In recent years, a growing number of Nollywood actors have extended their storytelling beyond film sets and cinema screens to the printed page, publishing books that range from memoirs and inspirational guides to fiction and children’s literature.
The shift reflects a broader trend within Nigeria’s entertainment industry, where screen personalities are increasingly leveraging their public platforms to document personal journeys, address social issues, and shape conversations in more permanent form.
The latest to join that list is Mercy Johnson Okojie, whose newly released book marks her formal entry into publishing. Known for her prolific acting career and strong fan base, Johnson’s move underscores how established Nollywood figures are using literature to expand their influence and redefine their legacies.
Here is a look at Mercy Johnson and nine other Nollywood actors who have published books, including what they wrote, when the works were released, and why they stand out.
1. Mercy Johnson Okojie
One of Nollywood’s most recognisable faces, Mercy Johnson Okojie built her career on emotionally charged roles and commercial box-office successes. With dozens of film credits and multiple awards to her name, she has remained a dominant presence in Nigeria’s movie industry for over a decade.
On February 26, 2026, Johnson who was recently appointed Special Adviser on Public Engagement and Advocacy by the Edo State Government, formally entered the publishing space with the release of her debut book.
The book, titled YOU-berty is a children-focused guide addressing puberty and early adolescence. Designed for readers between the ages of 10 and 13, the book falls within the educational and youth non-fiction category. By focusing on puberty education — a subject often treated with cultural sensitivity in Nigeria, the mother of four expands her influence into advocacy and child development discourse.
2. Omoni Oboli
Veteran actress and filmmaker Omoni Oboli released her debut memoir, The Stars Are Ageless: Finding My Light in Life, in Love and on Set, in April 2018 to coincide with her 40th birthday. The book blends personal reflection with storytelling drawn from Oboli’s life journey, covering themes such as love, career highs and lows, faith, and experiences on and off set. The memoir offers readers an intimate view of the forces that shaped her as both a person and an artist.
3. Juliana Olayode
Juliana Olayode, known for her role as Toyo Baby in Jenifa’s Diary, published her autobiography Rebirth: From Grass to Grace in 2017. The memoir candidly recounts her journey from childhood struggles like hawking on the streets to stardom. It covers sensitive topics including sexual abuse by neighbours, her parents’ divorce, and her struggles with poverty and failed auditions. The book also details her journey as a “sexual purity advocate” and her faith-based transformation.
Olayode’s work serves as an inspirational narrative of resilience and perseverance, providing insight into the experiences that shaped her life and career.
4. Damilare Kuku
Damilare Kuku has distinguished herself as a Nollywood actor and literary voice with multiple published works. Her debut, Nearly All the Men in Lagos Are Mad (2021), is a collection of fiction short stories exploring relationships and social dynamics in Lagos. She followed this with Only Big Bumbum Matters Tomorrow (2024), a humorous novel addressing beauty standards and societal pressures, and Women Rent Men and Secrets Here (2025), which explores transactional relationships and the complexities of truth in modern Nigerian society. Kuku’s work showcases her range as both an actress and a storyteller beyond the screen.
5. Bolanle Ninalowo
Actor Bolanle Ninalowo released his motivational autobiography Shame to Fame in 2020, chronicling his journey from early struggles to success in Nollywood. The book details personal setbacks, triumphs, and lessons learned, offering readers a glimpse into the resilience required to succeed in the entertainment industry. Notably, former President Olusegun Obasanjo publicly endorsed the book, highlighting its broader social significance.
6. Juliet Ibrahim
Award-winning Ghanaian-Nollywood actress Juliet Ibrahim published her memoir A Toast to Life in 2019. The autobiography recounts her harrowing experiences as a child refugee, surviving three civil wars across Liberia, Lebanon, and Ivory Coast. The memoir delves into deeply personal battles, including domestic violence, sexual abuse, and the complexities of navigating the African film industry as a multicultural woman. It traces her determined climb to stardom in both Ghollywood and Nollywood, while ultimately serving as a stirring call to resilience. It urges women to draw strength from their scars and raise a toast to their survival.
The book’s launch was a landmark moment in the entertainment industry, drawing notable figures such as Chika Ike and Bolanle Ninalowo.
7. Chika Ike
Chika Ike released her first book, Boss Up, in 2018. Rather than a conventional autobiography, the book unfolds as a motivational playbook, comprising 41 concise chapters aimed at helping readers navigate challenges in business, relationships, and self-worth. She offers candid reflections on deeply personal experiences, including feelings of rejection, being described as an “unwanted child” at birth, and the painful lessons from a widely publicized marriage marked by domestic violence. Beyond the spotlight, she details her evolution from screen star to accomplished real estate investor and entrepreneur, revealing the grit and strategy behind her polished image.
Harvard Business School officially recognized Ike’s authorship, reflecting the book’s impact beyond Nigeria.
8. Jim Iyke
Veteran actor Jim Iyke launched the first volume of his book series, The Gift in the Odds: Walking Through Walls. Released on February 1, 2022, the book marks the first installment in a projected 15-part series, a vision its author, Jim Iyke, has publicly shared. He began writing it in 2020 while in seclusion in France with his son during the pandemic, explaining in an interview with ThisDay Live that he was ready to present the “unabridged Jim” rather than allow the media to define his narrative.
The memoir follows his evolution from what he describes as a “pre-teen misfit” to a thriving actor and entrepreneur, underscoring resilience, discipline, and persistence. It also confronts more vulnerable subjects, including grief, depression, and anxiety. At its core is his conviction that, in the pursuit of extraordinary goals, support often emerges from unexpected strangers rather than familiar circles.
9. Toke Makinwa
Media personality and actress Toke Makinwa released her memoir On Becoming in 2016. The book provides a candid account of her life, starting with the traumatic loss of both parents in a house fire when she was eight years old. It extensively details her tumultuous 14-year relationship and brief, 18-month marriage to Maje Ayida, addressing themes of betrayal, infidelity, and her journey toward healing and faith. The memoir sparked significant public conversation in Nigeria regarding societal expectations of women in marriage and the courage required to share personal “scandals”.
10. Kate Henshaw
Veteran actress Kate Henshaw marked her 20-year Nollywood anniversary with the release of her autobiography The World of an Actress: My Story in 2013. It covers her childhood in Cross River State, her background in medical microbiology, and her accidental entry into Nollywood through the 1993 film When the Sun Sets.
Launch proceeds were partly dedicated to charitable causes, underscoring Henshaw’s commitment to giving back while offering readers an inside look at her life on and off screen.
Conclusion
From Mercy Johnson’s debut children’s guide to Toke Makinwa’s introspective memoir, these Nollywood actors demonstrate how storytelling extends beyond the camera lens. Their books not only document personal journeys but also engage readers with insights into resilience, creativity, and the evolving influence of African entertainers.
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