# Nkem Owoh

Nkem Owoh listen (born 7 February 1955) is a Nigerian actor, comedian and singer. In 2008, he won the Africa Movie Academy Award for "Best Actor in a Leading Role" for his role in the Nigerian film, Stronger than Pain.

## Early life and education

Nkem Owoh was born in Enugu State, Nigeria. After completing his primary and secondary education in Nsukka, he went on to study engineering at the Federal University of Agriculture, Abeokuta. During his university studies, Owoh began acting in various television and film productions.

## Career

Owoh developed a strong interest in performing arts from an early age, which persisted through primary, secondary, and university education. Although he studied engineering, his heart belonged to creative expression through acting, writing, and singing. After completing his national youth service, he joined WACO Engineering but was laid off after just one year. However, this incident turned out to be a blessing in disguise, as it paved the way for him to explore opportunities in radio and television production.
In 1979, he embarked on his journey in the entertainment industry, starting as a writer at Nigerian Television Authority (NTA). He further established his writing credentials by penning scripts for notable productions, such as: The New Masquerade and Basi and Company (a sitcom created by Ken Saro-Wiwa). He also once filled in for an absent actor, playing the role of a drunkard in the groundbreaking sitcom The New Masquerade. This unexpected opportunity launched his successful career.
However, Owoh ventured into the movie scene when he was contracted to handle the subtitling for the Igbo language movie Living in Bondage upon its completion. Following the success of Living in Bondage, acting opportunities began to flood in. A year later, he landed his next significant role as a customs officer in the Igbo language movie Circle of Doom. His good performance announced his arrival on the scene, captivating producers who not only sought him for his acting talent but also valued his scriptwriting skills. Following Circle of Doom, he landed his third film role in Taboo which he was also among the scriptwriters.
In 1995, Owoh wrote and produced the iconic film Ikuku, where he portrayed the unforgettable character, Osuofia (a drunk). His portrayal of Osuofia in the movie earned him widespread recognition, transforming him into a beloved household name. In 1997, he produced Ikuku 2 a sequel to the first movie, where he reprised his role as a drunkard. He also produced Pampam the same year, teaming up with Okey Bakassi.
The character Osuofia was once again brought to life by Nkem Owoh in Osuofia in London (2003) and its sequel Osuofia in London 2 (2004), produced by Kingsley Ogoro. His appearance in this movie earned him international recognition and also his nickname. This breakthrough paved the way for a lasting career, with continuous screen appearances from then on.
Owoh is also known for performing the song "I Go Chop Your Dollar" about advance fee fraud. The song was featured in the film The Master in which Owoh plays the role of a scammer. The Nigerian Broadcasting Commission later banned the song. In 2007, Owoh was arrested in Amsterdam, Netherlands as a result of a seven-month investigation by the Dutch police dubbed "Operation Apollo". Owoh was arrested while performing a musical show when the police raided the event and arrested 111 people on suspicion of lottery fraud and immigration violations. Owoh was later released.
In November 2009, Owoh was kidnapped in eastern Nigeria. His kidnappers demanded a 15 million naira ransom. Owoh was released after his family members allegedly paid a ransom fee of 1.4 million naira.

## Personal life

Owoh and his wife, Ngozi Nkem Owoh, have been married since 1998. She hails from Amagu Village, Udi Town, Enugu State Nigeria. Owoh prefers to keep the identity of his children away from the public. He has two daughters. He lost one of his two daughters in June 2023.

## Awards and endorsements

In 2008, he received the prestigious Africa Movie Academy Award (AMAA) for "Best Actor in a Leading Role" for his outstanding performance in the Nigerian film Stronger than Pain.
In 2017, he was honored with the prestigious Africa Movie Academy Award (AMAA) Lifetime Achievement Award at the 13th edition of the ceremony.
MTN partnered with Owoh in 2012, signing him to a multimillion-naira endorsement deal that has been repeatedly renewed.

## Filmography

| Year | Film | Role | Notes |
| 1987 | Things Fall Apart | Towncrier | with Pete Edochie |
| 1993 | Circle of Doom 2 | | with Kanayo O. Kanayo |
| 1995 | Frame Up | | writer and director only; with Tobechukwu Anadi and Ngozi Nwaneto |
| 1995 | Rattlesnake | Odinaka | with Francis Duru |
| 1997 | Blood Vapour | Lambert | with Hilda Dokubo |
| 1997 | Pam Pam: From the Adventure of Lokko and Mambo | | with Charley Boy Oputa and Jide Kosoko |
| 1998 | Yogo Pam Pam | | sequel to Pam Pam; with Okey Mac Anthony |
| 1999 | Big Man...Big Trouble | | |
| 1999 | Crisis | | with Sandra Achums |
| 1999 | Sawam | | with Francis Agu |
| 1999 | Conspiracy | | with Onyeka Onwenu |
| 2001 | The Eliminators | | with Clem Ohameze |
| 2001 | Ode-eshi | Ekpechi | with Sam Loco Efe |
| 2001 | Onye-Eze | Onye-Eze | |
| 2001 | Ukwa | Ukwa | with Patience Ozokwor and Amaechi Muonagor |
| 2002 | Fake Doctor | Dr. Zebedi | |
| 2002 | Ifeonye Metalu | Obioma | |
| 2002 | Long John | Long John | with Sam Loco Efe |
| 2002 | Police Officer | Sergeant Lucas | |
| 2002 | Spanner: The Humble Servant | Jacob | with Chinedu Ikedieze |
| 2002 | Stupid! | Kolo | with Okey Bakassi and Jide Kosoko |
| 2003 | Anunuebe | Anunuebe | |
| 2003 | Calculator: The Only Wise Man | Nobert | with Fabian Adibe |
| 2003 | Deceivers | Parlez Vous | With John Okafor, Charles Inojie, Uche Ogbodo |
| 2003 | King of the Forest | Utobo | |
| 2003 | Lion Finger | Ebube | |
| 2003 | Mr. Trouble | Nsogbu | with Patience Ozokwor |
| 2003 | Osuofia in London | Osuofia | |
| 2003 | Police Recruit | | |
| 2004 | America Visa | Titus | |
| 2004 | My Driver | | |
| 2004 | My Own Share | Ezeani | |
| 2004 | Osuofia in London 2 | Osuofia | |
| 2004 | Spanner Goes to Jail | Jacob | with Chinedu Ikedieze |
| 2004 | Spanner in Battle of Supremacy | Jacob | with Chinedu Ikedieze |
| 2004 | The Master | Osuofia | with Kanayo O. Kanayo |
| 2005 | Akanchawa | Anayo | |
| 2005 | Bus Driver | Jimmy | with Dakore Egbuson |
| 2005 | The Prince | Nwadike | |
| 2006 | The Barrister | Athanasius | with Ekwi Onwudiwe |
| 2006 | Big Man Brother | Bona | with Clem Ohameze; parts 3-4 of De Prof |
| 2006 | Captain | Nsofor/Captain | |
| 2006 | De Prof | Bona | with Clem Ohameze; followed by Big Man Brother |
| 2006 | A Fool at 40 | Hygenius | |
| 2006 | Foreign Base | Ifeatu | |
| 2006 | Indemnity | Egbentu | |
| 2006 | Made in Cambridge | Professor Ifeatu Izwe | with Funmi Holder |
| 2006 | My Kingdom Come | | |
| 2006 | The Dreamer | Ikpeazu | |
| 2007 | Battle of Indemnity | Egbentu | |
| 2007 | Covenant Keeping God | Samuel | |
| 2007 | Fire in the Word | Ijiji | |
| 2007 | He Nanny | | with Andy Chukwu |
| 2007 | Johnbull & Rosekate | Johnbull | |
| 2007 | Persecution | Ijiji | |
| 2007 | Stronger Than Pain | Ulonna | with Kate Henshaw-Nuttal Owoh's performance in this film earned him the Best Actor in a Leading Role award at the Africa Movie Academy Awards in 2008 |
| 2007 | Yellow Fever | Sergeant Anwuru | with Charles Awurum |
| 2008 | Onye oma CY | CY | with Pamela Mrekpe |
| 2008 | His Holiness | Onyabo | |
| 2008 | His Last Action | Rev. Czar | |
| 2008 | Osuofia and the Wise Men | Osuofia | with Sam Loco Efe |
| 2008 | Wonderful Man | | |
| 2009 | Agaba | Agaba | with Victor Osuagwu |
| 2009 | Osuofia Papa Africa | Osuofia | with Nkiru Sylvanus |
| 2010 | FIFA Agent | | with Charles Awurum |
| 2010 | My Inlaw | Mazi Joe | with Clem Ohameze |
| 2010 | Enemies of Progress | | with Amaechi Muonagor, Judith Iwu |
| 2010 | True Story (Be Careful What You Wish For) | Papi | with Ini Edo |
| 2011 | Ijele's Wife | Ogbensiegbe | with Tonto Dikeh |
| 2011 | Old Fools | Aka | with Sam Loco Efe; parts 3-4 of Senior Servant |
| 2011 | Senior Servant | Aka | with Sam Loco Efe; followed by Old Fools |
| 2011 | Taxi Driver | Okonkwo | with Uche Ogbodo |
| 2011 | Wisdom of Thomas | Thomas | with Funke Akindele |
| 2012 | The Abductor | | sequel to Boy George; with Mercy Johnson |
| 2012 | Boy George | | followed by The Abductor; with Mercy Johnson |
| 2012 | Holy Life | | with Ella Njubuigbo, Rachael Okonkwo, and Uche Odoputa |
| 2012 | Hot Brother | | sequel to Holy Life; with Ella Njubuigbo, Rachael Okonkwo, and Uche Odoputa |
| 2012 | Military Zone | | |
| 2012 | Royal Transition | | sequel to Exit of the King; with Olu Jacobs, Nuella Njubigbo, Clem Ohameze; produced by Obi Cajetan; directed by Ugezu J. Ugezu |
| 2013 | Oga on Top | Osuofia | sequel to Osuofia's Wedding; with Funke Akindele |
| 2013 | Osuofia's Wedding | Osuofia | with Funke Akindele |
| 2013 | Return of Ukpaka | | with Funke Akindele, Amaechi Muonagor, and Charles Inojie; produced by Mishack Chiemelie Nwonu; directed by Amayo Uzo Philips. |
| 2013 | Sherikoko Reloaded | | with Funke Akindele and John Okafor |
| 2013 | Ukpaka the Trouble Maker | | with Funke Akindele, Amaechi Muonagor, and Charles Inojie; produced by Mishack Chiemelie Nwonu; directed by Amayo Uzo Philips. |
| 2014 | Bomboy | | with Osita Iheme and Uzoh Umeh |
| 2014 | My Property | | with Chigozie Atuanya; directed by Tchidi Chikere |
| 2014 | Osuofia the Boxer | | sequel to Bomboy; with Osita Iheme and Uzoh Umeh |
| 2014 | Wait and Take | | with Chigozie Atuanya; directed by Tchidi Chikere |
| 2015 | Ekwueme | | with Ken Erics |
| 2015 | Ghana Must Go | | |
| 2015 | Show Bobo | | with Amaechi Muonagor |
| 2015 | Sister Gabriela | | with Queen Nwokoye |
| 2016 | My American Husband | | with Chiwetalu Agu |
| 2018 | Lionheart | Chief Godswill Obiagu | with Genevieve Nnaji |
| 2019 | Kpali | Mr. Kalayor | with Gloria Young and Ini Dima-Okojie |
| 2020 | Small Chops | Smart | Directed by Robert Peters |
| 2021 | My Village People | Prof. Pium | with Bovi and Amaechi Muonagor |
| 2022 | Battle on Buka Street | Maduka | with Funke Akindele, Bimbo Ademoye |
| | Chief Daddy 2: Going for Broke | Shoffa Donatus | with Uzor Arukwe, Funke Akindele |
| | In Another Life | Dominic Igho | With Meg Otanwa, Clarion Chukwura-Abiola |
| | Foreigner's God | Onwubiko | With Nancy Isime, Ini Dima Okojie, Pete Edochie |
| | Obara'M | Humphrey | With Ibrahim Amodu, Ikekhua Anthonia |
| 2023 | The Bride Price | Professor | With Funny Bone, Adebayo Davies |
| | Zarz End | | With Chioma Chukwuka Akpotha, Emeka Amakeze, Ejike Asiegbu |
| 2024 | Uno: The F in Family | Uzuakpundu | Directed by Ebuka Njoku |
| 2024 | Dead Serious | Mr. Kalu | Directed by Moses Inwang |
| unknown | Enemy of Peace | Emeta | with Olu Jacobs and Clem Ohameze |
| unknown | Enemy of the Kingdom | Emeta | sequel to Enemy of Peace; with Olu Jacobs and Clem Ohameze |
| unknown | Iron Lady | | with Joy Ladi Torty |
| unknown | Mbakwe the Tailor | Mbakwe | |
| unknown | Mr. Osuofia | Aguiyi | with Dave Ihesie |
| unknown | White Child | | With Frank Artus and Nuella Njubigbo |

## 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)