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Redhot Concepts Celebrating Omotola’s 30-Year Legacy

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30 Years Legacy

Delve into the extraordinary journey of Omotola Jalade Ekeinde , a cinematic icon and cultural trailblazer whose influence spans decades of African and global storytelling.

She has not only redefined the landscape of African cinema but has also used her platform to effect positive change in communities across the globe.

Born in Nigeria and now residing in Los Angeles, California, Omotola Jalade-Ekeinde remains one of Africa’s most globally recognized cultural exports.

Career Milestones: The Iconic Timeline

  1. The Breakthrough: Stars in the critically acclaimed Mortal Inheritance. Wins Best Actress Overall at THEMA 1997.


  2. The Dominance: Cemented as a major force with blockbuster hits like Blood Sisters.


  3. The Humanitarian Pivot: Becomes WFP Goodwill Ambassador and launches debut album GBA.


  4. The Global Film: Co-stars in Ije: The Journey, the highest-grossing Nollywood film at the time.


  5. Reality TV Pioneer: Launches Nigeria’s first reality show, Omotola: The Real Me.


  6. TIME 100 Global Icon: First Nigerian actress named among TIME Magazine’s 100 Most Influential People.


  7. National Honor: Conferred with Member of the Order of the Federal Republic (MFR) by the Nigerian government.


  8. The Cinematic Resurgence: Wins AMVCA Best Actress for Alter Ego.


  9. The Oscars Invitation: Invited to join the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences.


  10. The Entrepreneur: Founds TEFFEST, empowering the African creative economy.


  11. Three Decades of Impact: Celebrates 30 years in entertainment and leads Nollywood’s global integration via Redhot Concepts.

Popularly known as Omo Sexy, Omotola Jalade-Ekeinde has long been admired as one of the most iconic, curvaceous, and captivating actresses in the industry. Her screen presence and emotional depth have earned her critical acclaim and numerous award nominations across Nollywood’s most defining films. Performances in landmark titles such as Ties That Bind, Alter Ego, and Mortal Inheritance secured her multiple honors including Actress of the Year, Best Actress, and Best Actress Overall. Across her career, she has accumulated an extraordinary body of recognitions for both performance excellence and cultural influence. Beyond cinema, Omotola’s impact extends into humanitarian work through the Omotola Youth Empowerment Project (OYEP). One of its most poignant initiatives is the 20 Widows Makeover, created in honor of her late mother, who lived as a widow for a decade. The initiative received national recognition with a nomination for Best Charity/Cause Connected Event at the Nigerian Event Awards in 2012—cementing OYEP as both a social and cultural force. Today, Omotola stands as a United Nations World Food Programme Ambassador, an advocate for the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), and an active Amnesty International campaigner—bridging art, activism, and global responsibility.

Visual Archive

Moments That Define an Era

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A Legacy of First
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Career Archive
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Global Impact: The Queen of Nollywood

Omotola's career extends far beyond acting; she is a global brand ambassador and a voice for human rights and youth empowerment.

United Nations World Food Programme

Serving as a Goodwill Ambassador since 2005, she has undertaken missions to Sierra Leone and Liberia to raise awareness for hunger and maternal health.

OYEP (Omotola Youth Empowerment Programme)

Founded to empower youth through skill acquisition, conventions, and social advocacy.

Amnesty International

Active involvement in campaigns advocating for human dignity, gender equality, and corporate accountability in the Niger Delta.

SVAFF Recognition

Nigerian screen icon Omotola Jalade Ekeinde has received an official Certificate of Recognition from the California State Assembly, presented at the 16th Annual Silicon Valley African Film Festival (SVAFF) on October 12, 2025

Global Impact
Humanitarian Work
Youth Empowerment

A Legacy Etched in Time

She arrived quietly.

Then changed everything.

Omotola Jalade-Ekeinde > Cultural Icon and Global Force

For over three decades, Omotola Jalade-Ekeinde has stood as one of Africa’s most powerful cultural forces—an icon whose influence transcends cinema and reshapes global perception of African storytelling.

A pioneer of Nollywood’s golden evolution, she carried African narratives beyond borders, redefining what it means to be a global artist from the continent.

An actress of extraordinary emotional range, Omotola is also a film director, singer, motivational speaker, humanitarian, and cultural architect—leaving an indelible mark on the world’s entertainment landscape.

Origins & Formation

Born on February 7, 1978, in Lagos State, Omotola was raised in a disciplined, values-driven household by Oluwatoyin Jalade and Oluwashola Jalade.

Her academic path—from Chrisland School to Yaba College of Technology—initially pointed toward business leadership, before destiny redirected her toward the arts.

The Rise of a Cultural Powerhouse

Her breakout performance in Mortal Inheritance announced the arrival of a generational talent—one that would redefine Nollywood and reshape African storytelling forever.

  • Over 300 film appearances
  • First African actor with a reality series
  • Doctorate in Arts (2019)
  • TIME 100 honoree
  • Oscars voting member

Honors, Recognition & Global Impact

In 2014, Omotola was awarded the Member of the Order of the Federal Republic (MFR) , one of Nigeria’s highest national honors.

Internationally crowned “The Queen of Nollywood,” her work reshaped African representation and elevated Nollywood onto the global cinematic stage.

Her legacy continues to inspire generations of filmmakers, creatives, and cultural leaders across Africa and the diaspora.

National Honor Award
The Production Philosophy

African Heart.
Global Standard.

30 Years of Omotola

Awards & Nominations

Career recognitions, wins, and nominations

Year Award Category Work / Recipient Result
1997 The Movie Awards (THEMA) Best Actress (English) Mortal Inheritance Won
1997 The Movie Awards (THEMA) Best Actress (Overall) Mortal Inheritance Won
2004 City People Awards for Excellence Best Actress Herself Won
2004 Global Excellence Recognition Awards Best Actress & Grand Achiever Herself Won
2004 CEON Best Individual & Symbol of Creativity Herself Won
2004 NUSEC Awards Best Actress Herself Won
2005 Africa Movie Academy Awards (AMAA) Best Supporting Actress Herself Won
2006 Youths Benefactor’s Award Most Friendly Actress Herself Won
2009 Best of Nollywood Awards Best Actress (Yoruba) Herself Nominated
2009 Nigeria Entertainment Awards Best Actress Herself Nominated
2010 Nigeria Entertainment Awards Best Actress Film / Short Story Deepest of Dreams Nominated
2010 Ghana Movie Awards Best Actress – Africa Collaboration A Private Storm Nominated
2011 8th Africa Movie Academy Awards Best Supporting Actress Ties That Bind Nominated
2011 Ghana Movie Awards Best Actress – Africa Collaboration Ties That Bind Won
2011 Best of Nollywood Awards Best Actress – Leading Role A Private Storm Nominated
2011 Nigeria Entertainment Award Best Actress – Film/Short Story Ije Nominated
2012 Eloy Awards Actress of the Year Ties That Bind Won
2012 Screen Nation Awards Pan African Best Actress Herself Won
2012 Black Entertainment Film Fashion Television and Arts Awards (BEFFTA) Film Actress Icon Herself Won
2012 2012 Golden Icons Academy Movie Awards GIAMA Humanitarian Award Omotola Youth Empowerment Foundation Won
2012 2012 Golden Icons Academy Movie Awards Viewers Choice -Female Herself Nominated
2012 2012 Nigeria Entertainment Awards Best Actress in A Film Ties That Bind Nominated
2012 2012 Nollywood Movies Awards Best Actress in a Leading Role A Private Storm Nominated
2013 Nollywood Movies Awards Popular Online Choice Herself Won
2013 Music Video and Screen Awards (MVISA) Ebony Vanguard Award Herself Won
2013 Nigeria Entertainment Awards Best Lead Actress in a Film Last Flight to Abuja Nominated
2014 MTV Africa Music Awards Personality of the Year Herself Nominated
2016 City People Social Media Awards Female Entertainment Personality Herself Won
2017 Nollywood Travel Film Festival Best Actress Alter Ego Won
2017 Toronto International Nollywood Film Festival Best Actress Alter exporting Won
2017 Best of Nollywood Awards Lifetime Achievement Award Herself Won
2017 Best of Nollywood Awards Best Kiss in a Movie Herself & Kunle Remmy Nominated
2017 City People Movie Awards Best Actress Leading Role (English) Alter Ego Nominated
2018 Africa Magic Viewer's Choice Awards (AMVCA) Best Actress in a Movie / TV Series Alter Ego Won

Beyond the Screen

Through OYEP, TEFFEST, humanitarian advocacy, and global leadership, Omotola Jalade-Ekeinde stands not merely as an actress—but as a bridge between art, activism, and responsibility.

Her legacy is not just remembered.
It is still unfolding.

The Vision Endures

A legacy built not on moments
but on meaning.

For over three decades, Omotola Jalade-Ekeinde has shaped culture, elevated African storytelling, and proven that influence is earned through purpose. This is not the end of a journey, it is the foundation of everything still to come.