Nkem Owoh Biography: Early Life, Career, Films, Songs, Awards, Wife & Net Worth
Nkem Owoh (born February 7, 1958) is a Nigerian actor, comedian, and singer. In 2008, he received the Africa Movie Academy Award for “Best Actor in a Leading Role” for his performance in the Nigerian film Stronger Than Pain.
Nkem Owoh Biography
Photo Credit: @osuofia_nkemowoh, Instagram
Nkem Owoh was born on February 7, 1958, in Enugu State, Nigeria. The majority of his early life, including primary and secondary school, was spent in this bustling city.
After graduating from high school, Owoh proceeded to Abeokuta, Ogun State, to study engineering at the Federal University of Agriculture.
It was during Owoh’s time at the university that he started to take part in small plays and events, a time when his talent in acting began to show up.
Career
Owoh had a keen interest in performing arts from a young age, which continued through primary, secondary, and university education. He studied engineering, but his true passion was creative expression through acting, writing, and singing.
After completing his national youth service, he joined WACO Engineering, but was laid off after only one year. However, this episode proved to be a gift in disguise, as it opened the door for him to pursue prospects in radio and television production.
In 1979, he began his career in the entertainment business as a writer for the Nigerian Television Authority. He further enhanced his writing skills by penning scripts for important projects, such as The New Masquerade and Basi and Company (a sitcom developed by Ken Saro-Wiwa). He also stepped in for an absent actor in the breakthrough sitcom The New Masquerade, portraying a drunk. This unexpected opportunity propelled his great career.
However, Owoh entered the movie industry when he was hired to conduct the subtitling for the Igbo language film Living in Bondage after it was completed. Following the popularity of Living in Bondage, acting possibilities began to pour in.
A year later, he won his next major role as a customs officer in the Igbo-language film Circle of Doom. His strong performance heralded his entry on the scene, enticing producers who sought him not only for his acting abilities but also for his scriptwriting ability. Following Circle of Doom, he won his third film role, Taboo, for which he also wrote the script.
In 1995, Owoh created and produced the legendary film Ikuku, in which he played the unforgettable character Osuofia (a drunk). His performance as Osuofia in the film garnered him enormous acclaim and cemented his status as a household name. In 1997, he created Ikuku 2, a sequel to the previous film in which he played a drunk. That same year, he collaborated with Okey Bakassi to create Pampam.
Nkem Owoh reprised his role as Osuofia in the films “Osuofia in London” (2003) and “Osuofia in London 2” (2004), both produced by Kingsley Ogoro. His role in this film won him international recognition and a nickname. This achievement set the path for a long-lasting career, with regular cinema appearances from then on.
Owoh is also recognised for singing the song “I Go Chop Your Dollar” about advance fee theft. The song was featured in the film The Master, in which Owoh plays a charlatan. The Nigerian Broadcasting Commission later banned the song.
In 2007, Owoh was detained in Amsterdam, Netherlands, following a seven-month investigation by the Dutch police known as “Operation Apollo”. Owoh was detained during a musical performance when police raided the gathering and arrested 111 persons on suspicion of lottery fraud and visa issues. Owoh was eventually released.
In November 2009, Owoh was abducted in eastern Nigeria. His kidnappers wanted a 15-million-naira ransom. Owoh was released after his family allegedly paid a ransom of 1.4 million naira.
Awards and Endorsements
In 2008, he won the prestigious Africa Movie Academy Award (AMAA) for “Best Actor in a Leading Role” for his amazing performance in the Nigerian film Stronger Than Pain.
In 2017, he received the renowned Africa Movie Academy Award (AMAA) Lifetime Achievement Award during the ceremony’s 13th edition.
MTN collaborated with Owoh in 2012, signing him to a multimillion-naira sponsorship contract that has been frequently renewed.
Filmography
Year
Film
Role
1987
Things Fall Apart
Towncrier
1993
Circle of Doom 2
1995
Frame Up
Rattlesnake
Odinaka
1997
Blood Vapour
Lambert
Pam Pam: From the Adventure of Lokko and Mambo
1998
Yogo Pam Pam
1999
Big Man…Big Trouble
Crisis
Sawam
Conspiracy
2001
The Eliminators
Ode-eshi
Ekpechi
Onye-Eze
Onye-Eze
Ukwa[16]
Ukwa
2002
Fake Doctor
Dr. Zebedi
Ifeonye Metalu
Obioma
Long John
Long John
Police Officer
Sergeant Lucas
Spanner: The Humble Servant
Jacob
Stupid!
Kolo
2003
Anunuebe
Anunuebe
Calculator: The Only Wise Man
Nobert
Deceivers
Parlez Vous
King of the Forest
Utobo
Lion Finger
Ebube
Mr. Trouble
Nsogbu
Osuofia in London
Osuofia
Police Recruit
2004
America Visa
Titus
My Driver
My Own Share
Ezeani
Osuofia in London 2
Osuofia
Spanner Goes to Jail
Jacob
Spanner in Battle of Supremacy
Jacob
The Master
Osuofia
2005
Akanchawa
Anayo
Bus Driver
Jimmy
The Prince
Nwadike
2006
The Barrister
Athanasius
Big Man Brother
Bona
Captain
Nsofor/Captain
De Prof
Bona
A Fool at 40
Hygenius
Foreign Base
Ifeatu
Indemnity
Egbentu
Made in Cambridge
Professor Ifeatu Izwe
My Kingdom Come
The Dreamer
Ikpeazu
2007
Battle of Indemnity
Egbentu
Covenant Keeping God
Samuel
Fire in the Word
Ijiji
He Nanny
Johnbull & Rosekate
Johnbull
Persecution
Ijiji
Stronger Than Pain
Ulonna
Yellow Fever
Sergeant Anwuru
2008
Onye oma CY
CY
His Holiness
Onyabo
His Last Action
Rev. Czar
Osuofia and the Wise Men
Osuofia
Wonderful Man
2009
Agaba
Agaba
Osuofia Papa Africa
Osuofia
2010
FIFA Agent
My Inlaw
Mazi Joe
Enemies of Progress
True Story (Be Careful What You Wish For)
Papi
2011
Ijele’s Wife
Ogbensiegbe
Old Fools
Aka
Senior Servant
Aka
Taxi Driver
Okonkwo
Wisdom of Thomas
Thomas
2012
The Abductor
Boy George
Holy Life
Hot Brother
Military Zone
Royal Transition
2013
Oga on Top
Osuofia
Osuofia’s Wedding
Osuofia
Return of Ukpaka
Sherikoko Reloaded
Ukpaka the Trouble Maker
2014
Bomboy
My Property
Osuofia the Boxer
Wait and Take
2015
Ekwueme
Ghana Must Go
Show Bobo
Sister Gabriela
2016
My American Husband
2018
Lionheart
Chief Godswill Obiagu
2019
Kpali
Mr. Kalayor
2020
Small Chops
Smart
2021
My Village People
Prof. Pium
2022
Battle on Buka Street
Maduka
Chief Daddy 2: Going for Broke
Shoffa Donatus
In Another Life
Dominic Igho
Foreigner’s God
Onwubiko
Obara’M
Humphrey
2023
The Bride Price
Professor
Zarz End
2024
Uno: The F in Family
Uzuakpundu
2024
Dead Serious
Mr. Kalu
unknown
Enemy of Peace
Emeta
Enemy of the Kingdom
Emeta
Iron Lady
Mbakwe the Tailor
Mbakwe
Mr. Osuofia
Aguiyi
White Child
Discography
Albums
Osuofia in London (2003)
The Master (2005)
Obara’m (Original Motion Picture Soundtrack) (2023)
Singles
“I Go Chop Your Dollar” (2005)
“Agreement” (2005)
“My People” (2023)
Nkem Owoh wife
Nkem Owoh married Ngozi Owoh in 1998 and has two daughters together. Nkem Owoh has kept his personal and family concerns reasonably discreet, but fate had other plans for them.
In June 2023, the unexpected happened: one of Nkem Owoh’s daughters died from liver cancer. It was a painful period for the family. She was buried shortly after her death.
Nkem Owoh Net Worth
Nkem Owoh’s net worth is estimated to be around $3 million USD by 2025, based on industry estimates and reliable sources. The majority of this wealth is derived from acting, endorsements, brand ambassadorships, and royalties from films that are still selling today.
Social Media
Instagram: @osuofia_nkemowoh
