Genevieve Nnaji is a renowned Nollywood actress, producer, director and a philanthropist, known for her brilliant roles in movies.
She is said to be selective of her roles in movies rated one of the Nollywood highest paid actresses who earns more in endorsements than movies.
Genevieve was born into a family of 8 children on May 3, 1979 in Mbaise, Imo State in south eastern Nigeria. She is the fourth child in the family and grew up in Lagos state. The talented actress was brought up in a middle class environment, her father being an engineer and her mother a teacher.
Educational Background
Genevieve Nnaji had her elementary education in Lagos State. She later attended Methodist Girls College Yaba, Lagos for her secondary school certificate.
She went further to obtain a Bachelor’s degree in Creative Arts at the University of Lagos. While in the university, she began auditioning for acting jobs in Nollywood and has since remained active and relevant to the Nigerian entertainment industry.
Her Career
Genevieve started her acting career at a very tender age of 8 and she featured as an actress in the then popular television soap Opera Ripples.
Nnaji made entry into Nollywood professionally in 1998 at the age of 19 precisely when the Nigerian movie industry was growing. She acted her foremost movies “Most Wanted”, “Last Party”, “Mark of the Beast” and “Ijele” which shot her to fame and recognition both home and abroad.
She has so far starred in over 100 Nollywood movies.
The highly creative and talented Genevieve is globally known for her intriguing roles in movies and adjudged one of the best and highest paid actresses in Nollywood.
Genevieve has made her numerous and tremendous contributions to the growth and development of the Nigeria entertainment industry. She emerged the first Nigerian actress to be awarded Best Actress at the 2001 City Peoples Awards, the first to be given such awards which before then was only given to politicians and business moguls.
Nnaji was also the first actress to be awarded the Best Actress by the Censors Board of Nigeria in 2003.
In 2009, Genevieve was referred to as the ‘Julia Roberts of Africa’ by Oprah Winfrey.
Genevieve Nnaji is also an accomplished musician. In 2004, she signed a recording contract with EKB Records, a Ghanaian record label, and released her debut album One Logologo Line, a mix of R&B, Hip-Hop and Urban music.
Endorsements
Genevieve no doubt makes much more money in endorsements than in movie business and has featured in several commercials some of which include Pronto beverage, Omo detergent and many others.
Genevieve was a Brand Ambassador for “Face of Lux” in 2004 in Nigeria and the deal was speculated to be a highly lucrative sponsorship deal of about N40 million Naira.
Genevieve was also a representative of Cintrion Energy drink and the deal is believed to have an endorsement fees of about N50 million Naira.
Genevieve entered yet another deal with Amstel, Etisalat, now 9 Mobile and “Face of MUD” Cosmetics in Nigeria and the deals are believed to have gulped endorsement deals of about N30 million Naira respectively.
Genevieve Nnaji is smart, intelligent and exceptionally talented superstar. These salient qualities of her no doubt give the advantage of sustaining deals even before any termination could take place.
In 2008, Genevieve launched the clothing line, “St. Genevieve”. In the spirit of being one’s brother’s keeper, she donated its proceeds to charity and orphanages.
Awards and Nominations
Genevieve has in the course of her profession received several awards and nominations notably as:
• Best Actress of the year award at the 2001 City People Entertainment Awards.
• The Best Actress in a Leading Role at the 2005 edition of Africa Movie Academy Awards among other numerous prestigious awards.
In 2011, she was honoured as a Member of the Order of the Federal Republic (OFR) by the Nigerian government for her contribution to the growth and development of the Nigeria movie industry.
Her Personal Life
Genevieve is married to Prince Osi Chigozie Ihediwa. The couple met in 2009 and dated till 2016 before finally getting married. The union is blessed with a daughter. She gave birth at 41 years old.
Her Net Worth
Genevieve Nnaji is indeed a veteran, highly respected and celebrated Nigerian entertainer, rated one of the richest and most influential with a net worth of about $5 million dollars.