• The influence of social media over the last decade has grown tremendously that when certain milestone numbers are reached on Instagram, celebrities go all out to celebrate them
• Actresses like Funke Akindele, Mercy Johnson and Iyabo Ojo are some of the few with huge followership on the Gram, and their influence in the movies industry can’t be understated
• Legit.ng, in this article, has created an index of the top 10 most followed Nollywood actresses on Instagram, with the likes of Mercy Aigbe & Regina Daniels making taking the five positions

It is not far-fetched why three of the highest-grossing movies in Nollywood for 2022-2023 are products of two of the top five actresses with the most followers on Instagram.

These actresses have translated their vast followership into ticket-buying cinema-goers and are reaping the benefits of constantly entertaining their audience.

Meanwhile, those who aren’t particularly big on the cinema side of things have translated their followers into getting great deals from sponsorships or brand influence.

While some have been able to cash out with their audience via YouTube subscriptions and views.

Legit.ng, in this article, has compiled a list of the top 10 most followed Nollywood actresses on Instagram.

1. Funke Akindele has 15.7 million followers

Ace actress and movie producer Funke Akindele leads the park with an incredible 15.7m followers on Instagram and, to a large extent, is believed to be the queen.

The highest-grossing box office movie in Nollywood for the last three years has been Funke Akindele’s Omo Ghetto: The Saga and Battle on Buka Street. And before then, there was the Return of Jenifa.

Also, for series Jenifa’s Diaries held sway for years and dominated the sitcom industry.

The actress’ large following was built both online and offline. However, constant content creation and engagement with her followers have made her the leader of the pack.

2. Mercy Johnson-Okojie is second with 13.5m followers

Kogi state-born movie star Mercy Johnson is the second most followed Nollywood actress in Nigeria with an astonishing 13.5m followers.

The mother of four is another actress who has, over the years, used her platform to engage with her fans constantly; her influence can not be underestimated.

During the 2023 elections, Mercy used her platform to pull thousands of votes for her husband, Prince Okojie. With the help of his wife, the Politician emerged as the House of Rep member for Esan South East LGA.

Mercy Johnson also uses her following to dominate the cinemas. We recall that her movie, Legend of Inikpi, released in 2020, shattered several records when it hit the box office and still holds some of them.

3. Regina Daniels has 13m followers on the Gram

The young mother of two, Regina Daniels, is the third most followed Nollywood actress with a followership of over 13 million.

She recently reached this milestone figure and was super proud of it as she couldn’t help but go online to celebrate it. Her husband also used Regina Daniel’s followership to engage with some of the electorates in Delta South during the 2023 election.

The billionaire politician won the position he contested for and did so with a plum.

4. Mercy Aigbe is the fourth most followed with 11.2m

Nollywood actress Mercy Aigbe is another with a significant following on Instagram. She is 1.8m short of Regina Daniels at 11.2m.

The movie star is another who has been able to translate her considerable followership into viewers of her content and movies.

She does so through YouTube subscribers and views. Her YouTube page is one of the most subscribed to and growing daily.

5. Toyin Abraham is the last of the top five with 9m

Toyin Abraham, the box office queen, is another Nollywood actress and movie producer who has built a vast followership on Instagram and has now translated it into cinema-going fans of her movies.

Mummy Ire holds the record of producing the second highest-grossing movie of 2021 and 2023, coming second only behind Funke Akindele.

Toyin Abraham is fifth on the list with just over 9m followers on IG.

6. Genevieve Nnaji, even in absentia, still has 8.5m

Veteran Nollywood actress Genevieve Nnaji leads the second half of the top 10, and she does so in absentia.

Imagine if she was active and constantly engaging with her fans and followers. Genevieve Nnaji is the sixth most followed Nollywood actress on Instagram, with 8.5m followers.

7. Tonto Dikeh maintains her influence at 7.4m

Controversial actress Tonto Dikeh is the seventh most-followed female movie star on Instagram.

It is worthy of consideration that she achieved this or maintained such a considerable influence even though it’s been over five years since she last featured or starred in any Nollywood movie.

Believe it or not, Tonto is still a force in the Nigerian movie industry. Underestimate her at your peril.

8. Rita Dominic has 7.2m

Recently married Nollywood ace Rita Dominic takes up the eighth position on the list with 7.2 million followers.

Rita does this with her subtle command of charisma and class. She built this massive following without featuring in skits or jumping on trending social media challenges.

You have to respect Rita’s control and lure that could have given such a following without going the way that most other actresses did.

9. Chioma Akpotha is 9th with 6.8m followers

Chioma Akpotha is another Nollywood actress who has risen from despair and grown her brand to such a significant position that you must give her her flowers.

The comic multi-talented actress is one of the surprises and biggest shocks on the list. One would have expected other actresses to feature ahead of her on the list, but here we are; numbers don’t lie. At 6.8m, she is the 9th.

10. Iyabo Ojo might be the TikTok queen but on IG has 5.9m

Ace Yoruba, actress and skit maker Iyabo Ojo, is Instagram’s 10th most followed Nollywood actress.

One would expect that she would feature higher on the list due to her social media presence of late. However, even at 5.9m followers, it is still a significant accolade. You would have to give it to Iyabo Ojo with her unique engagement style and constant content creation on Instagram and TikTok.

Source: Legit.ng