Ini Dima-Okojie (born 24 June 1990) is a Nigerian actress from Edo State, Nigeria. She resigned from her job in investment banking to enroll at the New York Film Academy. Her debut was Taste of Love, and since then, she has appeared in Namaste Wahala (2021) and Netflix's Blood Sisters (2022-present).
Early life and education Dima-Okojie is from Esan North-East LGA, Edo State, Nigeria. Her father is a medical doctor and her mother is a retired banker and entrepreneur. She attended Air Force primary school in Lagos and moved to Air Force comprehensive secondary school, Ibadan. She studied at Covenant University, Nigeria, where she earned a degree in International Relations. She quit her job in investment banking to pursue a pathway into acting. This led her to earn a degree in acting from the New York Film Academy.
Career
2013 – 2017
Dima-Okojie resigned, from her job in the finance industry to pursue a career in entertainment. Her career in Nollywood started as a production assistant on the film Before 30 and she went on to make her acting debut when she played the role of Feyisayo Pepple, in the television series Taste of Love. In 2016, she played the role of Hadiza Ahmed in the film North East; her character was that of a Muslim lady who began a romantic relationship with a man from a different religious background. For her role in the film, she was nominated for Best Actress in a Supporting Role at the 2017 Nigeria Entertainment Awards. Dima-Okojie was also nominated for Most Promising Actress at City People Movie Awards around the same time. She was nominated for The Future Awards Africa in 2017.
In 2016, she played the role of Hadiza in a web series by Ndani TV, Skinny Girl in Transit. She also featured in 5ive, It's her day, and North East in the same year.
In 2017, she featured in Battleground and The Royal Hibiscus Hotel She was nominated for The Future Awards prize for acting. She appeared on Pulse Nigeria's list of the 7 Nollywood actresses of 2017.
2018 – 2021
In 2018, she starred in two movies, Sylvia where she played the role of Gbemi Ogunlana, in a story based on a fiction of spirit lovers. Later that year, she was cast in Funke where she played the role of Ms. Catherine, starring Jide Kosoko, Eniola Badmus, Segun Arinze and directed by Yemi Morafa. The story which was set in 1996 was centred on a young girl's ultimate dream to become a footballer and her struggle to surmount gender roles inherent in her community. In 2018, her outfit to Heineken Lagos fashion week was featured in British and Germany Vogue.
In 2019, she was featured in a role as Laitan Gesinde on the web TV series Oga Pastor directed by Daniel Oriahi. The series was later pulled down by Ndani TV
In 2020, she starred as Tami in the series, Smart Money Woman, an adaptation from a book of the same title by Arese Ugwu. Also in 2020, Who's the boss, featured Dima-Okojie as Jumoke, a best friend to Liah, played by Sharon Ooja.
In 2021, she featured in the Netflix original Namaste Wahala, a multicultural romantic-comedy feature film where she played the role of Didi.
2022
In 2022, she starred in the Netflix Original series Blood Sisters, playing the lead role of Sarah. The series was produced by Mo Abudu's Ebonylife Studios. The premiere was well attended by Nollywood stars
Personal life Dima-Okojie is the youngest of four children, with two sisters and one brother. Her parents are both devoted Catholics; her father a retired Air Commodore in the Nigerian Air Force and a military-trained doctor. Her mother is a licensed lawyer who worked in the banking sector. Dima-Okojie is also noted to have a strong fashion sense, with Pulse Nigeria and other media outlets describing her as one of the most stylish celebrities in Nigeria. Dima-Okojie has cited Majid Michel and Richard Mofe-Damijo as her favourite Nollywood actors.
In December 2020, she opened up on her Instagram page about her struggle and journey with uterine fibroids since 2017.
In 2021, she announced her engagement to Abasi Ene-Obong, the owner of 54Gene. They married in May 2022 and welcomed a number of Nollywood actors and actresses at the wedding.
Filmography
TV shows YearTitleRoleNotesRef2022Blood SistersSarah DuruA Netflix Original series2020The Smart Money WomanTamiBased on a book of the same name by Arese Ugwu2019Oga! PastorLaitan Gesinde2018Battleground (The final showdown)Teni BadmusAfrica Magic original2017Battleground20165ive2015–2017Skinny Girl in TransitHadizaDirectors Bunmi Ajakaiye, Muhammad Atta Ahmed, Ema Edosio2015Desperate Housewives of AfricaAired on MnetVanity's Last Game2014Taste of LoveFeyisayo PeppleNigeria's first telenovela
Films YearTitleRoleNotesRef2025The Fire and the MothAbike2024Skeleton CoastAdanawith Mawuli Gavour, Damilola AdegbiteKill BoroBomawith Gregory Ojefua, Philip Asaya.2023A Weekend to ForgetLayowith Daniel Etim Effiong, Stan Nze, Uche Nwaefuna, Neo Akpofure, Akin Lewis2022Foreigner's GodAnyawith Pete Edochie, Nancy Isime, Sam Dede2021Day of DestinyYoung Ifeomawith Olumide Oworu, Gbemi Akinlade, Denola GreyLockdownAngelaA Nigerian romantic comedy featuring Omotola Jalade Ekeinde, Sola Sobowale and Tony UmezThe WaitNkechiA Faith-based filmNamaste WahalaDidiNollywood/Bollywood cross-cultural romantic comedy2020Who's The BossJumokeA Nigerian Romantic Comedy Film featuring Sharon Ooja, Funke Akindele, Beverly OsuDODYoung IfeomaThe first family adventure film in Nigeria2019KpaliAmaka KalayorAlongside Nkem Owoh2018Funke!Ms. CathrineSet in 1996 – Alongside Segun Arinze and Jide KosokoSylviaGbemi OgunlanaAlongside Zainab Balogun, Chris Attoh, Bolaji Ogunmola2017The Royal Hibiscus HotelJoyceAlongside Zainab Balogun, Kenneth Okolie, Jide Kosoko2016The Following DayAlongside Samuel Asa'ah, Daniel Lloyd, North EastHadiza AhmedAlongside O.C Ukeje, Carol King, Funky MallamIt's Her DayNicole HernandezAlongside Adunni Ade, Omobola Akinde, Shaffy BelloA Bone to PickAliciaStarred alongside IK Ogbonna2015Death TollThe PrenupStarred alongside Alex Ekubo2014Bad Hair DayShot while in NYFA TV Host YearTitleCast NameNotes2014My Big Nigerian WeddingPresenterAired on Africa Magic in 2015 Production YearTitleRole2015Before 30Production Assistant
Awards and nominations YearAwardCategoryWorkResultRef2020Golden Movies AwardsBest Golden Actress Drama2017Nigeria Entertainment Awards Best Actress in a Supporting RoleCity People Movie AwardsMost Promising ActressELOY AwardsTV Actress of the YearThe Future AwardsPrize for acting2023Africa Magic Viewers' Choice AwardsBest Actress In A Drama, Movie Or TV SeriesFlawsome
Gallery
See also List of Nigerian actresses
References
External links