Beyond the Spotlight: 5 Nollywood Stars Quietly Building Business Empires

In the vibrant world of Nollywood, we’re used to seeing our favorite stars in captivating roles, romantic dramas, or laugh-out-loud comedies. But off the screen, some of these Nigerian actors are scripting an entirely different kind of story; one where the main characters are visionaries, investors, CEOs, and moguls.

These celebrities are not just content with box office numbers or red carpet appearances. They’re building companies, owning infrastructure, nurturing talent, and solidifying their place in history as industry shapers and not just entertainers. Let’s meet five Nollywood stars who have quietly, but powerfully, built business empires beyond the screen.

 1. Funke Akindele

She gave us Jenifa, but these days, Funke Akindele is giving us a masterclass in business leadership. Her journey from comedy actress to box office queen and industry mogul is a blueprint for reinvention.

Her Business Empire:                           

●       SceneOne Productions, the company behind the long-running and beloved series Jenifa’s Diary, is at the heart of her media success.
●       She launched SceneOne TV, a streaming platform for African content, long before local streaming became mainstream.
●       In 2023, she introduced FAAN (Funke Akindele Network), a production and PR powerhouse for African storytelling.

Her films (Omo Ghetto: The Saga, A Tribe Called Judah) have shattered box office records, with the latter becoming Nigeria’s highest-grossing film ever.

Beyond film, Funke has entered real estate through her Jenifa Gardens project and explored the music industry with SceneOne Records. She’s also a beloved brand ambassador, and continues to invest in philanthropy through the Jenifa Foundation.

 Funke doesn’t just act in stories she writes, produces, markets, and sells them. Her empire is self-owned and vision-driven.

2. Kunle Afolayan

Few people have contributed to the structural evolution of Nigerian cinema like Kunle Afolayan. A director, actor, and entrepreneur, Afolayan is building an ecosystem designed to outlive him and uplift others.

His Business Ventures:

●       KAP Motion Pictures, his production company, birthed cinematic classics like The Figurine, October 1, and Aníkúlápó.

●       He established the KAP Film & Television Academy with global partnerships (Netflix, Mastercard Foundation) to train the next generation of filmmakers.

●       His KAP Film Village & Resort in Oyo State is part production studio, part tourist haven, and part training hub.

He also owns KAPtv, a streaming platform for African stories, and KAP Cinemas, offering independent film exhibition options in Lagos.

Kunle Afolayan is not waiting for global validation; he’s building the next phase of Nollywood himself, brick by brick.

3. Jim Iyke

He may have earned his reputation as Nollywood’s “bad boy,” but Jim Iyke is anything but reckless in business. Under the sunglasses lies a sharp, focused mind that has built a business portfolio as diverse as it is ambitious.

His Empire Includes:

●       Burgeon Global, a holding company overseeing ventures in real estate, oil and gas, and infrastructure across Nigeria, Ghana, and the UAE.

●       Untamed Empire, a lifestyle brand offering water, fragrances, fashion, and luxury goods.

●       His production company, Untamed Productions, delivered Bad Comments, a self-funded, self-marketed hit addressing cyberbullying.

He also launched Untamed Closet, a fashion brand, and ran a reality show (Jim Iyke: Unscripted) to bolster his personal brand and business awareness.

Jim Iyke doesn’t just monetize fame; he reinvests it. His quiet but global brand expansion makes him one of Nollywood’s smartest and most diversified businessmen.

4. Omotola Jalade Ekeinde

From global stardom to property mogul, Omotola Jalade Ekeinde, fondly called Omosexy, is proving that true icons don’t just entertain, they build.

●       Studied Estate Management at Yaba College of Technology, laying a strong foundation for her real estate acumen.

●       Owns multi-million naira properties in Nigeria, though she keeps details private and strategic.

●       Developed Double Doors Studios in Lekki a creative complex that blends:

○       Film production studios
○       Boutique hospitality spaces
○       Business offices

●       Uses her deep industry insight to invest not just in land but in creative infrastructure.

🎤 Media & Personal Branding:

●       Launched her own reality TV show: Omotola: The Real Me (aired on Africa Magic).

●       Briefly pursued a music career to expand her creative expression and audience.

●       Secured multiple brand endorsements over the years, reinforcing her elite and versatile image.

“Omotola isn’t just building a brand she’s building a business legacy backed by bricks, camera lights, and bankable influence.”

Her moves are quiet but calculated merging education, experience, and elegance into a wealth-building strategy few can rival.

  5. Richard Mofe-Damijo (RMD)

Polished, poised, and powerful, RMD’s elegance isn’t just for the screen. He’s used his influence to carve out a niche in branding, public relations, and cultural leadership.

His Ventures Include:

●       White Water Limited, a PR firm handling strategic communications for top clients in government and business.

●       RMD Productions, which recently signed a global distribution deal for its upcoming films.

●       A respected track record in politics, having served as Delta State’s Commissioner for Culture and Tourism.

He remains a high demand brand ambassador, with campaigns that benefit from his timeless appeal and trust factor.

RMD merges celebrity with diplomacy. His career proves that personal branding, done right, can evolve into political and corporate influence. 

These five actors are not just surviving the entertainment industry but they’re reshaping it. Each has used their personal brand as a launchpad into real estate, hospitality, content ownership, PR, education, or FMCG.

They’re not just faces on posters. They’re founders, visionaries, and architects of legacy. While others chase roles, they build platforms. While others trend, they own.

In an industry often obsessed with the now, these stars are focused on forever.