Ini Edo

Iniobong Edo Ekim (born 23 April 1982) is a Nigerian actress. Ini Edo began her acting career in 2000, In 2013, Ini Edo was a judge for the Miss Black Africa UK Pageant and De9jaSpirit Talent Hunt. In 2014, she 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".

In 2017, she stated that only hard work and dedication can get one to the top in the Nollywood industry, as there are many distractions.

In 2021, she created a luxury fashion and cosmetic brand called Secrets Of April, which offers High Fashion Apparel, beauty products and accessories.

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 was one of the stars in the third season of Africa's first reality tv series on Netflix: "Young, Famous & African". The show has recently topped the chart at #5 in Tv shows as of 4 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. In 2016, she stated that her being stuck in traffic, and consequently late for mass, spared her from being involved in the Uyo Church collapse, which killed many inside. Ini Edo had her first child, a girl through surrogacy, in 2021.

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

Filmography

2003 Thick Madam

World Apart Ulinma With Kenneth Okonkwo, Liz Benson and Hilda Dokubo Eye of the Gods With Olu Jacobs, Stephanie Linus, Muna Obiekwe Beautiful Faces With Stephanie Linus

Ultimate Crisis With Rita Dominic and Olu Jacobs The Begotten With Rita Dominic Only Love Udoka With Rita Dominic and Olu Jacobs Last Game With Rita Dominic Desperate Billionaire Naomi With Rita Dominic and Kanayo O. Kanayo Lonely Hearts With Stephanie Linus

Girls Cot Eve With Genevieve Nnaji, Rita Dominic, Uche Jombo Secret Fantasy With Uche Jombo Price of Fame Stephanie With Uche Jombo and Mike Ezuruonye Married to the Enemy with Mercy Johnson, Desmond Elliot Games Men Play with Chioma Chukwuka, Jimy Ike, Kate Henshaw-Nuttal, Dakore Akande, Kalu Ikeagwu, Chinedu Ikedze Political Control Ass on Fire Breathe Again Pat

Sleek Ladies Cindy With Rita Dominic Most Wanted Bachelor Brenda With Uche Jombo and Mike Ezuruonye Ghetto Queen With Funke Akindele Power of Beauty Vera

Love Games With Uche Jombo and Jackie Appiah Reloaded (2009 film) Tayo With Ramsey Nouah, Stephanie Linus, Rita Dominic, Nse Ike Eptim and Desmond Elliot Live To Remember With Mercy Johnson Native Son

White Hunters Tabita With Mercy Johnson, Funke Akindele, and Halimar Abubakar Return of White Hunters With Mercy Johnson, Funke Akindele, and Halimar Abubakar Mad Sex Amara With Uche Jombo, Johnpaul Nwadike, and Amaechi Muonagor 2011 I'll Take My Chances Idara With Bryan Okwara, Sam Loco Efe and Jide Kosoko 2014 Caro The Iron Bender Caro Royal Gift''' Blind Kingdom'|

Beyond Disability|Adesua Directed by Desmond Elliot Knocking on Heaven's Door Brenda With Adesua Etomi, Majid Michel, Blossom Chukwujekwu 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

Blood is Money