Ufuoma Ejenobor

Ufuoma Stacey McDermott ( ; born 23 April 1981) is a Nigerian actress, director, former model and beauty pageant titleholder.

Early life Ejenobor was born in Benin City to Nigerian parents of Urhobo descent who hails from Delta State in Nigeria. She moved a lot – from Benin City to Jos, where she spent the better part of her toddler years, and later to Lagos, where she has lived for the greater part of her life and still resides till date. At the age of seven, her father coined a pet name for her: ISIO (which means "star" in Urhobo). She was so named after the star actress of the TELEFEST programme put together by NTA Benin, The Pot of Life.

Personal life Ejenobor got married on 23 April 2010 to Steven McDermott. She officially changed her name to Ufuoma McDermott on 23 May 2014 at a Lagos high court.

In an October 2024 interview with Chude Jideonwo, McDermott revealed a 12-year battle with Kidney disease before being diagnosed with stage 3 in 2023.

Education She went through Alama Private School Jos, Plateau state, Tunwase Nursery and primary school Ikeja, Lagos and finally Molly International Nursery and primary Ajao Estate for her nursery and primary education. She then attended Federal Government College, Odogbolu, Ogun State for her secondary education.

McDermott has a degree in French Language from the University of Lagos where she partook in a Federal Government scholarship holiday programme, as well as a master's degree in Public and International Affairs, also from the University of Lagos. She also has certificates and diplomas from the Alliance Française and NIIT.

In 2011, she attended New York Film Academy in Los Angeles for an acting course and later on a film making course from Dov Simen's Hollywood Film Institute. In 2013, she obtained a certificate in Human resource management from the London Business School.

In Summer 2015, she was part of the Relativity Education program from Nigeria, owned by Relativity Media in Beverly Hills.

Entertainment She started a career in entertainment with modelling in 2000 as a photographic model and later moved on to the runway and beauty pageants.

Pageants By 2002, she had participated in two mini-pageants, won the Miss Ebony beauty pageant and partaken in her first national pageant: Miss Commonwealth (Vanessa Ekeke), where she won the Miss Congeniality prize. Later the same year, she emerged 1st runner up in the queen Afrik beauty pageant (Tamilore Kuboye).

2003 saw her in the Queen of all Nations beauty pageant (Dubra Fufeyin) where she was again the 1st runner up.

In 2004 she contested in the Miss Nigeria beauty pageant where she emerged ...yet, 1st runner up. Not long after she was crowned Miss Earth Nigeria and consequently went to represent the country at the Miss Earth 2004

Film In February 2004, Ejenobor decided on a movie career. Starting off with Zeb Ejiro's The President Must Not Die, she has continued to have roles in movies. In May 2005, she played her first lead role in Life and Death, her third movie after The President Must Not Die and Guy on the Line. By December 2005, she played Chibuzor on the Edge of Paradise TV series produced by Royal Roots network.

Ufuoma Ejenobor on the set of My Mum and I as "Lillian Wright"

In 2008 she took on the role of "Lillian Wright" in the TV series My Mum and I a role that garnered her a nomination for a best actress award at the 2010 Festival de Télévision de Monte-Carlo and one at The Terracotta Nigerian TV and Film Awards. She was nominated as the Actor of the year 2011 at the Future Awards

Stage

In January 2018, McDermott reprised her roles as "Mama Baby", "Women Call Leader" and "Sister Esther" in the stage production Hear Word!, which returned for the second year in a row to Harvard and was staged at the prestigious American Repertory theatre in Cambridge, Massachusetts, U.SA. The production covers various themes, which address issues against women in the society. The play, which made its debut in Lagos, Nigeria in 2014, also features the acting talents of Joke Silva, Taiwo Ajayi-Lycett, Elvina Ibru and Bimbo Akintola.

Hear Word! featured at the Edinburgh International Festival in August 2019, and McDermott, Joke Silva, Taiwo Ajayi-Lycett and other cast members performed at the Royal Lyceum, in Edinburgh, Scotland. The Guardian UK, in its review of the show described it as "at once tough and inspirational", giving the play a three-star out of five.

The USM Show with Ufuoma McDermott

In July 2019, McDermott put together a live-theater experience at the Eko Hotel and Towers in Lagos, tagged "The USM Show with Ufuoma McDermott". The event was a potpourri of live music, dance performances and a debut of her stage production "The Magic of a Dream".

The Magic of a Dream was directed by Toritseju Ejoh and featured acting performances from several notable Nigerian thespians including Femi Branch, Chioma Akpotha, Offiong Anthony (Thin Tall Tony), Akah Nnani and Zara Udofia-Ejoh. The USM Show also featured live musical and comedy performances from a range of Nigerian entertainers, including, Teni the entertainer, Seyi Law and MC Abbey.

Movie Directing/Production At the premiere of her movie directorial debut, McDermott revealed that she had begun writing the story for the film Christmas is Coming in 2013. The movie was however released in November 2017 ahead of the Christmas holidays.

In 2018, she earned her sophomore production credit with the release of What Just Happened in cinemas across Nigeria.

Recognition Best Actress in a TV series Nominee – Nigeria Entertainment Awards 2011 Actor of the Year 2011 Nominee- The Future Awards Best Actress nominee – Golden Nymph Awards 2010 (Monte Carlo Television Festival) Best Actress in a Drama series nominee, Terracotta TV and Film Awards Go Red Africa, Best Female Model, 2007 African Youth Society, Role Model Award, 2009 Represented Nigeria at the Miss Earth 2004 beauty pageant McDermott was a speaker at TEDx Rayfield, which held in December 2017

Pageant

Year Pageant Status 2004 Miss Earth Nigeria Winner Miss Nigeria 1st Runner up 2003 Queen of all Nation 1st Runner up 2002 Queen Afrik 1st Runner up Miss Commonwealth Miss Congeniality 2001 Miss Ebony Winner

Ufuoma also received a Golden Nymph Best Actress nomination at the 2010 Monte Carlo Television Festival alongside Tina Fey, Jane Krakowski and January Jones.

Awards Year Award Category NoteRef 2003 Nigerian French Village Fille Africaine 2007 African heart foundation at The African Fashion show Best Model 2009 African Youth Society Role Model Award 2010 Golden Nymph Award at the Monte Carlo Television Festival Best Actress in a comedy Terracotta Television and Film Awards Best Actress in a drama series 2011 The Future Awards Best Actress 2014 AMVCA Africa Magic Viewers choice awards Best New media-Online video 2015 Delta Entertainment Awards Most Outstanding Actress 2016 ELOY Awards Actress (Big screen) 2017 City People Awards Best Actress 2017 Best of Nollywood AwardsBest Actress in a Lead role –English Best Kiss in a Movie

Filmography Year Film Role Notes 2004 The President Must Not Die Detective- Supporting role Film Director Zeb Ejiro starring Ibinabo Fiberesima, Enebeli Elebuwa- Released 2005 Life Partner Film Director Adim Williams also starring Jim Iyke, Lilian Bach Queen of My Heart Claudia Film Director Neville Ossai starring Rita Dominic, Clem Ohameze Secrets and Lies TV mini-series 2005 Life and Death *1st Lead Role. Film Director Bond Emeruwa starring Zack Orji, Emeka Ossai Guy on The Line Film Director Jaja Michael starring Rita Dominic, Jim Iyke, Chidi Mokeme Missed Love Film Director Adim Williams starring Oge Okoye, Hank Anuku, Jim Iyke Two Good Friends Floxy Film Directors Famous Otakpowen and Omoefe Kingsley starring John Okafor, Empress Njamah, Grace Amah, Uche Jombo Desperate BillionaireEvelyn Film Director Jaja Michael starring Bimbo Akintola, Rita Dominic, Kanayo O. Kanayo, Ini Edo Unknown Angel Stella Film Director Ernest Obi starring Ernest Obi, Emeka Eniocha, Ebubu Nwagbo, Tony Umez, Mike Ezuruonye Height of Indecision Film Director Ernest Obi starring Amaechi Munagor, Chinyere Wilfred Baby Guards Nonye Film Director Ifeanyi Onyeabo starring Ashley Nwosu, Osita Iheme, Chinedu Ikedieze My Experience Film Director Oyin starring Emeka Enyioha, Ini Edo, Susuan Patrick, Thelma Okodua 2006 Emotional Blackmail Film Director Ernest Obi starring Zack Orji, Tony Umez, Mike Ezuruonye, Ini Edo One Chance Film Director Emeka Nwabueze starring Oge Okoye, Emeka Nwafor, Francis Duru, Moses Armstrong Painful World Vivian Film Director Willie Ajenge starring Chioma Chukwuka, Desmond Elliot, Mercy Johnson, Moses Effret Honey Desire Vivian Film Director Stanley William starring Florence Onuma, Ngozi Orji, Mike Ezuruonye, Monalisa Chinda Edge of Paradise Chibuzor (2 episodes) TV soap. Film Director Greg Odutayo starring Norbert Young, Caroline King, Akeem Rahaman Dangerous Friends Film Director Ernest Obi starring Steph-Nora Okere, Mike Ezuruonye, Yemi Blaq, Onyeka Onwenu Nebuchadnezzar Cynthia Film Director Stanley William starring Emeka Eniocha, Moses Armstrong, John Okafor Dream come True Lagbaja's Choice Musical Video for Musician Lagbaja from the Album "Africano" 2007 Saving Sarah Sarah Film Director Lancelot Imasuen starring Jim Iyke, Desmond Elliot Devil's Workshop Nkechi Film Director Willie Ajenge starring St Obi, Stephanie Okereke Classical Fraud Cynthia Film Director Ifeanyi starring Dakore Egbuson, Alex Usifo, Florence Onuma, Clem Ohameze Mortal Man Marian Film Director Gloriana James Robert starring Mike Ezuruonye, Emeka Eniocha Sounds of Poverty Ene Film Director Suuny Okwori starring Monalisa Chinda, Susan Peters Super story ( Everything It Takes ) Joke TV series. Film Director Andy Amenechi starring John Njamah, Kalu Ikeagwu, Paul Adams, Gloria Young, Gbenga Richards Twist of Fate Vivian Film Director Willie Ajenge starring Desmond Elliot, Mercy Johnson, Moses Effret A Night in the Philippines Amarachi Film Director Zeb Ejiro starring Ibinabo Fiberesima, Desmond Elliot Mary Eboka Buy Me a Rose Rich Film Director Ernest Obi starring Dakore Egbuson, Ramsey Nouah, Bukky Ajayi, Arinze Okonkwo Titanic Tussle Mrs Owolabi Film Director Andy Amenechi starring Kenneth Okonkwo, Mike Ezuruonye Nkiru Sylvanus 2008 Rose of Africa Rich Film Director Ernest Obi starring Mike Ezuruonye, Dakore Egbuson, Steph Nora Okere, Moses Armstrong, Ramsey Nouah Italian Deal Lina Film Director Ernest Obi starring Yvonne Jegede, Mike Ezuruonye, Kalu Ikeagwu, Femi Branch Ice Cold Film Director Nnamdi Odunze starring Mike Okon, Alex Usifo, Femi Brainard, Vitalis Ndubisi Divine Partner Doctor Film Director Yinka starring Oge Okoye, Tony Umez, Benedict Johnson Final Tussle Mrs Owolabi Film Director Andy Amenechi starring Desmond Elliot, Eurcharia Anunobi, Kenneth Oknokwo, Mike Ezuruonye 2009 Empty Coffin Lilian Film Director Emeka Hills starring Zack Orji, Emeka Ike Be Yourself Film Director Emeka Nwabueze starring Amechi Munagor, Moses Effret My Mum And I Lilian Wright TV series. Film Director Greg Odutayo starring Gbenga Windapo, Taiwo Atigogo. *5 Golden Nymph Nominations at the 2010 Monte Carlo Television Festival. *10 Nominations at The 2010 Terracotta TV and Film Awards 2010 Hot Island Lucy Film Director Emeka Jonathan starring Emeka Ike, Monalisa chinda Wise In-Law Stella Film Director Ikechukwu Onyeka. starring Majid Michel, Charles Inojie, Ngozi Ezeonu, Hafiz Ayetoro A Private Storm Lisa Film Director Lancelot Odua Imasuen starring Ramsey Nouah, Omotola Jalade Ekeinde, John Duello 2013 Vagary Xter Film Director Ejiro Starring: Okey Uzoeshi This House Is Not For Sale Esther Film for TV Director Pat Imobio Starring: Saheed Balogun. 2014 Hear Word Sister Esther Stage Director Ifeoma Fafunwa Starring: Dakore Akande, Joke Silva, Ireti Doyle, Bimbo Akintola, Elvina Ibru, Omonor Shomolu Kin - Film Director Pat Imobio Starring Saheed Balogun, Tina Mba 2015 Okoro: The Prince Queen Idia Film Director Charles Uwagbai Starring: Alex Usifo, Sam Loco Efe, Edosa Imasuen, Henry Legemah. Hear Word Sister Esther, Women Rally, VVF Stage Director Ifeoma Fafunwa Starring Kate Henshaw, Kemi Akindoju, Joke Silva, Bimbo Akintola, Elvina Ibru. * The play also went on tour in November for Ake Festival in Ogun state and in Lagos on Christmas Day. Merciful Mercy Film Director Zeb Ejiro Starring Emmanuel Mensah 2016 Duplicity Zeinom Cameron-Cole Meinom Cameron-Cole TV series Director George Kura Starring: Sadiq Daba, Ireti Doyle, Femi Branch, Anthony Monjaro, Uru Eke, Uti Nwanchukwu, Funnybone Chibunna, Buchi Franklin, Aisha Shaba Hear Word Sister Esther, VVF, Women Rally Leader Stage Director Ifeoma Fafunwa Starring: Joke Silva, Bimbo Akintola, Elvina Ibru, *Local Show; Abuja. *International Premier and tour; Harvard, Connecticut and Amsterdam. Wives on Strike Mama Amina Film Director Omoni Oboli Starring: Omoni Oboli, Uche Jombo, Chioma Chukwuka, Julius Agwu, Kenneth Okonkwo This Thing Called Marriage Ifeyinwa TV series Director Blessing Effiom Egbe Starring: Femi Jacobs, Tana Adelana, Jennifer John. Okafor’s Law Ify Film Director Omoni Oboli Starring: Omoni Oboli, Richard Mofe Damijo, Blossom Chukwujekwu, Toyin Aimakhu, Halima Abubakar, Mary Lazarus, Yvonne Jegede, Gabriel Afolayan, Ken Erics, Betty Irabo Tina Mba *City to city official selection at the Toronto International Film Festival 2017 The Women Omoh Film Director Blessing Effiom Egbe starring Kate Henshaw, Omoni Oboli, Katherine Obiang, Tony Monjaro Christmas is Coming Henri Film Director Ufuoma McDermott starring Deyemi Okanlawon, Chioma Chukwuka Wives on Strike: The Revolution Mama Amina Film Director Omoni Oboli starring Omoni Oboli, Uche Jombo, Chioma Chukwuka, Julius Agwu, Kenneth Okonkwo 2018 Esohe Eno Film Director Charles Uwagbai Starring: Jimmy Jean-Louis, Kyle Colton, Desmond Elliot What Just Happened Professor Oghogho Film Director Charles Uwagbai Starring: Toyin Abraham, Mike Ezuruonye, Segun Arinze2019Merry Men 2ZaraDirected by Moses Inwang