Iniobong Edo Ekim is a Nigerian actress, producer and entrepreneur. She began her film career in 2000. Today, Ini Edo has appeared in over 100 films, and is one of the richest and highly paid actresses in Nigeria. Indubitably, she is a famous actress in the Nigerian film industry, Nollywood.
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Ini Edo Background
Ini Edo was born on April 23, 1982 in Akwa Ibom, Nigeria. She was born as the second of four children, into a family where there was strict upbringing. Her father was an elder in the Church, and her Mother, a Teacher. Ini Edo attended Cornelius Connely College, Uyo. She then moved to the University of Uyo where she graduated with a Diploma in Theatre Arts. Thereafter, to the University of Calabar for a Bachelor’s Degree in English. Then in 2014, she was awarded a scholarship to study Law at the National Open University of Nigeria.
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Personal Life Of Ini Edo
Ini Edo got married to an American-based Nigerian businessman, Philip Ehiagwina in 2008 but got divorced in 2014.
Ini Edo loves dancing in her spare time, and she loves reading novels and watching films.
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Early Career
Ini Edo’s career in acting kick-started in 2000. Luckily, a producer discovered her in an audition and she launched into the African movies in 2003, with a debut appearance in Thick Madam. In 2004, she rose to stardom after featuring in the film, World Apart.
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World Apart
World Apart is a romantic comedy movie that raised Ini Edo to stardom. It starred Ini Edo as a village girl, named Ulima. It featured Kenneth Okonkwo as Prince Promise, Hilda Dokubo; Rhoda, Liz Benson; Queen Mirabel, and Laz Ekwema as King Idoto, e.t.c. It was directed by Tchidi Ebere.
In the movie, Ulima the village girl is taken to the city to live and help her uncle. Initially, the whole city looked too amazing to her. Along the line, she fell in love with Prince Promise, but the Queen was against her as a daughter-in-law.
However, Prince Promise transformed Ulima and afterwards, took her to the Queen. This time, he introduced her as an ambassador’s daughter. The Queen joyfully accepted her, not-knowing it is the same girl she rejected. Eventually, the Prince revealed Ulima’s true identity and this left the mother no choice than to apologise for her initial refusal of the union.
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Ini Edo Philanthropy
Ini Edo visit orphanages with gifts for the orphaned. For example, she visited an orphanage home, Heart of Gold Children’s Hospice, Surulere, Lagos. She went to the home to spend quality time with the children including the ones with disabilities and special needs. Ini Edo pledged some fund for the children’s upkeep and pleaded for more support for the foundation on her social media page, while commending the foundation’s efforts.
It is because of her philanthropic activities that United Nations appointed her as the UN Habitat Youth envoy in 2011.
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Endorsement Deals & Politics
In 2006, Ini Edo became a brand ambassador to Globacom and the deal lasted for 10 years. Also, she signed a deal with Chivita, a popular Juice manufacturing company to be the face of the brand.
Ini Edo is an ambassador for Slim Tea Nigeria. She also signed a deal with Noble Hair in 2010.
In 2013, She was appointed a Judge for the Miss Black Africa United Kingdom Beauty Pageant.
Since 2016, Ini Edo holds the office of the Special Assistant to the Governor of Akwa Ibom State, Gov. Udom Gabriel Emmanuel on Culture, Entertainment and Tourism.
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Ini Edo Net Worth
According to NiajaQuest.com in January 2019, Ini Edo’s net worth is N450 million, and she is one of the richest and highest paid actress in Nigeria. She is said to own the Mimz Lounge in Lagos, Lekki. She has also ventured into many other types of business like her shoe collection venture and pastry business which she called: Ini Delicious Bread. Although, her pastry business is said to have closed down after the divorce with her husband, Philip.
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Ini Edo Awards
Ini Edo has been nominated for several awards for her contribution in the film Industry. Some of the awards she won include;
- Best Actress Leading Role, Best Nollywood Awards, 2009
- Best Actress Indigenous, Zulu African Film Academy Awards, 2011
- Honorarium Appreciation Award, Golden Icons Academy Movie Awards, 2012
- Best Act Female (English), Cross River Movie Award, 2013
- Female Viewers Choice, Golden Icons Academy Movie Awards, 2013
- Best Supporting Actress, Nollywood and African Film Critics Award (NAFCA), 2013
- Best Actress – Africa Collaboration, Ghana Movie Award, 2015
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Her Nominations are:
- Best Actress In Leading role at the Golden Icons Academy Movie Awards, 2012
- Female Viewers Choice at the Golden Icons Academy Movie Awards, 2012
- Best Actress Leading Role at the Golden Icons Academy Movie Awards, 2014
- The Best Comedic act at the Golden Icons Academy Movie Awards, 2014
- Best Actress-Viewers Choice at the Golden Icons Academy Movie Awards, 2014
- Best Actress at the Golden Icons Academy Movie Awards, 2015
- Female Viewers Choice at the Golden Icons Academy Movie Awards, 2015
- Best Actress Leading Role at the 11th Africa Movie Academy Awards in 2015
- The Best Actress in a Comedy at the Africa Magic Viewers Choice Awards in 2016
- Best Actress- TV Series at the Nigeria Entertainment Awards in 2016
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Ini Edo Movies
Ini Edo is a producer and she has produced films like: Heaven on my mind, Knocking on heaven’s door, Echoes of Love, Memories of my heart and many more. She has also acted in the following films:
- The One I Trust
- World Apart (1&2)
- Still In Love (1&2)
- Not Yours
- Negative Influence
- Mothers-in-Law
- Millionaire’s Daughter (1&2)
- Love Crime (1&2)
- Love & Marriage
- Legacy
- I Swear (1&2)
- Indulgence (1&2)
- Indecent Girl
- Men Do Cry (1&2)
- Lonely Heart (1&2)
- Faces of Beauty (1&2)
- Fatal Seduction (1&2)
- One on One
- My Confession
- War Game (1,2&3)
- Live to Remember
- Emotional Blackmail (1&2)
- Worth Enemy and Many More…
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Entrepreneurial Lessons From The Life Of Ini Edo
Understand your value
Ini Edo is a highly paid actress in the Nigerian movie industry. In one of her interviews, she mentioned what she looks out for before accepting to feature in a movie. This can also be applicable to entrepreneurs. You need to be specific on the kind of businesses and collaborations you venture into.
Empower People
Ini Edo stated how she featured newbies like Adesua Etomi and Blossom Chukwujekwu in Knocking on Heaven’s Door, the movie that moved them to stardom. Also, as entrepreneurs doing business, you should always share knowledge and build other people up. By so doing, our economy will grow.
Try New Things
Explore new areas. Ini became a producer to spice things up and get a seat at the big table. This is summarised in the words of C.S Lewis, “you never know what you can do until you try, and very few try unless they have to.”
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1 thought on “Ini Edo – Biography, Movies And Net Worth Of A Famous Nollywood Actress”
Ini Edo is doing well