When it comes to Nollywood, the women do not just shine on screen, they also stir headlines, fuel social media debates, and sometimes redefine what it means to be famous in ways that work for them.
From messy public breakups and attention-seeking behaviors that cross boundaries to real-life scandals that rival any movie plot, these actresses have kept mouths watering and tongues wagging for all the right and wrong reasons. In a world where image is everything, these ten Nollywood actresses have worn controversy like a badge, whether intentionally or not.
Here is a look at the most controversial female stars in the industry, how they got there, and why they just cannot seem to stay out of the spotlight.
Tonto Dikeh
Tonto Dikeh is the queen of chaos and confidence. She isn’t just controversial but practically owns the category. A Nigerian actress, singer, and songwriter, from her early days as a “bad girl” actress to becoming a single mother, then a political aspirant and social media storm, she has done it all publicly, loudly, unapologetically, and quickly. She’s fought with fellow celebs like Kemi Olunloyo and her ex-husband Olakunle Churchill, aired private family drama on Instagram, and reinvented herself multiple times. Dikeh was rumored to have been in a relationship with Rukky Sanda. Whether it’s plastic surgery, becoming a born-again Christian, or engaging in politics, Tonto always makes headlines. In 2022, she was announced as the deputy governorship candidate under the ADC party for the 2023 Rivers State gubernatorial election. She is the drama.
Iyabo Ojo
Iyabo Ojo, an actress known for entertainment activism, is the kind of person who never backs down from a fight; she’s a Nollywood firebrand fighter. Whether it’s defending victims, dragging trolls, or clashing with colleagues, she’s fearless. Her outspokenness during the Baba Ijesha sexual assault scandal earned her both admiration and attacks. She’s known to blast the government, call out fake friends, and isn’t shy about flaunting her lifestyle online. While her supporters love her strength and transparency, critics say she courts too much drama. Either way, she’s always trending and rarely for her acting credits alone.
Mercy Aigbe
Mercy Aigbe is a queen of style, but her personal life has kept her in hot water more than once, because her style lies between fashion, family, and fury. Her messy and infamous split from ex-husband Lanre Gentry played out publicly, with accusations of domestic violence, infidelity, and even paternity drama trending across social media platforms. More recently, she stirred controversy by marrying Kazim Adeoti, a man whose first wife publicly claimed she was betrayed. Nigerians, as usual, engaged in a heated debate concerning morals, polygamy, and “snatching” of spouses and partners for weeks. Mercy didn’t back down, choosing instead to celebrate her love boldly and loudly. It’s no surprise she’s both loved and hated in equal measure.
Cossy Orjiakor
Cossy Orjiakor is an actress and singer who built her brand on boldness. Known for flaunting her body and embracing a hyper-sexualized image long before it became trendy or a norm, she challenged Nigeria’s conservative style and paid for it with endless slurs and insults. She once acted with a parrot on her shoulder and her chest exposed, which caused uproar. Years later, she accused a journalist of embarrassing and condemning her and blamed him for damaging her career. The drama didn’t end there; Cossy also announced an engagement with a much younger man and then called it off after accusing him of domestic abuse. Orjiakor announced her engagement in 2020 with a male fashion model, who called off the engagement after accusing Orjiakor of domestic violence, and vice versa; they called it quits. Cossy lives loudly, and controversy follows her closely.
Regina Daniels
Regina Daniels is a billionaire’s wife and an internet target. When she married billionaire politician Ned Nwoko, Daniels was a teenage actress, which is why the internet exploded. She was called everything from a “gold digger” to a “victim.” Some claimed she was forced, others believed she made a calculated choice of her own. Ned Nwoko is over thirty years her senior, a fact that became a national conversation. Daniels kept her calm and never lost her guard while showing off a fairy-tale lifestyle with luxury cars, designer bags, and vacation photos. But to many Nigerians, she is only a gold digger. Years later, she’s still a hot topic despite her resilience.
Angela Okorie
Angela Okorie is a drama magnet, or drama setter. From feuds with fellow celebrities to claims of surviving spiritual attacks and assassination attempts, her stories often sound straight out of a Nollywood script or thriller. She once accused Mercy Johnson of bullying her on set and publicly insulted her. On one occasion, the Cotonou-born actress clashed with BBNaija’s Tacha and crossdresser Bobrisky, calling them fake role models. Okorie’s negative comments on same-sex relationships, particularly lesbianism, were well received by fans and critics. Angela also posted videos with gunmen, sparking concern and criticism. Her posts are extremely wild, her language is often blunt, and her scandals are never far away.
Toke Makinwa
Though primarily a media personality and television host, Toke Makinwa has appeared in Nollywood projects and remains a major player in the entertainment scene. She’s very controversial for her lifestyle and her unapologetic views on relationships, plastic surgery, and sex. She once revealed she bleached her skin, underwent cosmetic procedures, and doesn’t believe in “suffering with a man.” Nigerian “Twitter” doesn’t always agree, but Toke always stays booked, bossed-up, and incredibly bold. She married Maje Ayida in 2014 and divorced him in 2017 after learning that he impregnated his former girlfriend. Makinwa embodies the new-age celebrity: controversial, curated, and cashing in on every click.
Halima Abubakar
Kano State-born actress Halima Abubakar has been in the news more for controversy than career lately. Her most explosive moment came when she publicly accused Apostle John Suleman of a secret relationship that allegedly damaged her health. She claimed they had a long affair, posted hospital pictures, and described spiritual battles and mysterious illnesses. As expected, the pastor denied everything, while some of her peers called her unstable. Halima, however, insisted she was telling the truth and said she was ready to die fighting. The story blurred the line between Nollywood and Nigerian church politics, making it one of the most shocking entertainment scandals in years.
Etinosa Idemudia
Benin-born actress Etinosa Idemudia first went viral for going nude on Instagram Live while clearly intoxicated. That alone was enough to stamp her name in controversy history, but she didn’t stop there. She once smoked weed using the Bible, claiming she “read psalms to get high”; this drew fire from religious groups and fans alike. Etinosa later said it was all for attention, trying to defend herself in a pathetic fashion, but the internet doesn’t forget. She also dragged her husband and tackled motherhood publicly, and often challenges societal norms on social media. She’s the definition of unfiltered, and that has made her both loved and loathed.
Nkechi Blessing Sunday
Born and raised in Surulere, Lagos, Nkechi Blessing Sunday doesn’t know how to be quiet, and that’s exactly why she always finds herself wanting. Whether it’s beefing with ex-lovers, showing off her curves, or clapping back at trolls, she does it all with ease. Her breakup with politician Opeyemi Falegan turned into a circus of insults, lies, and emotional live sessions. She’s also fought with colleagues, flaunted adult toys, and made controversial statements about marriage and independence. She’s the kind of woman who might fight in your comments section, block you, and then post a motivational quote five minutes later. The unpredictability keeps her trending and sometimes under fire.
