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| Genevieve Nnaji |
Lagos, Nigeria — In a candid and uplifting reflection, celebrated actress and filmmaker Genevieve Nnaji shared her extraordinary rise from hardship to global recognition:
“I grew up in Surulere, Lagos, as the fourth of eight children. Life was hard—my father lost his job twice, and we moved to Egbeda. My mother was a teacher who also sold goods, and I helped her hustle just to survive.”
Despite becoming pregnant at just 17 and dropping out of secondary school, Nnaji’s resilience never faltered. At 19, she landed her first acting role in Most Wanted, and later gained national attention with Mortal Inheritance:
“At 19, I got my first acting role in Most Wanted, and later starred in Mortal Inheritance, which made people start noticing me.”
Success soon followed—she became the first actress to win the City People Best Actress award in 2001 and earned the Africa Movie Academy Award for Best Actress in 2005.
Her career took another leap when she directed Lionheart in 2018, the first Nigerian film acquired by Netflix, an achievement she describes as one of her proudest moments.
Even as a celebrated icon, Nnaji remains deeply rooted in her humble beginnings:
“I support girls’ education and small businesses because if a teenage mother from Egbeda can rise to the top, then others can too.”
Her story—marked by perseverance through adversity, youth, and family responsibilities—is a powerful beacon of hope. Genevieve Nnaji’s advocacy for girls and entrepreneurship underscores her enduring commitment to using her platform for social impact.
Reporting by News House
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