Meet the ‘Gen Zs’ of Nollywood

If there is one thing Nollywood has always thrived on, it is fresh faces and bold talents. In the last year, the industry has witnessed a new generation of actors showcasing range and energy, winning both local and international audiences. From Netflix series to cinema blockbusters, these rising stars are not only entertaining millions but […]

If there is one thing Nollywood has always thrived on, it is fresh faces and bold talents. In the last year, the industry has witnessed a new generation of actors showcasing range and energy, winning both local and international audiences. From Netflix series to cinema blockbusters, these rising stars are not only entertaining millions but also reshaping how Nigerian stories are told.

 

Chimezie Imo

Chimezie Imo is one of Nollywood’s most talked-about young actors. Born in Lagos on January 7 with family roots in Imo State, Imo started in church theatre before making his appearance in the industry.

His breakthrough came with Kasala (2018), followed by a gripping performance in Nimbe (2019). Since then, Imo has shared his craft between indie and mainstream projects, from Choke to popular comedies like Everybody Loves Jenifa and Alakada: Bad and Boujee. His role in Breath of Life won him the AMVCA Trailblazer Award in 2024, spotlighting him as a talent to watch.

Online critics describe Imo as an actor who brings rawness and vulnerability to screen. In a Punch interview, the actor, while speaking on the characters he had portrayed over time, said, “I love challenges, so if a character is not challenging, I will likely not take it on. However, one challenging part of the film was the pressure I felt leading a project that big because I did not want to ruin anything.”

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Mike Afolarin

Born September 1, 1993, Mike Afolarin read Economics in the University of Lagos before venturing into theatre. His starred in his first stage play, “Magic Time” in 2013, but it was Kasala (2018) that brought him to the light. Since then, Afolarin has starred in a string of big titles, such as Soólè, Adire, Battle on Buka Street; and most notably, Far From Home, Netflix’s hit series. He also featured in House of Ga’a (2024).

Known for his mix of charisma and grounded performances, Afolarin is seen as one of Nollywood’s dependable young leads. Many young teens admired his role as Ishaya Bello in Far From Home as he portrayed the desperation of the average young Nigerian trying to get out of the trenches.

 

 Genoveva Umeh

Genoveva Umeh’s story is one of unexpected turns. Born in Enugu in 1995, she read Law at the University of Surrey in the United Kingdom (UK) before deciding to drop her legal attire and move into acting.

Following her return to Nigeria in 2018, she quickly began landing roles in projects like One Lagos Night and Crime and Justice Lagos. However, her big break came with Netflix’s titles, Blood Sisters and Far From Home. Her role in Blood Sisters was heavily admired by audience as she properly acted out the role of a neglected child in the family. In 2024, she won the AMVCA Best Supporting Actress award for her role in Breath of Life, alongside her co-actor, Chimezie Imo. In an interview with The Sun, Genoveva noted that although acting was a tough profession, if one was passionate about it, one was bound to go far.

 

Gbubemi Ejeye

Gbubemi Ejeye was born June 29, 1994 in Lagos, with roots traced to Delta State. She read Law before switching to arts, making her film debut in Rickety (2019). Gbubemi gained wider recognition through Netflix’s Far From Home and has since appeared in other major films, such as Citation, Farmer’s Bride and All’s Fair in Love.

 

Uzoamaka Onuoha

Uzoamaka Onuoha, who hails from Imo State, trained at the University of Nigeria, Nsukka. She first came to notice in Showmax’s Diiche, Nigeria’s first limited series on the platform. In 2024, she won “Best Female Performance in a Feature” at AFRIFF for Agemo, confirming her place as a breakout star. With credits including Baby Farm, Inside Life, Flawsome, she has shown that she can carry both lead and supporting roles without flinching.

 

Tomiwa Tegbe

Tomiwa Tegbe is one of the new faces who has built a reputation as one of the industry’s most reliable young actors. Born on May 22 in Ibadan, Oyo State, Tegbe read Environmental Management and Toxicology at the Federal University of Agriculture, Abeokuta, but his passion for performance and arts drew him to film.

He began acting professionally in 2011, landing his first role in Valour, directed by Niyi Akinmolayan. Since then, he has featured in a mix of films and television series, including Kasala, Kasanova, Detour, On the Real, and MTV Shuga Naija. However, it was his character as James in the family sitcom, My Siblings and I, that made him a household name.

Tegbe is known for playing characters that connect easily with audiences. Whether as the playful James or the mischievous Wasiu in Shuga, he brings comic relief and natural ease that keep viewers entertained. Beyond acting, Tegbe is also an illustrator, a creative skill he continues to develop. His career has earned him recognition, including the Fast Rising Actor of the Year award at the 2019 Starzz Awards.

 

Tomi Ojo

Tomi Ojo, born January 1, 2000, is part of Nollywood’s younger Gen Z crop. Raised in Lagos, she began acting in 2018 with Bovi’s YouTube comedy, Back to School. Her breakout came as Rahila Bello, sister to Ishaya Bello in Netflix’s Far From Home. Since then, she has appeared in a series like Love like This and films like Ada Omo Daddy. She also featured in Johnny Drille’s Believe Me music video, sparking conversation about her off-screen life.

 

 Shamz Garuba

Shamz Garuba began as a model before moving into acting. The graduate of Civil Engineering from the University of Ilorin entered modelling in 2016 and later started training to be an actor. He first debuted in Showmax’s Crime and Justice Lagos and has since appeared in Dear Diane and A Night in 2005. Outside acting, he runs a fashion brand and works as a creative director. Garuba recently joined the cast of Children of Blood and Bone, showing his expanding reach beyond Nollywood.

 

Chuks Joseph

Chuks Joseph was born in Kaduna on January 25, but his roots can be traced to Abia State. He first pursued microbiology before turning to entertainment. He came second in Mr Ideal Nigeria 2020 and won a scholarship to film school. He also trained at Royal Arts Academy and EbonyLife Creative Academy before landing roles in Riona, Baby Drama and Papa Benji. His standout came in Dark October (2023), followed by Netflix’s The Origin: Madam Koi Koi. Known for playing morally complex roles, Joseph has already picked up awards, including Next Rated Actor at the 2023 Eko awards.

 

Onyinye Odokoro

Onyinye Odokoro’s story is one of courage and never giving up on dreams. Onyinye trained as a nurse at the University of Calabar but left that path to follow her passion for acting. Posting monologues online, she began catching attention and soon moved into film. Her big moment came with Princess on a Hill, a Showmax series where she played Zara Osara. It was a demanding role, with nearly every scene requiring her presence. She later starred in Baby Farm, a Netflix drama that exposed the horrors of baby trafficking. Film critics praised her ability to embody her character as Adanna in Netflix’s Baby Farm, showing her strength and vulnerability all at once.

 

Emeka Nwagbaraocha

Emeka Nwagbaraocha is one of Nollywood’s new names winning recognition for the depth he is able to add to his characters. Nwagbaraocha, who comes from Imo State, discovered his passion while acting in secondary school drama clubs. In university, he was inspired by short films and began pursuing acting professionally.

His first major break came with African Beauty, followed by Life 101 on EbonyLife TV. Since then, he has taken major roles in blockbusters such as Kasala, MTV Shuga, and Rattlesnake: The Ahanna Story. However, it was Netflix’s Far From Home that introduced him to a wider audience. Playing Frank, Nwagbaraocha portrayed the struggles of a young man trying to find his place in a fast-moving world. The performance was praised for its authenticity and restraint, marking him out as one of the show’s standout talents. Unlike some of his peers, Nwagbaraocha leans into quieter roles that require careful study. He focuses on little expressions and body language, giving his characters a solid presence. This has made him a favourite for stories that demand