As Nollywood grows into one of the world’s largest film industries, actors’ compensation is becoming more structured and lucrative. In 2025, how much Nollywood actors and actresses make largely depends on their career tier—entry-level to A-list—as well as allowances and additional income streams.

Here’s the latest breakdown of Nollywood salaries and allowances in Nigeria.

Salary Ranges by Actor Tier (Per Movie)

Entry-Level & Upcoming Actors

Beginners or actors with minimal exposure typically earn between ₦50,000 and ₦300,000 per film. These are often low-budget or YouTube productions.

Mid-Level Actors (3–5 Years Experience)

Actors steadily gaining recognition earn around ₦500,000 to ₦2,000,000 per movie, often for TV and medium-tier releases.

Top-Tier (A-List) Actors & Actresses

Superstars like Genevieve Nnaji, RMD, Funke Akindele, Mercy Johnson, Ramsey Nouah, and Jim Iyke command between ₦2,000,000 and ₦10,000,000, with blockbuster projects sometimes paying as much as ₦15 million or more.

Allowances & Additional Compensation

Top Nollywood stars often receive benefits beyond base pay:

• Wardrobe, makeup, and styling allowances

• Travel and accommodation coverage

• Production bonuses and profit-sharing (rare but possible)

• Streaming royalties (for films licensed to platforms like Netflix)

• Event appearance fees and hosting gigs

• Brand deals, endorsements, and other business ventures add substantial income

Factors Influencing Pay Rates

Earnings vary by:

• Experience & popularity

• Production budget and release platform (cinema vs. streaming vs. YouTube)

• Negotiation strength

• Number of supporting roles vs. lead roles

• Social media influence and endorsement deals

Real Talks from Nollywood Scene

Some actors share:

“An actor in Nollywood could earn anywhere between ₦50,000 to ₦2 million per movie.”

Another insider notes:

“Some producers pay only ₦50k to ₦100k for newbies, who take roles just for exposure.”

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

Q1: Who is the highest-paid Nollywood actress in 2025?
Genevieve Nnaji is among the highest-paid—earning between ₦8 million and ₦10 million, occasionally more on major productions.

Q2: Do actors earn royalties from streaming platforms?
Usually not. Royalties are rare in Nollywood, but some international or streaming deals include profit-sharing.

Q3: Are allowances common?
Yes. Top-tier actors typically receive allowances for travel, wardrobe, and makeup, especially on big-budget films.

Q4: How much do new actors earn?
Newcomers earn around ₦50,000 to ₦300,000 per film—sometimes even just refreshments and exposure.

Q5: Is acting a lucrative career in Nollywood?
For A-list actors, absolutely—especially with diversified income from endorsements and streaming. For newcomers, the journey starts modestly but upward mobility is strong.

Final Thoughts

In 2025, Nollywood offers a diverse earning landscape:

• Entry-level talent earns modestly, building credentials.

• Mid-tier actors reach half a million to a few million naira per film.

• A-list stars command multi-million naira paychecks and enjoy additional perks and brand deals.