In 2025, Nollywood’s leading women didn’t just show up, they were everywhere. From the cinemas to your favourite streaming platforms, these actresses breathed life into unforgettable characters and carried some of the year’s most talked-about projects
Whether it was veterans like Mercy Aigbe and Iyabo Ojo commanding the screens or stars like Bimbo Ademoye and Omowunmi Dada embodying role after role, these women contributed to defining Nollywood in 2025.
Here are our picks for the Nollywood actresses who truly dominated our screens this year.
1. SHAFFY BELLO
Standout 2025 Performance: Chief Mrs Balogun in The Party
Shaffy Bello made her film debut in 2011 with the movie Eti Keta, and since then, she has been nonstop in her efforts to become an established actor in the Nigerian film industry. Through popular TV series like Tinsel and high-grossing movies like Chief Daddy, Bello has solidified her presence in the industry, and in 2025, she continues to dominate our screens.
Shaffy Bello, in 2025, has embodied quite a lot of characters. In I am Anis, she portrayed the older Anisola Williams; Chief Mrs Balogun in The Party; Mrs Iyabo in Finding Me; Queen Mother in The Masked King; Professor Aarin Orazulike in Makemation; Iyalaje Anuoluwapo Adunni in Aso Ebi Diaries; Abena Mensah in Sin, and Abolanle in Family Brouhaha. Beyond live-action roles, she lent her voice to Emi in the animated series, Iyanu, and she was also credited in films such as Reel Love, Gingerr, and Mending.
2. BIMBO ADEMOYE
Standout 2025 Performance: Tuntunlade in The Benefactor
A recognised actor, Bimbo Ademoye established her presence in the Nollywood scene through major roles in acclaimed projects like Kayode Kasum’s Sugar Rush and Biodun Stephen’s Breaded Life, and while we have watched some popular actors become insignificant over time, Ademoye has refused to lump herself with them. This is evident in the way she continues to be a constant presence on our screens.
In 2025, Bimbo Ademoye showcased her diversity by starring in several movies like Reel Love, Suky, Her Excellency, Ewo, The Benefactor, and Broken Hallelujah. Apart from Broken Hallelujah, she has expanded her reach by featuring in several other YouTube dramas. This year has highlighted Ademoye’s commitment to exploring a wide range of characters, cementing her position as a multifaceted talent in Nollywood.
3. OMOWUNMI DADA
Standout 2025 Performance: Ruth in Raji and the Beast.
From her stage plays at her university to her 2013 debut film, Oya, Omowunmi Dada has clearly made it known that she would like to make a name for herself in Nollywood, and while she has been doing that over the years, it is plain obvious that 2025 was a great year for her career.
2025 has witnessed Dada play the dead best friend that haunted the narrative in Red Circle, Princess Oyinade in Asiri Ade, Olapeju in Ori: Rebirth, Peju the swindler in Finding Me, Tejiri in Unclaimed, and Ruth in Raji and the Beast. In addition, she was featured in Almost Perfect, Iwo, Abanisete, and Cursed Bonds.
4. NANCY ISIME
Standout 2025 Performance: Uche in Radio Voice
Nancy Isime launched her acting career with the 2011 series, Echoes, and since then, she has consistently taken on roles in several other prominent films and series. It’s December 2025, and Nancy has had a particularly busy year, showcasing her diversity in several projects. She has played Uche in Radio Voice, an April release; Elizabeth Gomez in Aso Ebi Diaries; Romoke in Adunni: Ogindan Binrin; Lara in the May cinema release, Bro Code; Ifeoma in Imported Wives, and Sumi in Mending, a June project. Her active year is set to conclude with a starring role in Ini Edo’s December cinema release, A Very Dirty Christmas.
5. TOYIN ABRAHAM
Standout 2025 Performance: Asabi Onile in Iyalode
When naming actors who have made a mark in Nollywood, Toyin Abraham will be included. More than two decades since her initial acting debut, her passion has not dimmed; in fact, she remains a consistent presence on our screens in 2025.
This year, Toyin has played the fearless Asabi Onile in Iyalode; Adele in Warlord: Olori Ogun, and the strong Temidun in Ori: Rebirth. She also starred in Tare and the YouTube film, The 4th Generation. Toyin Abraham is expected to close the year with her big-screen directorial debut, Oversabi Aunty, a movie set for release on December 19, 2025.
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6. MERCY AIGBE
Standout 2025 Performance: Adesuwa in My Mother is a Witch
Mercy Aigbe has been on our screens since Papa Ajasco days, and due to her being a household name, it’s hardly a surprise that she is still on our screens in 2025.
In 2025, Mercy Aigbe was Adesuwa, a mother perceived as a witch by her daughter in My Mother is a Witch; she played Mama in the horror movie, Idia; and she was Mrs Cole in Etim Effiong’s The Herd. She has also appeared in YouTube dramas such as Luwo Gbagida and Eniketa.
7. IYABO OJO
Standout 2025 Performance: Labake in Labake Olododo
It’s not exactly a surprise that Iyabo Ojo, a Nollywood veteran, is on this list. Right from her acting debut in 1998, she has made it known that she will be staying in the industry for a long time and in 2025, she is still making her way through every corner of the industry.
In 2025, Iyabo played the role of Yewande in Adunni: Ogidan Binrin, Bimbo Briggs in Something About the Briggs, Labake in Labake Olododo, and she was also reported to be in Funke Akindele’s new release, Behind the Scenes.
8. SONIA UCHE
Standout 2025 Performance: Muna in Bridge Between Us
Six years ago, Sonia Uche made her way into the industry through her acting debut, Frank’s Wife in 2019, and since then, she has refused to become irrelevant, and it’s no wonder she is on this list. The current wave of YouTube Nollywood movies this year has finally brought her to the screens of everyone. In 2025 alone, Sonia Uche has starred in Undeserving, Recipe for Trouble, Bridge Between Us, Mara and Martha, Domestic War, My House Help, and so much more. Sonia Uche’s 2025 filmography makes you wonder if she is using the same 24 hours as the rest of us.
9. BAMIKE “BAMBAM” OLAWUNMI
Standout 2025 Performance: Chioma in Love in Every Word
Bamike “BamBam” Olawunmi, a BBN-housemate-turned-actor, became a huge topic in 2025 after the success of Love in Every Word, a movie in which she played a lead role. Bam Bam was fantastic as Chioma in Love in Every Word and Love in Every Word 2. Apart from the aforementioned movies, she has starred in other 2025 releases like Too Good to Be True, A Bride for the Season, Love Aside, and Chess.
10. UCHE MONTANA
Standout 2025 Performance: Toke in Naked Lies
Uche Montana made her debut in the acting industry with the 2015 movie, Poison Ivy and afterwards, she began to act in several films and series. An AMVCA-nominated actress, Uche Montana was on a roll this year. From Netflix to YouTube to the cinemas, she was there.
Uche executed several diverse roles this year. She was Adanna in the rom-com, A Lagos Love Story; King Ansa’s beloved sister in the historical epic, The Masked King; Toke in the thriller, Naked Lies; and Amanda in The Other Woman. It was also confirmed that she played a role in Behind the Scenes.
11. UZOAMAKA POWER
Standout 2025 Performance: Omasilu in My Body, God’s Temple
Uzoamaka Power’s acting journey began in 2018 when she landed the role of Cynthia in the popular series, MTV Shuga. Since then, she has appeared in other acclaimed releases like Mami Wata, With Difficulty Comes Ease, and the Nollywood sapphic film, Ife.
In 2025, Uzoamaka Power continues to strengthen her presence on the screens. She featured in Akinola Davies’ My Father’s Shadow and Muhammed Atta Ahmed’s Seed. As part of the Zikoko Life series, she directed My Body, God’s Temple, and played the role of Omasilu.
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