Ini Edo

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{{cite web | last= | first= | title=INI EDO: Technically we've evolved as an industry | website=The Guardian Nigeria News - Nigeria and World News | date=2023-02-04 | url=https://guardian.ng/saturday-magazine/ini-edo-technically-weve-evolved-as-an-industry/ | access-date=2023-06-02}} 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.{{cite web|url=http://www.takemetonaija.com/2014/10/actress-ini-edo-biography-life-and-news.html?m=1#sthash.9iuRkWtx.dpuf|title=T.I.N MAGAZINE: Actress INI EDO Full Biography, Life And News|website=www.takemetonaija.com|access-date=21 December 2017}} In 2014, she got a scholarship to study law at the National Open University of Nigeria.{{Cite web |last=Orenuga |first=Adenike |date=2014-05-15 |title=Actress Ini Edo offered scholarship to study Law at NOUN |url=https://dailypost.ng/2014/05/15/actress-ini-edo-offered-scholarship-study-law-noun/ |access-date=2022-07-18 |website=Daily Post Nigeria |language=en-US}}

Her acting career started in 2000 with her debut in Thick Madam.{{citation needed|date=April 2022}} 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"{{cite news|url=https://guardian.ng/life/ini-edo-reflects-on-how-passion-has-brought-her-this-far/|title=Ini Edo Reflects On Her Career Growth|date=20 May 2019|work=Guardian Nigeria|access-date=6 May 2020}}

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.{{cite web|title=Exchanging sex for roles not worth it –Ini Edo|url=https://punchng.com/exchanging-sex-for-roles-not-worth-it-ini-edo/|access-date=24 February 2021|website=Punch Newspapers|date=5 March 2017}}

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.{{cite web| url=https://www.thisdaylive.com/index.php/2021/04/10/ini-edos-beauty-secret-of-april/| title=Ini Edo's 'Beauty Secret of April'| date=8 April 2021| website=Bellanaija| access-date=5 February 2023}}{{cite web| url=https://www.bellanaijastyle.com/ini-edo-skincare-beauty-secrets-of-april/| title=Ini Edo Is Debuting A Skincare Brand Beauty Secrets of April Heres Everything We Know| date=8 February 2021| website=Bellanaija| access-date=5 February 2023}}

She represents the National Democratic Institute (NDI), an NGO that works to improve the efficacy of democratic institutions, as an ambassador.{{cite web| url=https://www.bellanaija.com/2011/06/bn-exclusive-un-habitat-envoy-ini-edos-charity-initiatives-new-film-ill-take-my-chances-brand-new-promo-pics/| title=BN Exclusive UN Habitat Envoy Ini Edo's Charity Initiatives, New Film "I'll Take My Chances" & Brand New Promo Pics| date=8 April 2021| website=Bellanaija| access-date=5 February 2023}}

In 2023, Ini Edo produced ShantyTown, a 2023 Nigerian crime thriller released to Netflix on 20 January 2023.{{Cite web |last=Udodiong |first=Inemesit |date=2023-02-03 |title='Shanty Town': Ini Edo and Chi Chi Nworah on producing the top TV show on Netflix right now [Pulse Interview] |url=https://www.pulse.ng/entertainment/movies/shanty-town-ini-edo-and-chi-chi-nworah-on-producing-the-top-tv-show-on-netflix-right/25hhjmf |access-date=2023-02-04 |website=Pulse Nigeria |language=en}}

Ini Edo is among the Judges at De9jaspirit Talent Hunt she has so far anchored the first, second and third seasons.{{Cite web |last=News |first=Leadership |date=2023-05-27 |title=De9jaSpirit Talent Hunt, Talent Show Celebrating All Kinds Of Talents |url=https://leadership.ng/de9jaspirit-talent-hunt-talent-show-celebrating-all-kinds-of-talents/ |access-date=2023-06-05 |language=en-US}}

In 2025 Ini Edo is seen to be a major star in Africa's First and biggest reality tv series on Netflix:{{Citation |title=Young, Famous & African |date=2022-03-18 |type=Reality-TV |url=https://www.imdb.com/title/tt15302054/ |access-date=2025-02-04 |others=Annie Macauley, Khanyi Mbau, Diamond Platnumz |publisher=Netflix Studios}} "Young, Famous & African". The African show has shown to recently top the chart at #5 in Tv shows as of 4 January 2025. {{Cite web |last=Akhimien |first=Nosakhale |date=2025-01-26 |title=REVIEW: Young, Famous, & African 3 is potpourri of growth, unfinished drama |url=https://www.premiumtimesng.com/entertainment/naija-fashion/769636-review-young-famous-african-3-is-potpourri-of-growth-unfinished-drama.html |access-date=2025-02-04 |website=Premium Times Nigeria |language=en}}

In 2008, Ini Edo married Philip Ehiagwina an American-based business man. The marriage ended in September 2014 after six years.{{cite news|url=https://www.pmnewsnigeria.com/2020/02/26/ini-edo-finds-love-again/|title=Ini Edo finds love again|date=26 February 2020|work=PM News Nigeria|access-date=6 May 2020}}

Ini Edo had her first child, a girl through surrogacy in the year 2021.{{Cite web|url=https://www.premiumtimesng.com/entertainment/nollywood/498871-why-i-chose-to-welcome-my-baby-via-surrogacy-ini-edo.html|title = Why I chose to welcome my baby via surrogacy - Ini Edo|date = 3 December 2021}}

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.

• Ini Edo was Glo brand ambassador for ten years from 2006 to 2016.{{cite news|url=http://www.lailasblog.com/2016/10/ini-edo-thanks-glo-as-she-steps-aside.html?m=1|title=Ini Edo thanks Glo as she steps aside as their ambassador - Nigerian: Breaking News In Nigeria {{!}} Laila's Blog|date=29 October 2016|work=Nigerian: Breaking News In Nigeria {{!}} Laila's Blog|access-date=21 December 2017|archive-date=2 January 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170102080411/http://www.lailasblog.com/2016/10/ini-edo-thanks-glo-as-she-steps-aside.html?m=1|url-status=dead}}
• In 2010, she was named to be the brand ambassador of Noble Hair.{{cite news|url=http://olorisupergal.com/noble-hair-range-unveil-ini-edo-as-the-brand-ambassador/|title=Noble Hair Range Unveil Ini Edo as the Brand Ambassador - Olori Supergal|date=14 October 2011|work=Olori Supergal|access-date=21 December 2017}}
• Ini Edo is brand ambassador of Slim Tea Nigeria.{{cite web|url=http://www.lindaikejisblog.com/2016/02/actress-ini-edo-becomes-brand.html?m=1|title=Actress Ini Edo Becomes Brand Ambassador for Slimtea Nigeria!|website=Linda Ikeji's Blog|date=17 February 2016|access-date=21 December 2017}}
• In 2019, she was signed as an ambassador for the @MrTaxi_NG brand.{{cite news|url=https://www.vanguardngr.com/2019/10/superstar-actress-ini-edo-reveals-her-best-picture-of-the-year/|title=Superstar actress, Ini Edo, reveals her best picture of the year|date=20 October 2019|work=Vangaurd Newspaper|access-date=6 May 2020}}

In 2023, she was signed as an ambassador for the Capital Luxury brand.

Ini Edo was appointed as the Special Assistant to the Akwa Ibom State Governor on culture and tourism by Udom Gabriel Emmanuel in 2016.{{cite news|url=https://www.today.ng/culture/75690/ini-edo-appointed-special-assistant-on-tourism-to-aibom-governor|title=Ini Edo appointed Special Assistant on Tourism to A'Ibom Governor {{!}} TODAY.ng|date=5 February 2016|newspaper=TODAY|access-date=14 December 2016}}

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• 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

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• List of Nigerian actresses

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Category:Actresses from Akwa Ibom State

Category:Living people

Category:21st-century Nigerian actresses

Category:University of Calabar alumni

Category:University of Uyo alumni

Category:1982 births

Category:Nigerian film actresses

Category:National Open University of Nigeria alumni

Category:Nigerian film producers

Category:Nigerian women in business

Category:Nigerian film directors

Category:Nigerian women's rights activists

Category:Nigerian television personalities