Ini Edo

Iniobong Edo Ekim (born 23 April 1982) is a Nigerian actress. Ini Edo began her acting career in 2000, and has featured in more than 200 movies since her debut. In 2013, Ini Edo was a judge for the Miss Black Africa UK PageantVictor Enengedi "INI EDO ANNOUNCED AS JUDGE FOR THE MISS BLACK AFRICA UK PAGEANT", NET, 19 August 2013. Retrieved on 8 May 2014. and De9jaSpirit Talent Hunt. In 2014, she was appointed by the United Nations as a United Nations Habitat Youth Envoy."Nollywood meet Bollywood As UN-Habitat Appoints Youth Envoys.", AllAfrica.com, 14 April 2011. Retrieved on 8 May 2014.

Early life and education Ini Edo is an Ibibio from Akwa Ibom state located in the south-south part of Nigeria. Her mother was a school teacher, and her father was a church elder. Ini Edo had a strict upbringing, the second of four children, three girls, and one boy. She attended Cornelia Connely College in Uyo, Nigeria. She graduated from the University of Uyo where she got a Diploma in Theatre Arts. She also completed her Bachelor's degree program at the University of Calabar where she studied English. In 2014, she got a scholarship to study law at the National Open University of Nigeria.

Career Her acting career started in 2000 with her debut in Thick Madam. Ini Edo was discovered by a producer at the audition she attended. Her breakthrough came in 2004 when she acted in World Apart. She has appeared in over 100 films. She earned a "Best Lead Actress" nomination at the 11th Africa Movie Academy Awards for her performance in the movie "While You Slept".

In 2017, she stated that only hard work and dedication can get one to the top in the Nollywood industry, as there are many distractions.

In 2021, she created a luxury fashion and cosmetic brand called Secrets Of April, which offers High Fashion Apparel, beauty products and accessories.

She represents the National Democratic Institute (NDI), an NGO that works to improve the efficacy of democratic institutions, as an ambassador.

In 2023, Ini Edo produced ShantyTown, a 2023 Nigerian crime thriller released to Netflix on 20 January 2023.

Ini Edo is among the Judges at De9jaspirit Talent Hunt, she has so far anchored the first, second and third seasons.

In 2025 Ini Edo was one of the stars in the third season of Africa's first reality tv series on Netflix: "Young, Famous & African". The show has recently topped the chart at #5 in Tv shows as of 4 January 2025.

Personal life In 2008, Ini Edo married Philip Ehiagwina an American-based business man. The marriage ended in September 2014 after six years. In 2016, she stated that her being stuck in traffic, and consequently late for mass, spared her from being involved in the Uyo Church collapse, which killed many inside. Ini Edo had her first child, a girl through surrogacy, in 2021.

Philanthropy She is the founder of GEMS (Girls Empowerment Mentorship Scheme) AFRICA an NGO built to support young women in different fields providing tutoring, skills acquisition, and support. Gems Africa has supported over 10000 African girls across a broad spectrum of industries.

Endorsement Ini Edo was Glo brand ambassador for ten years from 2006 to 2016. In 2010, she was named to be the brand ambassador of Noble Hair. Ini Edo is brand ambassador of Slim Tea Nigeria. In 2019, she was signed as an ambassador for the MrTaxi NG brand.

In 2023, she was signed as an ambassador for the Capital Luxury brand.

Political appointment Ini Edo was appointed as the Special Assistant to the Akwa Ibom State Governor on culture and tourism by Udom Gabriel Emmanuel in 2016.

Awards and nominations YearEventPrizeRecipient ResultRef20092009 Best of Nollywood AwardsBest Actress Leading Role (Yoruba)2011Zulu African Film Academy AwardsBest Actress Indigenous Edika Nigeria20122012 Golden Icons Academy Movie AwardsBest Actress In Leading roleIn a cupboardFemale Viewers Choice HerselfHonorarium Appreciation Award20132013 Golden Icons Academy Movie AwardsFemale Viewers ChoiceCross River Movie AwardBest Act Female(English)Behind The MelodyNafcaBest supporting ActressWeekend Getaway20142014 Golden Icons Academy Movie AwardsBest Actress Leading RoleNkasi The Village FighterBest Comedic actBest Actress-Viewers Choice20152015 Golden Icons Academy Movie AwardsBest ActressWhile you sleptFemale Viewers Choice 2015 Ghana Movie AwardsBest Actress - Africa Collaboration11th Africa Movie Academy AwardsBest Actress Leading Role2016 2016 Africa Magic Viewers Choice AwardsBest Actress in a ComedyDesperate housegirls2016 Nigeria Entertainment AwardsBest Actress - TV Series 2018ZAFAA Global Awards Best Actress While you slept2021Net HonoursMost Popular ActressAfrica Movie Academy AwardsBest Actress in a Supporting RoleThe Citation20232023 Africa Magic Viewers Choice AwardsBest Actress in a Drama Shanty Town

Filmography {| class="wikitable" style="font-size:90%; background: #f9f9f0" |- style="text-align:center;" ! style="background:#B0C4DE;" | Year ! style="background:#B0C4DE;" | Film ! style="background:#B0C4DE;" | Role ! style="background:#B0C4DE;" | Notes |- |2003 |Thick Madam

|Ass on Fire

|Breathe Again |Pat

|Royal Gift'''

|Blind Kingdom'|

|2021 |The Ghost and the Tout Too|Inem |With Ayomide Abayode, Alexander Abolore |- |2022 |Gbege| |With Jide Kosoko, Ebele Okaro, Sam Dede, Mercy Aigbe, Zubby Micheal, Sanni Muaizu, Charles Inojie, Harry B, Broda Shaggi, Nosa Rex, Junior Pope. |- |2022 |The Man for the Job|Esohe |With Akintoba Adeoluwa, Rita Anwarah, Uzor Arukwe, Ali Baba |- |2022 |Moving On|Amanda |With Mitchelle Agugbua, Chris Akwarandu, Onyii Alex, Victoria Bassey |- |2023 |Shanty Town | Inem | With Chidi Mokeme, Nse Ikpe-Etim, Nancy Isime, Mercy Eke, Richard Mofe Damijo, and directed by Dimeji Ajibola. |- |2023 |Rent a Room|Labake |With Jim Iyke, Uche Jombo, Evan King, Pere Egbi |- |2023 |Onyeegwu|Eno |With Toyin Abraham, Lateef Adedimeji, Natacha Akide |}Fatal Seduction (2006)The Greatest Sacrifice (2006)My Heart Your Home (2006)No Where to Run (2006)Stolen TomorrowSacrifice for Love (2006)Silence of the Gods (2006) as NkoliSupremacy (2006)Too Late to Claim (2006) as RoseTotal Control (2006) as LauraTraumatised (2006) as IdaraWar Game (2006)11:45... Too Late (2005)The Bank Manager (2005) as IfeomaThe Bet (2005)Cold War (2005) as UdokaCrying Angel (2005) as NkemDesperate Need Emotional Blackmail (2005)I Want My Money (2005)Last Picnic (2005)Living in Tears (2005)Living Without You (2005)Men Do Cry (2005)My Precious Son (2005) as TinaOne God One Nation (2005) as RosieWeekend getawayPretty Angels (2005)Red Light (2005)Royal Package (2005)Security Risk (2005)Songs of Sorrow (2005)Stronghold (2005)Tears for Nancy (2005) as NancyUnforeseen (2005)Eyes of Love (2004) as HelenFaces of Beauty (2004) as Melisa Snr.Indecent Girl (2004) as PatraIndulgence (2004)I Swear (2004) as CynthiaLegacy (2004)Love Crime (2004)Love & Marriage (2004)Negative Influence (2004)Not Yours! (2004)The One I Trust (2003)Sisters On FireRoyalty ApartNever Let GoEnd of Do or Die AffairDarkness of SorrowsFinal SorrowBehind The MelodyMemories of The HeartRoyal GiftDangerous Save The Last DanceBattle For BrideCaged LoversIn The Cupboard (2012) as TrishaHunted LoveAnointed QueenA Dance For The PrinceBride's WarTears In The PalaceSlip of FateAt All CostThe Princess of My LifeInale (2010) as OmadaI'll Take My Chances (2011) as IdaraNkasi The Village FighterNkasi The Sprot GirlThe Return of Nkasi Soul of a Maiden'' Blood is Money

Ini Edo

Bron en licentie