Chief Enyinna Nwigwe // (Born September 18) is a Nigerian actor, producer, and entrepreneur. He is best known for playing Nonso in The Wedding Party 2,[1][2] and playing Tamuno in Black November.[3]

Enyinna Nwigwe
BornSeptember 18
Ngor Okpala, Nigeria
NationalityNigerian
CitizenshipNigerian
EducationEconomics,University of Calabar
Alma materUniversity of Calabar
Occupations
  • Actor
  • film producer
  • entrepreneur
Years active2005 — present
Notable workGames Men Play
The Wedding Party 2

Early life and education

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Nwigwe was born on September 18, 1982,[4] and raised in Obiangwu, Ngor Okpala, in Imo State to Nigerian parents. He studied at the University of Calabar, in Cross River State, Nigeria and holds a degree in economics.[5]

Career

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Nwigwe began his career as a print and runway model before transitioning to professional acting.[6]

His first feature was in a 2004 film, Wheel of Change,[7][8]

In 2012, he joined the cast of Black November opposite actors Kim Basinger, and Vivica A. Fox, Akon, and Wyclef Jean. In 2017, he played the lead role in the South African movie, All About Love which won the best film, Southern Africa, at the AMVCA. In 2019, Nwigwe played the role of Obinna Omego in the remake of the Nigerian film, Living in Bondage: Breaking Free,[9] and also played the role of Nura Yusuf in Nigeria's first military-based film, Eagle Wings.[10] Nwigwe also played the lead in Badamasi, a biopic on the former military President of Nigeria.[11] He got the Best Actor in a Leading Role nomination at the Africa Movie Academy Awards, for his portrayal of President Ibrahim Badamasi Babangida in the film.[12]

Nwigwe's portrait by Nigerian-American photographer Iké Udé was selected to permanently be on exhibition[13] at the Smithsonian Institution's National Museum of African Art.[14]

Personal life

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Nwigwe lives in Lagos State, southwestern Nigeria.[15] He is a Nigerian Chief.[16]

Filmography

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Film

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Year Title Role Notes
2005 Wheel of Change Tony
Last Game Gubabi
2006 Games Men Play Attorney
The Amazing Grace Etukudo, Associate Producer
2011 Black Gold Tamuno, Co-producer
2012 Turning Point Steve
Black November Tamuno Alaibe, Associate Producer
2015 Silver Rain Bruce
Love Struck Actor TV movie
2016 Put a Ring on It Robert
Hell or High Water Actor Short Film
When Love Happens Again Enyinna
Dinner Adetunde George Jnr.
The Wedding Party Nonso Onwuka
2017 Hire A Man Jeff
Red Code Charles
Atlas Osas
The Wedding Party 2 Nonso
2018 Bound Elochukwu
2019 Living in Bondage: Breaking Free Obinna Omego
Cold Feet Tare
2020 Dear Affy Micheal
Badamasi Ibrahim Babangida
2021 Eagle Wings Nura Yusuf
2021 The Silent Baron Anselm
2022 Love Trap[17] Young Stephen Tanui Romance
2023 Teni's Big Day Jeff Romance
2023 What No One Knows Efosa Akenuwa Drama

Television

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Year Title Role Notes
2008 Mary Slessor Prince, Producer
2023 Pyramid Nigeria Host [18]

Awards and nominations

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Year Award Category Film Result Ref
2015 Nollywood and African Film Critics Award Best Actor in a Supporting Role Black November Nominated [19]
2016 City People Entertainment Awards Best Supporting Actor of the Year (English) Nominated [20]
2020 Africa Movie Academy Awards Best Actor in a Leading Role Badamasi Nominated [12]
Best of Nollywood Awards Best Actor in a Lead role – English Dear Affy Nominated [21]
2021 Best of Nollywood Awards Badamasi Pending [22]
2022 Africa Magic Viewers' Choice Awards Best Actor in A Drama Dear Affy Pending [23]

References

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  1. ^ "The Wedding Party 2": Taking Nollywood Global". The Guardian Life. 17 December 2017.
  2. ^ "This Nollywood Star Is On a Mission to Become a Master Actor—and He's Well On His Way". Okay Africa. 26 February 2018.
  3. ^ Izuzu, Chidumga. "Enyinna Nwigwe: 10 things you didn't know about "Black November" actor". Pulse Nigeria. Retrieved 4 July 2017.
  4. ^ "All About Enyinna Nwigwe's Marriage". Dnbstories.com. Retrieved 30 March 2023.
  5. ^ "Biography/Profile/History Of Nollywood actor Enyinna Nwigwe – Daily Media Nigeria". Daily Media Nigeria.[permanent dead link]
  6. ^ "Enyinna Nwigwe – Runway model to award-winning actor". Guardian Nigeria. 9 June 2017. Archived from the original on 30 June 2017. Retrieved 5 July 2017.
  7. ^ "Meet Enyinna Nwigwe - The talented and good-looking Nigerian born Nollywood Actor and Producer on an impressive climb to stardom". Talk Media Africa. 22 December 2014.
  8. ^ "Enyinna Nwigwe: Here's everything you need to know about actor's "unusual" character in "Suru L' ere"". Pulse Nigeria. Archived from the original on 1 August 2017. Retrieved 5 July 2017.
  9. ^ "'Living in Bondage: Breaking Free' Premiers on Netflix". Thisday Nigeria.
  10. ^ "Nigeria's first-ever military movie 'Eagle Wings' premieres in Lagos". Premium Times Nigeria. 8 March 2021.
  11. ^ "Filmmaker tells IBB's story in biopic film 'Badamasi: Portrait of a General'". Premium Times Nigeria. 18 October 2019.
  12. ^ a b "Film on IBB gets AMAA 2020 nominations". News Express Nigeria.
  13. ^ "Moving Nigerian filmmaking beyond Nollywood". CNN.com. 2 October 2018.
  14. ^ "Nollywood actor Enyinna's portrait selected for American museum". The Nation Online. 3 February 2021.
  15. ^ "Enyinna Nwigwe talks acting in Borno, not leaving Nigeria for Hollywood". The Cable Lifestyle. 28 March 2021.
  16. ^ "Nollywood Star, Enyinna Nwigwe, Gets Chieftaincy Title For Philanthropic Activities". The Leadership. 29 May 2022.
  17. ^ Chinepoh, Cosson (26 February 2022), Love Trap (Romance), Tati Amie, Denise Valérie Ayena, Kacy Banks, Mandh Filmhouse, retrieved 20 June 2024
  18. ^ Ebrechi, Kennedy. "Sony Pictures Television Unveils Enyinna Nwigwe As Host For "Pyramid Game Show Nigeria"". The Nigerian Voice. Retrieved 9 October 2023.
  19. ^ "Oprah Winfrey, Vivica Fox, RMD, AY & Others make Nollywood & African Film Critics' Awards (NAFCA) Nominees List". Nollywood Observer.[permanent dead link]
  20. ^ "City People Entertainment Awards 2016: "Suru L"ere," "Tinsel," Adeniyi Johnson, Mide Martins among nominees". Pulse Nigeria.
  21. ^ "Behold hot steppers and winners at BON awards 2020". Vanguard News. 12 December 2020. Retrieved 11 October 2021.
  22. ^ Edeme, Victoria (11 September 2021). "BBNaija Pere bags 'Best Actor' nomination in 2021 BON Awards". Punch Newspapers. Retrieved 17 September 2021.
  23. ^ "2022 Africa Magic Awards Nominees don land- See who dey list". BBC News Pidgin. Retrieved 26 March 2022.
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