Ini Edo Biography: Early Life, Career, Dilms, Awards, Endorsement, Husband & Net Worth
Iniobong Edo Ekim (b. April 23, 1982) is a Nigerian actress. Ini Edo made her cinematic debut in 2000 and has been in over 200 films since then. In 2013, Ini Edo judged the Miss Black Africa UK Pageant and the De9jaSpirit Talent Hunt. Miss Ini Edo was designated as a UN-Habitat Youth Envoy by the United Nations in 2014.
Ini Edo Biography
Photo by Arnold Jerocki/Getty Images
Ini Edo is an Ibibio from Akwa Ibom, a state in southern Nigeria. Her mother was a schoolteacher, while her father was a church elder. Ini Edo grew up in a strict family, the second of four children, three girls and one boy. She attended Cornelia Connelly College in Uyo, Nigeria.
She graduated from the University of Uyo with a Diploma in Theatre Arts. She also finished her bachelor’s degree at the University of Calabar, where she studied English. In 2014, she received a scholarship to study law at Nigeria’s National Open University.
Career
Her acting career began in 2000, with her debut in Thick Madam. A producer noticed Ini Edo after her audition. Her breakthrough came in 2004, when she appeared in World Apart. She has appeared in nearly a hundred films. She received a “Best Lead Actress” nomination at the 11th Africa Movie Academy Awards for her role in the film “While You Slept”.
Ini Edo, on the other hand, stated in 2017 that only hard work, delight, and dedication can propel one to the top of the Nollywood profession, which has numerous distractions. However, she encouraged that with determination, one could get there.
In 2021, she launched Secrets of April, a luxury fashion and cosmetics firm that offers high-fashion apparel, beauty items, and accessories for individual expressions by the affluent and famous. As an ambassador, she represents the National Democratic Institute (NDI), a non-governmental organisation dedicated to improving the effectiveness of democratic institutions.
Ini Edo produced ShantyTown, a Nigerian murder thriller that premiered on Netflix on January 20, 2023. Ini Edo is one of the judges of De9jaspirit Talent Hunt; she has so far anchored the first and second, and third seasons.
In 2025, Ini Edo is expected to be a major star in the third season of Africa’s first and largest reality television series, “Young, Famous & African” on Netflix. The African show has lately topped the chart at #5 in television series as of January 4, 2025.
Filmography
Thick Madam
World Apart
Eye of the Gods
Beautiful Faces
Ultimate Crisis
The Begotten
Only Love
Last Game
Desperate Billionaire
Lonely Hearts
Girls Cot
Secret Fantasy
Price of Fame
Married to the Enemy
Games Men Play
Political Control
Ass on Fire
Breathe Again
Sleek Ladies
Most Wanted Bachelor
Ghetto Queen
Power of Beauty
Love Games
Reloaded (2009 film)
Live To Remember
Native Son
White Hunters
Return of White Hunters
Mad Sex
I’ll Take My Chances
Caro The Iron Bender
Royal Gift’
Blind Kingdom’
Beyond Disability
Knocking on Heaven’s Door
Birthmark
Lipstick
The Patient
Heaven on My Mind
Chief Daddy
The Ghost and the Tout Too
Gbege
The Man for the Job
Moving On
Shanty Town
Rent a Room
Onyeegwu
Fatal Seduction (2006)
The Greatest Sacrifice (2006)
My Heart Your Home (2006)
No Where to Run (2006)
Stolen Tomorrow
Sacrifice for Love (2006)
Silence of the Gods (2006) as Nkoli
Supremacy (2006)
Too Late to Claim (2006) as Rose
Total Control (2006) as Laura
Traumatised (2006) as Idara
War Game (2006)
11:45… Too Late (2005)
The Bank Manager (2005) as Ifeoma
The Bet (2005)
Cold War (2005) as Udoka
Crying Angel (2005) as Nkem
Desperate Need
Emotional Blackmail (2005)
I Want My Money (2005)
Last Picnic (2005)
Living in Tears (2005)
Living Without You (2005)
Men Do Cry (2005)
My Precious Son (2005) as Tina
One God One Nation (2005) as Rosie
Weekend getaway
Pretty Angels (2005)
Red Light (2005)
Royal Package (2005)
Security Risk (2005)
Songs of Sorrow (2005)
Stronghold (2005)
Tears for Nancy (2005) as Nancy
Unforeseen (2005)
Eyes of Love (2004) as Helen
Faces of Beauty (2004) as Melisa Snr.
Indecent Girl (2004) as Patra
Indulgence (2004)
I Swear (2004) as Cynthia
Legacy (2004)
Love Crime (2004)
Love & Marriage (2004)
Negative Influence (2004)
Not Yours! (2004)
The One I Trust (2003)
Sisters On Fire
Royalty Apart
Never Let Go
End of Do or Die Affair
Darkness of Sorrows
Final Sorrow
Behind The Melody
Memories of The Heart
Royal Gift
Dangerous
Save The Last Dance
Battle For Bride
Caged Lovers
In The Cupboard (2012) as Trisha
Hunted Love
Anointed Queen
A Dance For The Prince
Bride’s War
Tears In The Palace
Slip of Fate
At All Cost
The Princess of My Life
Inale (2010) as Omada
I’ll Take My Chances (2011) as Idara
Nkasi The Village Fighter
Nkasi The Sprot Girl
The Return of Nkasi
Soul of a Maiden
Blood is Money
Endorsement
Ini Edo was Glo’s brand ambassador from 2006 to 2016.
Noble Hair appointed her as its brand ambassador in 2010.
Ini Edo is Slim Tea’s brand ambassador in Nigeria.
In 2019, she was named an ambassador for the @MrTaxi_NG brand.
In 2023, she was appointed as a Capital Luxury brand ambassador.
Political Appointment.
Udom Gabriel Emmanuel appointed Ini Edo as the Akwa Ibom State Governor’s Special Assistant on Culture and Tourism in 2016.
Awards and nominations
Year
Event
Prize
Result
2009
2009 Best of Nollywood Awards
Best Actress Leading Role (Yoruba)
Won
2011
Zulu African Film Academy Awards
Best Actress Indigenous
Won
2012
2012 Golden Icons Academy Movie Awards
Best Actress In Leading role
Nominated
Female Viewers Choice
Nominated
Honorarium Appreciation Award
Won
2013
2013 Golden Icons Academy Movie Awards
Female Viewers Choice
Won
Cross River Movie Award
Best Act Female(English)
Won
NAFCA
Best supporting Actress
Won
2014
2014 Golden Icons Academy Movie Awards
Best Actress Leading Role
Nominated
Best Comedic act
Nominated
Best Actress-Viewers Choice
Nominated
2015
2015 Golden Icons Academy Movie Awards
Best Actress
Nominated
Female Viewers Choice
Nominated
2015 Ghana Movie Awards
Best Actress – Africa Collaboration
Won
11th Africa Movie Academy Awards
Best Actress Leading Role
Nominated
2016
2016 Africa Magic Viewers Choice Awards
Best Actress in a Comedy
Nominated
2016 Nigeria Entertainment Awards
Best Actress – TV Series
Nominated
2018
ZAFAA Global Awards
Best Actress
Won
2021
Net Honours
Most Popular Actress
Nominated
Africa Movie Academy Awards
Best Actress in a Supporting Role
Nominated
2023
2023 Africa Magic Viewers Choice Awards
Best Actress in a Drama
Nominated
Ini Edo Husband
In 2008, Ini Edo married Philip Ehiagwina, an American-based businessman. The marriage dissolved in September 2014, after six years. Ini Edo gave birth to her first child, a girl, through surrogacy in 2021.
Ini Edo Net Worth
Ini Edo’s net worth is predicted to be $4 million by 2025, placing her among the country’s wealthiest actors. The Nollywood actress accumulated her income through a variety of means. However, her acting and political careers have contributed significantly to her income.
Social Media
Instagram: @iniedo
