Oddly, Enyinna Nwigwe’s face is a lot more popular than his name; anybody who knows anything about Nollywood knows his face, and has enjoyed his performances in several movies; most of which are billboard topping films. Interestingly, many do not know the name of this tall, handsome, and charismatic actor.
With a talent like his, it is understandable that he has not wasted his abilities on movies that are not worth it; he specializes in producing the spectacular. Enyinna Nwigwe is yet to star in a movie that failed to meet up to expectations. He is also known to produce movies that tell important stories; movies that highlight some ills in the fabric of society; or that tell stories that highlight some important landmarks in our history.
Enyinna Nwigwe is doing a lot more than just acting and producing movies; he is playing a major role in the development of African culture and identity. This post highlights his career, family, and how he came to find himself in the position that he is.
Eyinna Nwigwe Profile
Real Name: Chief Enyinna Nwigwe
Date of Birth: September 18, 1982
Place of Birth: Benue State, Nigeria
Nationality: Nigerian
Marital Status: Single
Occupation: Actor, Movie producer and director
Net Worth: N19.5 million
Enyinna Nwigwe Biography
Enyinna Nwigwe was born on September 18, 1982, in Benue State, in the middle belt of Nigeria. He is from Ngor Okpala in Imo State, but was born in Benue State because his parents were civil servants. Enyinna Nwigwe is the last child of his family; he has two sisters and a brother. He speaks both Igbo and English.
Enyinna Nwigwe has fond memories of his childhood in Benue; he recalls a time when the area was peaceful, easygoing, and productive.
Enyinna Nwigwe attended the local schools in Benue for his Primary and Secondary Education, and when it was time for higher studies he enrolled at the University of Calabar, where he studied Economics.
Entry Into Movies
Enyinna Nwigwe started with small steps into the entertainment industry. He saw entertainment as a business, and tried to build a niche for himself in the entertainment world. While Enyinna Nwigwe was in school he used to organize fashion shows, which required him to groom fresh models. He used to pose as an actual runway model himself; and his shows used to come with musical entertainment.
His entry into the movie world actually happened by accident; he met veteran Nigerian filmmaker and movie director, Jeta Amata who was at the time filming a movie in Calabar.
Career Progression
It appears that Enyinna started his policy of featuring only in meaningful movies right from the onset of his career; his earliest movie appearance was in 2004, in Jeta Amata’s movie titled Wheel of Change, in which he played the role of Tony. The movie is all about HIV, and it was designed to highlight actions and behaviors that can potentially endanger a person, or expose him to the deadly virus. It was hoped that by watching the movie, young people can become aware of what causes HIV, and the rampart spread of the deadly disease can be abated in the country.
That movie also starred Desmond Elliot, Rita Dominic, Fred Amata, and Stella Damasus.
This movie effectively put Enyinna Nwigwe firmly inside the doors of Nollywood. As a matter of fact, he not only entered Nollywood, but also entered a particular echelon of Nollywood that is reserved for those with the most talent and charisma; and who put it to use for the development of society.
He reiterated his class when he played the role of Tamuno in Black November, which was produced in 2012. Black November is an extraordinary film; it is all about the human rights abuses on-going in the oil rich Niger Delta region of Nigeria; and how the political and military structure of the country have always suppressed the people, especially when they demand for their rights.
The film was an international creation; it along with the cream of the Nigerian movie industry, it featured some of the biggest and finest in Hollywood, such as Hakeem Kae-Kazim, Vivica Fox, Mickey Rourke, Kim Basinger, Akon, Wyclef Jean, Sarah Wayne Callies, Anne Heche, and Persia White.
That is a true block buster; it made headlines in both America and Nigeria, and was well reviewed by film critics. The movie is one that has gained audiences all over the world, and that has done good for the names and careers of everyone involved.
Wedding Party
From there, Enyinna Nwigwe went on to feature in arguably Nollywood’s biggest blockbuster movie till date; a movie called The Wedding Party (2016) which featured a mix of established stars and new talent. This movie premiered at the Toronto International Film Festival, and was soon released worldwide. It is a comedy about an intertribal marriage, and highlights the problems that can come with it. The film also subtly highlights societal ills such as Class Distinctions, Ethnicity, Poverty, Unfaithfulness in marriage, and so on.
This movie became Nigeria’s highest grossing film, and featured names like Adesua Etomi, Banky Wellington, Richard Mofe Damijo, Sola Sobowale, Iretiola Doyle, Alibaba Akporobome, Zainab Balogun, Somkele Iyamah-Idhalama, Beverly Naya, Daniella Down, Afeez Oyetoro, Ikechukwu Onunaku, and AY Makun.
Enyinna Nwigwe Movies (Filmography)
Having established himself as one of the biggest stars in Nollywood, Enyinna Nwigwe has starred in, or produced a long list of impressive movies some of which are listed below:
Wheel of Change (2005) Role Played: Tony
Last Game (2005) Role Played: Gubabi
Games Men Play (2006) Role Played: Attorney
The Amazing Grace (2006) Role Played: Etukudo, Associate Producer
Mary Slessor (Television Series) (2008) Role Played: Prince, Producer
Black Gold (2011) Role Played: Tamuno, Co-Producer
Turning Point (2012) Role Played: Steve
Black November (2012) Role Played: Tamuno Alaibe, Associate Producer
Silver Rain (2015) Role Played: Bruce
Love Struck (2015 ) Actor Role Played: TV Movie
Put a Ring on It (2016) Role Played: Robert
Hell or High Water (2016) Role Played: Actor Short Film
When Love Happens Again (2016) Role Played: Enyinna
Dinner Role Played: Adetunde George Jnr. (2016)
The Wedding Party (2016) Role Played: Nonso Onwuka
Hire A Man (2017) Role Played: Jeff
Red Code (2017) Role Played: Charles
Atlas (2017) Role Played: Osas
The Wedding Party 2 (2018) Role Played: Nonso
Bound (2018) Role Played: Elochukwu
Living in Bondage: Breaking Free (2019) Role Played: Obinna Omego
Cold Feet (2019) Role Played: Tare
Dear Affy (2020) Role Played: Micheal
Badamasi (2020 ) Role Played: Ibrahim Babangida
Eagle Wings (2021) Role Played: Nura Yusuf
The Silent Baron (2021)
Awards And Recognitions
At the 2015 Nollywood and African Film Critics Award, he was nominated for the Best Actor in a Supporting Role. It was for Black November.
At the 2016 City People Entertainment Awards, he was nominated for the Best Supporting Actor of the Year (English).
At the 2020 Africa Movie Academy Awards, he was nominated for the Best Actor in a Leading Role. It was for Badamasi.
At the 2020 Best of Nollywood Awards, he was nominated for the Best Actor in a Lead role – English. It was for Dear Affy.
At the 2021 Best of Nollywood Awards, he was nominated for the Best Actor in a Lead Role. For Badamasi.
At the 2022 Africa Magic Viewers’ Choice Awards, he was nominated for the Best Actor in A Drama. It was for Dear Affy.
Traditional Honour
Perhaps the biggest award or recognition he could get for his work as an actor is that which he received from his own people; he was styled “Chi Turu Ugo 1’ (One Crowned by God) by the Logara community in Imo State, on December 26, 2021. The conferment of the traditional title was done by His Royal Highness Felix I. Njoku, the Ogaraku II of Logara Kingdom.
During the ceremony he also took the opportunity to highlight the activities of the Enyinna Nwigwe Foundation (ENF), which he established to provide the dire needs of the less fortunate members of society. The ceremony attracted prominent sons and daughters of Igbo land, as well as friends and colleagues in the movie industry.
Enyinna Nwigwe Wife
Enyinna Nwigwe has no wife yet; he stated in an interview, about how he was afraid to get married because he did not want to marry the wrong person. He further stated how he did not want to be like the many celebrities who get married but soon see their marriages crash.
Enyinna Nwigwe Age
Enyinna Nwigwe was born on September 18, 1982. Therefore, he is 40 years old as at the time of filing this report.
Enyinna Nwigwe Child
Enyinna Nwigwe has stirred so much controversy by posting several pictures of him relaxing or eating with children all over his social media accounts. Despite his apparent love for kids, he is yet to have one for himself. The children are his nieces and nephews, and children of his close associates.
Enyinna Nwigwe Net Worth 2024 – 55.5Million USD
Enyinna Nwigwe as a movie actor, producer and former runway model has made an estimated N55.5 million for himself. However, it must be stated that he is very charitable; and gives away a lot of money through his charity.
Enyinna Nwigwe Social Media
Instagram: @a_yinna
Twitter: @A_Yina
There is what you need to know about super talented and charismatic actor and producer; Enyinna Nwigwe. He is an introvert; he is usually indoors, whenever he is not at a movie location. Enyinna Nwigwe is a fitness buff; is loves to workout and build his body, which contributes to his appeal as an actor.
