I never get it, but I REMEMBER YOU TODAY.

Having all the money and fame in the world doesn’t mean much if you don’t have your life and health.

Many of your favorite Nollywood actresses have overcome the odds and survived near tragic accidents. These 6 Nollywood actresses were lucky and made it out with their lives.

1. Stephanie Okereke

Stephanie Okereke was on her way to the Africa Movie Academy Awards in April 2005 when she was involved in a fatal car accident, leaving her face and body burned and one leg broken.

A tanker with faulty brakes swerved and hit her car, causing an instant explosion of plumes of fire.

Being strong in her faith, Okereke believes that it was by the grace of God that she is alive today.

2. Ibinabo Fiberesima

On February 26, 2006, Fiberesima was driving along Lekki-Epe expressway when she lost control of the wheel, swerved into the inbound lane and rammed her car into Suraj Giwa’s car, which resulted in his death.

The deceased was a medical practitioner at the Lagos General Hospital. Rumors had it that she was drunk-driving. In an apology to the family and Nigerians, the actress insisted that she was not drunk on the day of the accident and that she was deeply sorry.

3. Ann Njemanze

Ann Njemanze who became famous for her role in Domitila suffered a car crash in a car that she was a passenger in. She was returning from a location when the accident happen.

The fatal accident occurred in Calabar, Cross River State. She was left incapacitated for almost 2 years and was operated upon five times. She still carries the scar from that accident on her chin.

4. Uche Jumbo

In June 2011, Uche Jumbo had a head-on collision with another car while driving in her FJ Cruiser.The event occurred late in the night along the Lekki-Chevron axis in Lagos.

5. Bukky Wright

On July 16, 2012, Bukky Wright was involved in a car accident in Epe. Her Nissan Pathfinder was badly damaged. She was later rushed to a hospital where she received treatment.

6. Regina Daniels

In 2019, Nollywood Actress Regina Daniels and her brother Sammy, were involved in an accident which occurred on the eve of Christmas in Delta State. They were driving alongside two other friends when the accident occurred. Thanks be to God, there was no casualty recorded.