The list of the top 5 most followed Nollywood Actresses on Instagram will shock you.
In today’s digital era, social media is more than just a space for selfies, skits, or ads. It’s a power supply for influence, relevance, and star power. For Nollywood actresses, Instagram has become a platform and a virtual red carpet, where glamour meets grit and behind-the-scenes scenes blend with real-time fandom.
Nollywood Housing Our Pride
From movie premiere to family to motherhood, these women have built massive online empires that have connected both them and their fans, with their Instagram accounts being a home to some.
Whether it’s Funke’s comedic vibes or Regina’s show of luxury and glitz or Genevieve’s timeless elegance, these women are not just ruling empires; they’re redefining and dominating timelines.
Top 5 Most Followed Nollywood Actresses
So, who are the top queens of Nollywood currently dominating the platform and making it a home for their fans?
1. Funke Akindele Bello (@funkejenifaakindele) 16.4M
Known to be Nollywood’s powerhouse and the star of Jenifa’s Diary, Funke Akindele leads the list as the #1 most followed Nollywood actress on Instagram. She has a huge following on the platform due to her acting prowess in the industry and activities.
Funke Akindele is a producer, filmmaker, actress, a mom, and a political advocate. She’s starred in countless movies like ‘Jenifa’, which was her breakout comedy series in which she played the role of a naive village girl who had big dreams of moving to Lagos. She’s also had movie features in movies like; The return of jenifa (2011), Omo Ghetto (2010), Omo Ghetto: the saga (2010), Miami (2011), A trip to Jamaica (2016), Who’s the boss (2020), Battle on Buka Street (2022), A tribe called Judah (2023) and Everybody loves jenifa (2024).
The success of her films ‘Battle on Buka Street’ and ‘ELJ’ was notable that having grossed 1 billion.
Notable mentions include: Taiwo-Taiwo (2008), Apaadi (2009), Agbeto (2006), Your Excellency (2019), A wish (2012) and The fighter (2013).
Her career spans over two decades, in which she’s shown her versatility in comedy, drama, and directorial roles.
2. Regina Daniels Nwoko (@regina.daniels) 15.2M
Born on the 10th of October, 2000. Regina is a rising star in Nollywood. She’s captured the heart and admiration of fans worldwide and has so far made Instagram a home for many of her fans. She’s the second on the list and surprisingly the youngest. She has a whopping 15.2 million followers on Instagram.
She was raised in Asaba, Delta state, and she was one of six children who gained online popularity for her acting prowess. She is the daughter of Nollywood actress and producer Rita Daniels.
Regina Daniels studied mass communications at Igbenidion University since 2018. She’s starred in over 100 Nollywood movies/films, including: stronger than the gods, evil messenger, queen rebecca, merry men 2, love and trust, city girls, etc.
ALSO READ: 10 Unpopular Facts About Nicki Minaj
Aside from being an actress and a notable public figure, Regina Daniels is an Ambassador to skincare, tech, and lifestyle brands. She’s also a philanthropist and a political advocate.
Her marriage to Senator Ned Nwoko spurred controversies and backlash for years due to their age differences at the time. She currently has two kids (Prince Munir and Khalifa Chimka).
3. Mercy Johnson Okojie (@mercyjohnsonokojie) 14.7M
Mercy Johnson Okojie is third on the list of the most followed Nollywood actresses on Instagram with over 14.7M. She was born on the 28th of August, 1984, in Lagos. She hails from Okene in Kogi state. She is the fourth of seven children who gained popularity from acting.
She had her primary and secondary education at the Nigerian Navy School and the Rivers State Secondary School.
She’s starred in over 200 movies, including: Maid (2004), Thy will be done (2015), 10 days in Sun City (2017), Legend of Inikpi (2020), The New normal (2020), Something like gold (2023), etc.
She is currently married with four kids: Purity, Henry, Angel, and Divine Mercy.
4. Ini Edo (@iniedo) 14.2M
Born Iniobong Edo Etim, she has starred in over 200+ movies/films. She’s fourth on the list with over 14.2 million Instagram followers who not only love her films but also her fashion, body, and luxurious lifestyle.
She’s shown how creative she can be and has brought movie characters to life with her acting. She was born on the 23rd of April, 1982, in Akwa Ibom. She got a diploma in theatre arts from the University of Uyo, A bachelor’s in English from the University of Calabar, and A Law degree at the National Open University of Nigeria in 2014.
She’s starred in movies like Thick Madam (2003), Shanty Town (2023), Emotional blackmail, Girls’ Cot, and so much more.
5. Mercy Aigbe (@realmercyaigbe) 11.6M
With over 11 million organic followers on Instagram, Mercy Aigbe is the fifth most followed Nollywood actress on the platform. She was born in Edo State in the year 1978. Mercy Aigbe studied theater arts at State University after she finished bagging an OND from Ibadan Polytechnic.
She began her acting career with Yoruba soaps like Papa Ajasco before her breakout movie “Ara”.
She has also starred in over 200+ films, including: Afefe Ifo (2008), Okanjua (2008), Ipese (2009), Iron Funfun (2009), Little Drops of Happy (2007), and many more.
She is the mother of Priscilla Ojo, who recently got married to her Tanzanian husband, Juma.