Nollywood has been home to many talented actors who began their journeys as child artists and grew into some of the biggest names in Nigerian cinema. These stars quite literally grew up in front of the camera, learning the craft early and evolving with time. From Regina Daniels’ charming childhood roles to Destiny Etiko’s transformation into one of today’s top performers, their journeys prove that talent knows no age.
1. Regina Daniels
Regina Daniels started her acting career at the tender age of 7, making her acting debut in the movie, Marriage in Sorrow. Since then, she’s starred in other popular movies like Miracle Child and Dumebi in School. Her onscreen chemistry with Mercy Johnson in My Soul Mate, remains one of the films that endeared her to fans.
2. Williams Uchemba
If you watched Nollywood in the early 2000s, you definitely remember the young, unassuming Uchemba in his many child roles. Now in his mid-thirties, Williams has successfully pivoted from a child actor to one of Nigeria’s biggest Instagram content creators. His most recent role was in The God’s Gift, a 2024 movie.
3. Somadina Adinma
Like many of his peers, Somadina started acting at eight, notably featuring in movies like Charge and Bail and Forest of Promises. However, it wasn’t until his role in Speak the Word that he became a household name. This movie earned him his first award nomination for Africa Movie Academy Award’s Best Performance by a Child. Years later, Somadina has shed the innocent boy archetype and transitioned to playing the handsome leading man in his most recent offerings.
4. Sharon Ezeamaka
Sharon Ezeamaka’s first movie was Narrow Escape. She was only five when she starred in it, and a look back at her career reveals a prolific run as a teen. Her portfolio ranges from the TV series Dear Mother to a stint in The Johnsons, leading up to her last known role as Princess in Shuga before she quit acting.
5. Destiny Etiko
If you have been on the internet long enough, you have likely seen the viral video of a scene involving Pawpaw eating with other children in an orphanage. In the clip, he suddenly starts throwing up, a trick to make the others leave the food for him. Etiko was actually part of that scene! While many know Destiny for her mature roles today, she first entered the limelight through younger roles in Airline Babes and Idemili.
6. Olumide Oworu
Olumide is a man of many talents: an actor, a model, a rapper, and as of 2023, a politician. However, you most likely know him from his widespread recognition as Tari in The Johnsons. Like his peers, Oworu started acting at the age of six, starring in the drama series Everyday People. Now in his thirties, he is active in both acting and politics. His most recent project is Omotola’s Mother’s Love, coming to cinemas soon.
7. Susan Pwajok
Susan’s trajectory suggests her parents knew from the start that she was made for the big screen. She began acting at the age of three in the stage play Adaobi is Getting Married. From there, she dabbled in modeling before returning to acting. She has since starred in numerous films, including her role as Blessing in The Johnsons and, most recently, as Laraba, in the short film of the same name that sparked conversation on social media.
8. Tobi Makinde
You may know him as Timini from Jenifa’s Diary. But, Tobi Makinde started acting when he was seven in the movie Silenced. When he was 13, he played one of the lead roles in popular TV series, Kamson and Neighbours and went on to feature in My Siblings and I. Now, at 30 Tobi is not merely acting anymore, he is taking on offscreen roles. For instance, in a Tribe Called Judah, he codirected while simultaneously playing Shina.
