By Efe Onodjae

In a night filled with elegance at the Ebonylife Cinema in Victoria Island, Lagos State, YNaija’s ‘The Nollywood 100’ unfolded, showcasing the outstanding presence of Nollywood stars. The event was a celebration of excellence, drawing prominent actors and actresses into the spotlight.

Organized by Ynaija, ‘The Nollywood 100,’ on Thursday night, celebrated a total of 100 actors who have made a mark in the industry in the past year. In partnership with EbonyLife, the event celebrated the Nigerian film industry, recognizing the visionaries who have made significant contributions to the cinematic landscape within the past year.

“The Nollywood 100″ served as a tribute to the industry stakeholders of Nigerian cinema, spotlighting the trailblazers whose creativity and dedication have left an indelible mark on the industry. Notable among the awardees are Funke Akindele, Chidi Mokeme, renowned filmmaker Adeoluwa Owu, Ireti Doyle, Shaffy Bello, RMD, Timini, Tobi Bakre, Tunde Apalowo, Kelechi Udegbe, Onyinye Odokoro, Nse Ikpe-Etim, Lateef Adedimeji, Rahama Sadau, Barnabas ’Barny’ Emordi, Funlola Aofiyebi, Kehinde Bankole, Lala Akindoju, and many more.

Reflecting on the event, Biola Olaore, YNaija CEO, says, “The Nollywood 100 is a heartfelt acknowledgment of the passion and resilience that drive Nollywood. We intend to keep the light burning with this initiative to honor everyone who feels unseen yet puts in the work for the growth and evolution of Nollywood.”

“At its core, The Nollywood 100 seeks to amplify the voices and talents of emerging stars and new entrants, ensuring that the next generation of filmmakers receives the recognition they deserve. With Nigeria’s cinematic landscape constantly evolving, the event provided a poignant reminder of the importance of storytelling in shaping cultural narratives and fostering artistic innovation.”

Speaking with journalists, one of the listed top 100 Nollywood stars, Funke Akindele, shared that being selected by YNaija as one of the top 100 stars in Nollywood was unexpected. She stated, “There was a time I wanted to give up, but I remained resilient because hard work can only pay off. I am glad for this honor, and I do not take it for granted.”