#15 New Faces Of Nollywood [Photo Gallery]

Lilian Esoro

If her comedian friend, Bovi, hadn’t convinced her to take a shot at acting, she would have become a fashion designer. Since she starred in the 2006 sitcom, ‘Extended family’, Esoro has been enjoying the game. She plays Nurse Abigail in another sitcom ‘Clinic matters’ and is seen by many as one of the most promising actresses, having been nominated in the Best Actress in Comedy category at the 2013 Africa Magic Viewers Choice Awards. The Imo state born actress, who doubles as an events planner, has acted alongside O.C. Ukeje, Jide Kosoko and Yemi Blaq in various movies including ‘Secret room’, ‘Strive’, ‘The potter’ and ‘Next door neighbour’.

    

#16 New Faces Of Nollywood [Photo Gallery]

Linda Ejiofor

Six years ago, a friend of hers insisted she attend the audition call made by MNet, producers of ‘Tinsel.’ She did and was the better for it. Ejiofor, a graduate of Sociology from the University of Port Harcourt became popular for her role as Bimpe Adekoya, and later as Ejura in her first feature length movie ‘The Meeting,’ which got her nominations at the 2013 AMAA and Nollywood Movies Awards. She has since dumped her dream of working in an advertising agency to continue with acting. Her most recent work is ‘Secret Room’ starring alongside O.C. Ukeje and Lillian Esoro.

    

#17 New Faces Of Nollywood [Photo Gallery]

Nkiru Kiki Omeili

A medical doctor turned actress, Kiki became popular for her role as Titi Haastrup in the movie ‘Married but living single’ alongside Funke Akindele and Joseph Benjamin. She made her debut in the TV series ‘Behind the smile’ in 2011. Other series she has appeared in are ‘Nowhere to be found’, ‘Gidi culture’ and ‘Lekki wives.’ She won Best Actress in a Supporting Role at the 2012 African Film Awards. She also works as an OAP on Smooth FM where she anchors the programme, Balancing Life.

    

#18 New Faces Of Nollywood [Photo Gallery]

O.C Ukeje

 He first caught our attention when he won the 2007 Amstel Malta Box Office reality show. His victory got him the lead role in the movie ‘White Waters’, a role that fetched him AMAA’s Best Upcoming Actor award. Six years down the line, Ukeje seems unrelenting, having appeared in well over 50 TV series and movies, including the big budget ‘Half of a yellow sun’, alongside Thandie Newton and Chiwetel Ejiofor. 

2013 was indeed a big year for the actor; he landed eight nominations in the Best Actor Category of different awards, a record rarely achieved in this part of the world. A graduate of the New York Film Academy and a tenor singer/guitarist, O.C. has worked under industry heavyweights including Biyi Bandele, Charles Novia and Tunde Kelani.

    

#19 New Faces Of Nollywood [Photo Gallery]

Okey Uzoeshi

Okey Uzoeshi: A one-time member of the boy band, G-Exploits, Okey competed during the 2006 Amstel Malta Box Office show but only made it to the top ten. Unrelenting, he moved on to become one of the most sought after actors. He has featured in movies like ‘Fatal imagination’, ‘Sweet tomorrow’, ‘The rivals’ and ‘Two brides and a baby’. He also has been nominated for different categories at the GIAMA, AMAA and BON.