Fans and movie lovers are always on and about who are the richest Yoruba actors and actresses. This is to ensure that they earn their bragging rights when talks come up about their favorites. Some others just want to know how successful some of these top actors/actresses are.
It is a fact beyond doubt that the Yoruba tribe is blessed with numerous actors and actresses who are highly skilled and professional in promoting and preserving the indigenous culture. Hence, making a remarkable contribution to the proliferation of the film industry in Nigeria.
These actors and actresses possess outstanding talents which are demonstrated in the various roles they play in movies. Some have even grown to become directors of film production companies.
Since acting is a very lucrative practice in the world today, the long-cultivated talents of these veteran actors and actresses paid off. The Yoruba sector of the Nigerian film industry has produced several millionaires, but this article will be focusing on the 10 richest Yoruba actors and actresses.
Below are the richest actors and actresses in Yoruba:
| RANK | NAME | NET WORTH |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Funke Akindele | $11 million |
| 2 | Odunlade Adekola | $2.5 million |
| 3 | Mercy Aigbe | $1 million |
| 4 | Femi Adebayo | $1 million |
| 5 | Dayo Amusa | $800,000 |
| 6 | Faithia Balogun | $750,000 |
| 7 | Iyabo Ojo | $600,000 |
| 8 | Wale Akorede Okunnu | $500,000 |
| 9 | Muyiwa Ademola | $400, 000 |
| 10 | Olaniyi Afonja | $350,000 |
1. Funke Akindele ($11 million)
Funke Akindele is the richest Yoruba actress. She is also the second richest actor in the Nigerian movie industry, Nollywood. The veteran actress and film producer rose to fame after her lead role in “Jenifa’s Diary“.
Prior to that She starred in the popular United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA)-sponsored sitcom I Need to Know, which ran from 1998 to 2002. Following her appearance in Jenifa, She has appeared in several other movies including Omo Ghetto: The Saga, the highest-grossing Nigerian movie of all time.
She has won multiple awards and recognition including an African Movie Academy Award for Best Actress in Leading Role in 2009 and the African Magic Viewers Choice Awards in 2016. (Read: Funke Akindele-Bello’s Full Profile, Career, and Net Worth). Funke Akindele has an estimated net worth of $11 million, making her the first on this list of richest Yoruba actors and actresses.
2. Odunlade Adekola ($2.5 million)
Taking second place among the richest Yoruba actors and actresses is Odunalade Adekola, with an estimated net worth of $2.5 Million. He is the richest Yoruba actor (Male). Aside from acting, Odunlade is also known as a singer, filmmaker, producer, and director.
Odunlade began his career in 1996, after joining the Theatre Arts practitioner. He rose to prominence following his lead role in a movie titled “Asiri Gomina Wa” (2003). He has since then starred in, scripted, produced, and directed several Nigerian films over the years.
In April 2014, Adekola won the Africa Movie Academy Award for best actor of the year. The veteran actor is also the CEO of Odunlade Adekola Film Production which has produced several actors and movies.
3. Mercy Aigbe ($1 million)
Mercy Aigbe is a Nigerian actress, fashionista, and businesswoman known for her Yoruba indigenous movies. With an estimated net worth of $1 million, Mercy takes third place among the richest Yoruba actors and actresses.
Mercy Aigbe began her acting career by starring in some soap operas including the popular TV drama series “Papa Ajasco”. She however did not join the Nollywood industry fully until 2006, when she acted in the movie ‘Ara’, a movie produced by Remi Lupo.
Over her career, she has won endorsements and awards, including the City People Entertainment Awards for Yoruba Movie Personality of the year and Links and Glitz World Awards for Fashion Entrepreneur of The Year, both in 2015.
Femi Adebayo, with an estimated net worth of $1 Million, is one of the richest Yoruba actors and actresses in 2023. He is also a film, director, lawyer, producer, and special adviser to the Governor of Kwara State on art, culture, and Tourism.
Femi who is the son of Nollywood veteran actor Adebayo Salami, followed in his father’s footsteps when he began acting in 1985. He featured in his father’s first movie titled “Ogun Ajaye” in the same year. He has since then starred in over 500 Nigerian Films which include the Sonto Alapata, Wura Ati Fadaka, and Buga, among others.
Like Many on this list, Femi Adebayo is also a recipient of numerous Awards. He won four awards as Best Yoruba actor at the 17th African Film Awards in London. He also won an award in the same category for the Best of Nollywood Broadcasting Organization of Nigeria Awards in 2012.
5. Dayo Amusa ($800,000)
Iconic Yoruba actress, Dayo Amusa, with an estimated net worth of $800,000, takes her place among the Top 10 Richest Yoruba Actors And Actresses. The popular Nollywood actress, with numerous movies in her Filmography, is also a television personality, and a well-known businesswoman.
Dayo commenced her acting career in 2002 and had her first production in 2006. Although she acts mostly in Yoruba language films of Nollywood, she has also acted in English language films. Currently, she has an estimated net worth of $800,000, making her the 3rd richest Yoruba actress.
She is also a recipient of numerous awards, most notably the Best of Nollywood Awards in 2013 and the Yoruba Movie Academy Awards in 2014
6. Faithia Balogun ($750,000)
Nigerian actress, filmmaker, producer, and director Faithia Balogun is one of the richest Yoruba actors and actresses. The veteran filmmaker has an estimated net worth of $700,000 putting her in sixth place on the list.
Based on her Wikipedia profile, Faithia became an actress by chance after her uncle asked her to stand in for an actress that failed to show up for a movie production. Thereafter, she continued till she carved out a glamourous career path for herself. She has since then starred, produced, and directed several Nigerian films.
Faithia Balogun is a recipient of numerous awards, She won the Africa Movie Academy Award for Most Outstanding Actress Indigenous in 2008 and in 2014, for best actress of the year. She also won the Best Indigenous Language award for the work done in the film “Iya Alalake” at the 2015 Africa Magic Viewers’ Choice Awards.
7. Iyabo Ojo ($600,000)
With an estimated net worth of $600, Nigerian film actress, director, and producer, Alice Iyabo Ojo, takes seventh place among the richest Yoruba actors and actresses. The beautiful actress has produced over 15 movies on her own and has featured in over 150 films.
Iyabo Ojo started her acting career in 1998 after registering with the Actors Guide of Nigeria through the help of Bimbo Akintola. She landed her first role ever in the 1998 English movie titled “Satanic” and since then scripted and featured in several other Nigerian films
In 2002, she made her Yoruba-language debut with Baba Darijinwon and began producing her own films in 2004. Her first production was Bolutife, after which she made Bofeboko, Ololufe, Esan, and Okunkun Biribiri.
8. Wale Akorede Okunnu ($500,000)
Wale Akorede Okunnu is a Nollywood actor, scriptwriter, and producer that is popularly known for his comic and funny roles in Yoruba movies. He is also among the richest Yoruba actors and actresses, with an estimated net worth of $500,000.
Before he was introduced to the movie industry by Muyiwa Ademola (a fellow actor), Okunnu was a businessman, who travels to Saudi Arabia to get garments that he distributes in Nigeria. He however left his business of 13 years, to venture into acting
Over his career, he as Wale Akorede Okunnu has acted in and produced several movies, racking up a net worth of $500,000. This put him among the top 10 richest Yoruba Actors and Actresses.
9. Olaniyi Afonja ($400,000)
Olaniyi Afonja popularly known as Sanyeri is a Nollywood actor, producer, and comedian The popular comic actor with an estimated net worth of $400,000 is one of the richest Yoruba actors and actresses.
Sanyeri began his acting career in 1992 after joining the theatre group introduced to him by a friend. He later relocated to Lagos to further his career and has since featured in so many Nigerian movies, mostly Yoruba.
Sanyeri is also a recipient of numerous awards and nominations. He was nominated for the best comic actor at the Yoruba Movie Academy Awards and the Best Movie Producer of The Year at the 2015 City People Awards
10. Muyiwa Ademola ($350,000)
Rounding off the list of the top 10 richest Yoruba actors and actresses is Muyiwa Ademola, with an estimated net worth of $350,000. The veteran actor who doubles as producer and director is known for his enormous contribution to the Nigerian film industry.
Muyiwa began his acting career fully in 1991 but did not attain the limelight until 1995 when he produced his first script for a movie titled Asise (Blunder). Since 1995, he has produced, directed, and featured in several Yoruba Nollywood movies.
In 2005, his film ORI (Fate) won the best indigenous film at the 1st Africa Movie Academy Awards. In 2008, he was nominated for the 4th Africa Movie Academy Awards for Most Outstanding Indigenous Actor.
Graphical Representation of the Top 10 Richest Yoruba Actors And Actresses in 2023:
Below is the summary list of the top 10 richest actors and actresses in Yoruba:
- Funke Akindele – $11 millon
- Odunlade Adekola – $2.5 million
- Mercy Aigbe – $1 million
- Femi Adebayo – $1 million
- Dayo Amusa – $800,000
- Faithia Balogun – $750,000
- Iyabo Ojo – $600,000
- Wale Akorede Okunnu – $500,000
- Olaniyi Afonja – $400, 000
- Muyiwa Ademola – $350,000
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