Deyemi Okunlawon has once again emerged as Nollywood’s highest-grossing actor, clinching the top spot in 2021 with a cumulative gross of N308 million from three blockbuster films.
The Nigerian film industry has witnessed remarkable growth in recent years, and cinema ticket sales are now a significant indicator of a film’s success. As Nollywood evolves into a multi-million dollar industry, actors like Okunlawon are at the forefront, delivering performances that translate into massive box office earnings.
Top-Grossing Nollywood Actors of 2021
Here’s a breakdown of the highest-grossing Nollywood actors in 2021, based on data from the Nigerian Box Office Year 2021 report:
1. Deyemi Okunlawon – N308 Million
Deyemi starred in three blockbuster hits: Lockdown, The Ghost and the Tout Too, and Prophetess, which collectively raked in N308 million at the Nigerian box office. He retained his title from 2020, making it two consecutive years as the industry’s top-grossing actor.
2. Osita Iheme – N227 Million
Widely known as Pawpaw, Osita Iheme ranked second with N227 million. He featured in Aki and Pawpaw (a reboot of his classic film) and A Christmas in Miami, which grossed N135 million on its own.
3. Ayo Makun (AY) – N135 Million
Stand-up comedian and actor Ayo Makun, also known as AY, comes third after starring in and producing A Christmas in Miami, which earned N135 million.
4. Richard Mofe-Damijo – N135 Million
Veteran actor Richard Mofe-Damijo (RMD) also featured in A Christmas in Miami. His star power contributed to the film’s strong box office performance.
5. Kunle Remi – N134 Million
Rising actor Kunle Remi clinched the fifth spot with N134 million, thanks to his role in the comedy film Prophetess. Known for his breakout role in Falling and his win in Gulder Ultimate Search 2010, Remi is fast becoming a household name.
Other Notable Mentions
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Lateef Adedimeji – N131 Million
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Bovi Ugboma – N100 Million
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Chinedu Ikedieze (Aki) – N92 Million
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Debo Adebayo (Mr. Macaroni) – N91 Million
Criteria for Inclusion
Actors listed met the following criteria:
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Played lead or first/second supporting-lead roles.
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Featured in one or more Nigerian films released in 2021.
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Films grossed over N40 million each at the Nigerian box office as of December 31, 2021.
Conclusion
With actors like Deyemi Okunlawon leading the charge, Nollywood is fast becoming a formidable player in global cinema. As box office numbers soar, the industry continues to reward talent, consistency, and audience appeal.
