# Ini Edo

Iniobong Edo Ekim (listen) (born 23 April 1982) is a veteran Nigerian actress from Akwa Ibom State. Ini Edo began her film career in 2000, and has featured in more than 200 movies since her debut. In 2013, Ini Edo was a judge for the Miss Black Africa UK Pageant and De9jaSpirit Talent Hunt. In 2014, Miss Ini Edo was appointed by the United Nations as a United Nations Habitat Youth Envoy.

## Early life and education

Ini Edo is an Ibibio from Akwa Ibom state located in the south-south part of Nigeria. Her mother was a school teacher, and her father was a church elder. Ini Edo had a strict upbringing, the second of four children, three girls, and one boy. She attended Cornelia Connely College in Uyo, Nigeria. She graduated from the University of Uyo where she got a Diploma in Theatre Arts. She also completed her bachelor's degree program at the University of Calabar where she studied English. In 2014, she got a scholarship to study law at the National Open University of Nigeria.

## Career

Her acting career started in 2000 with her debut in Thick Madam. Ini Edo was discovered by a producer at the audition she attended. Her breakthrough came in 2004 when she acted in World Apart. She has appeared in over 100 films. She earned a "Best Lead Actress" nomination at the 11th Africa Movie Academy Awards for her performance in the movie "While You Slept"
Ini Edo, however, in 2017, made it clear that only hardwork, delight and dedication can get one to the top in the Nollywood industry as there are many distractions. But she encouraged that with determination, one would get there.
In 2021, she debuted a luxury fashion and cosmetic brand called Secrets Of April, which offers High Fashion Apparel, beauty products and accessories for unique expressions, rich and famous.
She represents the National Democratic Institute (NDI), an NGO that works to improve the efficacy of democratic institutions, as an ambassador.
In 2023, Ini Edo produced ShantyTown, a 2023 Nigerian crime thriller released to Netflix on 20 January 2023.
Ini Edo is among the Judges at De9jaspirit Talent Hunt she has so far anchored the first, second and third seasons.
In 2025 Ini Edo is seen to be a major star in Africa's First and biggest reality tv series on Netflix: "Young, Famous & African". The African show has shown to recently top the chart at #5 in Tv shows as at 4th January 2025.

## Personal life

In 2008, Ini Edo married Philip Ehiagwina an American-based business man. The marriage ended in September 2014 after six years. Ini Edo had her first child, a girl through surrogacy in the year 2021

## Philanthropy

She is the founder of GEMS (Girls Empowerment Mentorship Scheme) AFRICA an NGO built to support young women in different fields providing mentorship, skills acquisition, and support. Through Gems Africa she has been able to touch the lives of over 10000 African girls across a broad spectrum of industries.

## Endorsement

* Ini Edo was Glo brand ambassador for ten years from 2006 to 2016.
* In 2010, she was named to be the brand ambassador of Noble Hair.
* Ini Edo is brand ambassador of Slim Tea Nigeria.
* In 2019, she was signed as an ambassador for the @MrTaxi_NG brand.
In 2023, she was signed as an ambassador for the Capital Luxury brand.

## Political appointment

Ini Edo was appointed as the Special Assistant to the Akwa Ibom State Governor on culture and tourism by Udom Gabriel Emmanuel in 2016.

## Awards and nominations

| Year | Event | Prize | Recipient | Result |
| 2009 | 2009 Best of Nollywood Awards | Best Actress Leading Role (Yoruba) | | Won |
| 2011 | Zulu African Film Academy Awards | Best Actress Indigenous | Edika Nigeria | Won |
| 2012 | 2012 Golden Icons Academy Movie Awards | Best Actress In Leading role | In a cupboard | Nominated |
| 2012 | 2012 Golden Icons Academy Movie Awards | Female Viewers Choice | Herself | Nominated |
| 2012 | 2012 Golden Icons Academy Movie Awards | Honorarium Appreciation Award | Herself | Won |
| 2013 | 2013 Golden Icons Academy Movie Awards | Female Viewers Choice | Herself | Won |
| 2013 | Cross River Movie Award | Best Act Female(English) | Behind The Melody | Won |
| 2013 | Nafca | Best supporting Actress | Weekend Getaway | Won |
| 2014 | 2014 Golden Icons Academy Movie Awards | Best Actress Leading Role | Nkasi The Village Fighter | Nominated |
| 2014 | 2014 Golden Icons Academy Movie Awards | Best Comedic act | Nkasi The Village Fighter | Nominated |
| 2014 | 2014 Golden Icons Academy Movie Awards | Best Actress-Viewers Choice | Nkasi The Village Fighter | Nominated |
| 2015 | 2015 Golden Icons Academy Movie Awards | Best Actress | While you slept | Nominated |
| 2015 | 2015 Golden Icons Academy Movie Awards | Female Viewers Choice | While you slept | Nominated |
| 2015 | 2015 Ghana Movie Awards | Best Actress - Africa Collaboration | While you slept | Won |
| 2015 | 11th Africa Movie Academy Awards | Best Actress Leading Role | While you slept | Nominated |
| 2016 | 2016 Africa Magic Viewers Choice Awards | Best Actress in a Comedy | Desperate housegirls | Nominated |
| 2016 | 2016 Nigeria Entertainment Awards | Best Actress - TV Series | Desperate housegirls | Nominated |
| 2018 | ZAFAA Global Awards | Best Actress | While you slept | Won |
| 2021 | Net Honours | Most Popular Actress | | Nominated |
| 2021 | Africa Movie Academy Awards | Best Actress in a Supporting Role | The Citation | Nominated |
| 2023 | 2023 Africa Magic Viewers Choice Awards | Best Actress in a Drama | Shanty Town | Nominated |

## Filmography

| Year | Film | Role | Notes |
| 2003 | Thick Madam | | |
| 2004 | World Apart | Ulinma | With Kenneth Okonkwo, Liz Benson and Hilda Dokubo |
| 2004 | Eye of the Gods | | With Olu Jacobs, Stephanie Linus, Muna Obiekwe |
| 2004 | Beautiful Faces | | With Stephanie Linus |
| 2005 | Ultimate Crisis | | With Rita Dominic and Olu Jacobs |
| 2005 | The Begotten | | With Rita Dominic |
| 2005 | Only Love | Udoka | With Rita Dominic and Olu Jacobs |
| 2005 | Last Game | | With Rita Dominic |
| 2005 | Desperate Billionaire | Naomi | With Rita Dominic and Kanayo O. Kanayo |
| 2005 | Lonely Hearts | | With Stephanie Linus |
| 2006 | Girls Cot | Eve | With Genevieve Nnaji, Rita Dominic, Uche Jombo |
| 2006 | Secret Fantasy | | With Uche Jombo |
| 2006 | Price of Fame | Stephanie | With Uche Jombo and Mike Ezuruonye |
| 2006 | Married to the Enemy | | with Mercy Johnson, Desmond Elliot |
| 2006 | Games Men Play | | with Chioma Chukwuka, Jimy Ike, Kate Henshaw-Nuttal, Dakore Akande, Kalu Ikeagwu, Chinedu Ikedze |
| 2007 | Sleek Ladies | Cindy | With Rita Dominic |
| 2007 | Most Wanted Bachelor | Brenda | With Uche Jombo and Mike Ezuruonye |
| 2009 | Love Games | | With Uche Jombo and Jackie Appiah |
| 2009 | Reloaded (2009 film) | Tayo | With Ramsey Nouah, Stephanie Linus, Rita Dominic, Nse Ike Eptim and Desmond Elliot |
| 2009 | Live To Remember | | With Mercy Johnson |
| 2010 | White Hunters | Tabita | With Mercy Johnson, Funke Akindele, and Halimar Abubakar |
| 2010 | Return of White Hunters | | With Mercy Johnson, Funke Akindele, and Halimar Abubakar |
| 2010 | Mad Sex | Amara | With Uche Jombo, Johnpaul Nwadike, and Amaechi Muonagor |
| 2014 | Caro The Iron Bender | Caro | |
| | Royal Gift' | | |
| | Blind Kingdom' | | |
| 2009 | Native Son | | |
| 2007 | Ghetto Queen | | With Funke Akindele |
| 2007 | Power of Beauty | Vera | |
| 2006 | Political Control | | |
| 2006 | Ass on Fire | | |
| 2006 | Breath Again | Pat | |
| 2014 | Beyond Disability | Adesua | Directed by Desmond Elliot |
| 2015 | Birthmark | Minna | With David Uzoma Aboy, Busola Ademolu |
| 2016 | Lipstick | Deborah | Directed by Lucky Stephen |
| 2017 | The Patient | Nurse | Featuring Seun Akindele and directed by Sobe Charles Umeh |
| 2018 | Heaven on My Mind | Ivie Peters | Directed by Uche Jombo |
| 2019 | Chief Daddy | Ekanem | Featuring Richard Mofe Damijo and directed by Niyi Akinmolayan |
| 2020 | Citation (film) | Gloria | |
| 2021 | The Ghost and the Tout Too | Inem | With Ayomide Abayode, Alexander Abolore |
| 2022 | Gbege | | With Jide Kosoko, Ebele Okaro, Sam Dede, Mercy Aigbe, Zubby Micheal, Sanni Muaizu, Charles Inojie, Harry B, Broda Shaggi, Nosa Rex, Junior Pope. |
| 2022 | The Man for the Job | Esohe | With Akintoba Adeoluwa, Rita Anwarah, Uzor Arukwe, Ali Baba |
| 2022 | Moving On | Amanda | With Mitchelle Agugbua, Chris Akwarandu, Onyii Alex, Victoria Bassey |
| 2023 | Shanty Town | Inem | With Chidi Mokeme, Nse Ikpe-Etim, Nancy Isime, Mercy Eke, Richard Mofe Damijo, and directed by Dimeji Ajibola. |
| 2023 | Rent a Room | Labake | With Jim Iyke, Uche Jombo, Evan King, Pere Egbi |
| 2023 | Onyeegwu | Eno | With Toyin Abraham, Lateef Adedimeji, Natacha Akide |
* 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"