10 Nollywood Actresses to Watch Before the End of 2026

Nollywood has a habit of saving its strongest offerings for the final stretch of the year, and the coming months are no exception. The release calendar is stacked with dramas, comedies, romantic comedies, and even political thrillers, all led by some of the industry’s most compelling women. Below is a guide to ten actresses whose upcoming projects are worth planning your cinema visits around before 2026 comes to a close.

Genoveva Umeh in Tele X Zikora

Release date: October 23

Genoveva Umeh has been a standout in several recent Nollywood titles, and her breakout turn in Blood Sisters remains hard to forget. In Tele X Zikora, a young adult drama set on a university campus, she plays Zikora. The story follows two students from different backgrounds whose paths cross at university. Audiences have been clamouring for stories like this since Far From Home, so the arrival of Genoveva’s new character is eagerly anticipated.

Funke Akindele in The Four

Release date: December 16

The queen of the box office returns this December with a brand new story. While she will always be associated with her legendary role as Jenifa, Funke Akindele has consistently explored fresh narratives with her December releases. This time she takes on the role of Labake, whose exact qualities are being kept under wraps. Once December arrives, audiences can expect a new Funke character to become obsessed with.

Toyin Abraham in Bestie

Release date: December 16

The December box office is always a contest between Funke and Toyin, and this year is no different. Toyin Abraham brings her intense energy to a new blockbuster, Bestie. There is no official trailer or story reveal yet, but audiences can always count on her for a dramatic story filled with laughs and jaw-dropping moments. That alone is enough to keep fans waiting with bated breath.

Teniola Aladese in Black Market

Release date: October 1

If you missed being part of the 51,000 people who broke the world record at Tafawa Balewa Square last weekend, there is another way to join in: watch Black Market when it hits cinemas and witness Teniola Aladese deliver a rousing performance. The film follows a group of women smugglers who must come together to save a child. By watching it, you too can claim to be part of a Guinness World Record.

Omowunmi Dada in The Secret Lives of Baba Segi's Wives

Release date: December 4

Omowunmi Dada’s rise in Nollywood has been the stuff of dreams. From roles in Yoruba-language titles to supporting characters, she is always on our screens. After appearing in the world-record-breaking Black Market, she returns in the highly anticipated The Secret Lives of Baba Segi’s Wives. Her role as Bolanle is the heart of the film, and from the trailer alone, it looks like another star-making performance.

Uzoamaka Power in Phoenix Fury

Release date: October 30

After writing and starring in the biggest movie of the year so far, Call of My Life, Uzoamaka Power returns to screens in Phoenix Fury. She plays Ifeatu in the film, which premiered at the African International Film Festival in 2024 and won Best Film and Best Director awards. Uzoamaka’s ability to bring depth to every character is what audiences will be watching for, and judging from the clips seen so far, the film is in good hands.

Sunshine Rosman in East West Love

Release date: October 9

There is nothing quite like a love story, and East West Love promises one with the beautiful Sunshine Rosman at its centre. The film is a cross-country romance in which Tito, played by Sunshine, is heartbroken in Kenya and must begin a journey of healing. The giddiness this movie is likely to bring is already palpable.

Chioma Akpotha in The Four

Release date: December 16

Everyone remembers where they were when Chioma Akpotha delivered that moving speech at the altar during Gangs of Lagos; missing it meant missing a history-making performance. Audiences now have another chance to see her in The Four as Somto. Given her long history as one of Nollywood’s most consistent actors, there is little doubt this role will be just as exciting as the rest.

Onyinye Odokoro in Phoenix Fury

Release date: October 24

Onyinye Odokoro already gave audiences a taste of her talent this year in Before We Sleep from the Zikoko Life Anthology. In Phoenix Fury, she delivers another masterclass as Nnena. The trailer teases a sisterhood with Uzoamaka’s character, and that alone has sold the film.

Bimbo Ademoye in The Secret Lives of Baba Segi's Wives

Release date: December 4

Bimbo Ademoye has consistently entertained audiences on her YouTube channel, and she is now taking those skills to the big screen in The Secret Lives of Baba Segi’s Wives. This adaptation has been a topic of conversation among every Nigerian movie lover, and one thing they are all excited about is seeing Bimbo devour yet another role. We are right there with them.