Romance might be a staple of Nollywood storylines, but sometimes the love continues long after the cameras stop rolling. From sparks that flew on set to relationships nurtured through mutual friends and shared creative spaces, several Nollywood stars have found real-life partners within the industry.
These unions show that Nollywood isn’t just about blockbuster scripts and iconic performances—it’s also about the genuine connections formed behind the scenes.
Here are the 10 greatest Nollywood actors who are actual real-life couples.
10. Razak Olayiwola and Moji Afolayan
Razak Olayiwola, widely known by his stage name Ojopagogo, and Moji Afolayan are one of the most respected veteran couples in Yoruba Nollywood. Their love story began on a movie set in Ibadan, where they first met while working on a film project. After courting for two years, they tied the knot in 2003, beginning a marriage that has endured alongside their flourishing careers.
Both accomplished in their own right, Razak is admired for his comic timing and versatility, while Moji—daughter of the legendary Ade Love and sister to Kunle Afolayan—carries on her family’s rich filmmaking legacy. Together, they’ve appeared in several Yoruba films, including Tojubole, where their real-life connection translates effortlessly on screen.
Nearly two decades later, they remain a beloved Nollywood couple, celebrated for balancing family, tradition, and artistry in the industry.
9. Mide Martins and Afeez Abiodun
Mide Martins and Afeez Abiodun, popularly known as Afeez Owo, are one of the most enduring couples in the Yoruba movie industry. Their love story is deeply rooted in Nollywood history—Afeez was once the manager of Mide’s mother, the late veteran actress Funmi Martins. Having grown up together, their friendship gradually blossomed into a romance that led to marriage.
The couple has been married for over two decades, building both a family and successful careers side by side. On screen, they have appeared together in films such as Oju Inu and Eye Aparo, where their real-life bond adds an extra layer of authenticity to their performances.
Today, Mide and Afeez are celebrated not only for their individual contributions to Yoruba cinema but also for their resilience as a couple who have stood the test of time in both love and career.
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8. Stan Nze and Blessing Nze
Stan Nze and Blessing Nze are one of Nollywood’s newer celebrity couples, tying the knot in 2021. Their relationship sparked plenty of conversation, particularly because of their age difference (Stan is 36 and Blessing is 43), but the pair have remained unbothered by social expectations, choosing instead to focus on building a happy marriage and thriving careers.
Since getting married, they’ve delighted fans by appearing together in films such as Irresistible You and Husband Man, where their natural chemistry shines through. Both accomplished in their own right—Stan with critically acclaimed performances in projects like Rattlesnake: The Ahanna Story (2020), and Blessing with her multifaceted work as an actress and producer—the couple continue to prove that love and partnership can flourish in the spotlight.
7. Toyin Abraham and Kola Ajeyemi
Toyin Abraham and Kola Ajeyemi are one of Nollywood’s most popular power couples, especially within the Yoruba film industry.
Toyin is an award-winning actress, director, and producer celebrated for her range in both comedy and drama, with standout performances in Elevator Baby (2019), The Prophetess (2021), and her Alakada franchise. Kolawole, an accomplished actor in his own right, has starred in films such as Iyalode, Alakada: Bad and Boujee (2023), and Ijakumo: The Born Again Stripper (2022). They have also starred in movies together, with Kola playing Cash in Alakada: Bad and Boujee.
The two went public with their relationship in 2019, often sharing glimpses of their family life and creative journeys on social media.
6. Iyke Okechukwu and Florence Okechukwu
Iyke and Florence Okechukwu are yet another Nollywood couple whose love story blossomed on the set of Tinsel. Playing the fan-favourite couple Chuks and Ene, their on-screen romance won the hearts of viewers across Nigeria. What many didn’t know at first was that the chemistry went beyond acting—it was the beginning of a real-life love story.
In 2013, the pair tied the knot, turning their scripted romance into a lifelong commitment. Today, they share a family together while continuing to build their individual careers in Nollywood. Their relationship remains one of the most heartwarming examples of how on-screen love can beautifully spill into real life.
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5. Norbert Young and Gloria Young
Norbert and Gloria Young stand among Nollywood’s most respected veteran couples, with a marriage that has thrived for more than two decades. Norbert has built a reputation as a versatile actor, memorable for his roles in beloved series like Family Circle and Tinsel, as well as powerful performances in films such as King of Boys (2018) and The Black Book (2023).
Gloria, who began her career as a journalist, made her breakthrough in the Nollywood classic Glamour Girls (1994). She has since continued to shine in acclaimed films like Half of a Yellow Sun (2013) and The Weekend.
They have both appeared in movies such as Choke. Beyond their filmography, the Youngs are celebrated not only for their individual accomplishments but also for their longevity as a couple—embodying stability, grace, and resilience both on and off the screen.
4. Ibrahim Suleiman and Linda Ejiofor-Suleiman
Ibrahim Suleiman and Linda Ejiofor’s romance is one of Nollywood’s sweetest “from set to real life” love stories. The two first met as co-stars on the long-running M-Net series Tinsel, where they played love interests. What began as a professional collaboration soon grew into a close friendship, and eventually, a real relationship that fans couldn’t help but root for.
Their bond culminated in a beautiful wedding in 2018, celebrated widely across the Nollywood community. Since then, they’ve continued to shine both individually and together, with Ibrahim building his career as an actor and creative, and Linda balancing motherhood with her acclaimed screen performances.
Their journey from Tinsel co-stars to real-life partners remains a fan-favourite Nollywood love story.
3. Lateef Adedimeji and Adebimpe Adedimeji
Lateef Adedimeji and Adebimpe Adedimeji are one of the most beloved couples in the Yoruba movie industry. Known for their effortless on-screen chemistry, the pair starred together in films like Deja Vu and That One Time, where their performances sparked rumours of a romance long before they confirmed it.
For a while, they kept fans guessing, denying dating speculations despite appearing in multiple productions side by side. But in December 2021, they surprised the industry with a stunning wedding that quickly became a trending celebration across Nigeria.
Today, Lateef and Mo Bimpe continue to dominate Nollywood as individuals and as a couple, balancing thriving acting careers with a marriage that has made them one of the industry’s favourite love stories.
2. Bankole “Banky W” Wellington and Adesua Etomi-Wellington
Few Nollywood love stories have captured the public’s imagination quite like Banky W and Adesua Etomi-Wellington’s. Their romance began to swell among fans after their appearance in The Wedding Party (2016), where they played a couple navigating the chaos of a glamorous Lagos wedding. The chemistry was so natural that fans speculated long before the pair confirmed that life was imitating art.
Off-screen, their relationship quickly blossomed. They announced their engagement in 2017, and their lavish, multi-day wedding—spanning traditional and white ceremonies—was one of the most talked-about celebrity events of the year.
Since then, the “IT” couple has remained a fixture in Nollywood and beyond. Adesua continues to shine as one of the industry’s most versatile actresses, while Banky W balances music, acting, and politics. Together, they’ve also appeared in The Wedding Party 2 (2017), cementing their on-screen and real-life partnership as one of Nollywood’s most iconic.
1. Olu Jacobs and Joke Silva
Olu Jacobs and Joke Silva are by far one of Nollywood’s ultimate power couples. Their love story began in 1981 at the National Theatre in Lagos during Nigeria’s 21st Independence anniversary, and it has grown into one of the industry’s most enduring partnerships. Both actors have carved out remarkable careers spanning stage, television, and film, earning them legendary status at home and abroad.
Beyond their personal relationship, they have also built a creative empire together. They co-founded the Lufodo Group, which houses the Lufodo Academy of Performing Arts, a training ground for young actors and filmmakers.
On-screen, the couple has shared their chemistry in films like The Royal Hibiscus Hotel (2017). Their joint appearances remind fans why they are not only celebrated individually but also cherished as a duo whose artistry and love have shaped Nollywood across generations.
