Ini Dima-Okojie is a Nigerian actress who hails from Edo state, known to have featured in many Nollywood movies ever since she made her debut in 2014.
She is a young actress with so much potential, even though she had begun her career as an Investment Banker. She later quit Investment Banking to act, enrolling at the New York Film Academy to hone her skills. The once shy and reserved Ini has since blossomed in front of the camera, doing what she knows how to do best.
Okojie listed Richard Mofe Damijo and Majid Michel as her favorite actors, alongside Blossom Chukwujekwu, Ik Ogbonna, and OC Ukeje. In addition, she admits that acting has been a ride, but she wouldn’t change anything. Besides acting, she is also a fashion lover, something she intends to do in the future. For now, however, Ini Dima Okojie is working to be a household name.
1. Ini Dima Okojie Is From Edo State, Nigeria
Ini was born on the 24th of June, 1990 in Lagos State, Nigeria. She is, however, from Esan North-East LGA of Edo State, Nigeria. Dima Okojie grew up in Lagos state and had her early education there. Her parents are both professionals; Mr. Okojie is a retired military-trained doctor in the Nigerian Air Force while her mother was a lawyer but she worked in a bank. They have played an important role as parents by supporting Ini in her acting career.
The actress revealed in an interview that her great grandfather was the Oji of their community and was called Omi Okojie. Therefore, her family is massive, and she has a huge number of relations.
2. She is the Most Popular Among Her Siblings
Ini Dima Okojie was born to a family of four, of which she is the last child. She has two sisters and a brother. One of her sisters, Ivie, is a Business Strategist with a degree in Economics from Babcock University. Her other siblings are not well known to the public and social media.
Meanwhile, when they were growing up, around 8 years old, Ini confessed that she was part of a band called the ‘Wanna Bees’, and they sang an original song then. Ini also started a business when she was 8 or 12 years old. She designed and sold greeting cards to her family and friends and saved the money she made in a box. At such a young age, Dima Okojie developed an entrepreneurial spirit and passion for entertainment.
3. The Actress Is A Graduate of Covenant University
Ini attended Air Force Primary School, Lagos, and Air Force Comprehensive Secondary School, Ibadan. This is not a surprise, judging by the fact that her father was a staff in the Nigerian Air Force. For her university studies, Okojie attended Covenant University in Ota, Ogun State. She graduated with a 4.18 GPA in International Relations. As required of every Nigerian graduate, she went for her one-year-long National Youth Service Corps (NYSC).
4. Before Acting, She Had A Career in Investment Banking
After her studies, Okojie first worked as a customer care agent for a telecommunication company. Being good with numbers and finance, she worked as a banker for two years. Ini worked in a banking firm called Cardinal Supreme Partners. Her career as a banker, however, did not last long because of her passion for acting.
At first, Okojie wanted to go to school and secure a corporate job, which she did. But her passion for acting could not allow her to stay in the job. She explained in an interview that the choice to leave was not an easy one. Her father was initially not happy with her decision but later supported her choice and stood strongly by her with her mother. Having the support of both parents is the reason she is where she is today.
5. Ini Dima Okojie Attended New York Film Academy
After tendering her resignation, the aspiring actress enrolled in the New York Film Academy where she honed her acting skills. According to the actress, her parents sponsored her studies and gave her the encouragement she needed. While still studying in the academy, she debuted as an actress in the movie Bad Hair Day. Her zeal for acting moved her into getting any experience she thought might help her in her career.
Upon graduation, Ini returned to Nigeria in 2014 where her acting career kicked off fully. To date, she has continued to do what she knows how to do best and has no plans of slowing down.
6. She Made Her Nollywood Debut In The TV Series Taste Of Love in 2014
Ini Dima Okojie has always been fantasizing about acting from childhood but never thought it would be a reality someday. While she admits that it is full of ups and downs and has its own challenges, she says she is ready for them all and does not regret leaving her old job.
With so much enthusiasm for her new career, Ini hit the ground running upon return to Nigeria in 2014. After working as a production assistant on the TV series, Before 30, she landed her first major acting role in Taste of Love (2014). Since then, Okojie has appeared in several movies and TV shows, and her acting career has been blossoming ever since.
7. The Fast-Rising Actress Has Many Movies and TV Shows Under Her Belt
Ini Dima-Okojie has acted in movies alongside movie stars like Segun Arinze, Jide Kosoko, Nkem Owoh, Alexx Ekubo, Tony Umez, and Omotola Jalade Ekeinde, among others. Here is a list of some of the many movies and TV shows she has acted in.
Ini Dima-Okojie’s Movies
- Death Toll – 2015
- The Prenup – 2015
- North East – 2016
- The following Day – 2016
- It’s Her Day – 2016
- The Royal Hibiscus Hotel -2017
- Sylvia – 2018
- Kpali – 2019
- Who’s the Boss – 2020
- Namaste Wahala – 2021
Ini Dima-Okojie’s TV Shows
- Desperate House Wives of Africa – 2015
- Skinny Girl in Transit – 2015-2017
- 5ive – 2016
- Battleground – 2017
- Oga! Pastor – 2019
- Smart Money Woman – 2020
8. Ini Dima Okojie’s Awards
For a career spanning over five years, the actress has become a reckoning force in the industry. Although she is yet to claim an award, she has been nominated for quite a few, a nod to how much of a talented actress she is. Some of her most notable nominations include the following:
- Prize for Acting – 2017 The Future Awards
- TV Actress of the Year (Battleground) – 2017 ELOY Awards
- Most Promising Actress – 2017 City People Movie Awards
- Best actress in a Supporting Role – 2017 Nigeria Entertainment Awards
- Best Golden Actress Drama – 2020 Golden Movies Awards
9. The Actress Is Still Single
Ini is not married, and according to word on the street, is very much single. Details of her past dalliances are not public knowledge so it is not clear if she has ever been with anybody in the entertainment industry.
Nevertheless, Ini has mentioned Australian actor Chris Hemsworth as her celebrity crush. She went as far as calling him her husband.
10. She was Diagnosed with Uterine Fibroids in 2017
In 2017, Ini Dima-Okojie was diagnosed with Uterine Fibroids. She didn’t disclose the information to the public until late 2020 after she had carried out the surgery to remove them. At first, her doctors advised her to leave it and get married. This is because Fibroids tend to shrink on their own after one gives birth. Also, there is a likelihood of it reappearing at a later age after a surgery that is done at an early age.
But Ini’s case was different as the Fibroids grew bigger, and surgery was her only option at that point. She, therefore, went ahead with the procedure that was successful.