Nkem Owoh’s net worth is estimated at $4 million. He acquired his wealth from his over two decades career as a notable Nigerian actor, comedian, writer, and singer with major roles in films and series such as Osuofia in London, Ukwa, and Chief Daddy. He also accumulated a part of his wealth from endorsement deals.
The Things Fall Apart actor owns houses in Enugu and Imo States in southeastern Nigeria. Owoh is also not a stranger to having cars worth millions of Naira; this makes him easily fit in as one of the richest Nollywood actors.
What is Nkem Owoh’s Net Worth?
Nkem Owoh’s net worth is estimated at $4 million, calculated based on his known assets such as real estate, automobiles, stock, etc.
With Nkem Owoh’s net worth, he is regarded as one of the richest Nollywood actors. He ranks in this list with the likes of Pete Edochie, Mike Ezuruonye, Odunlade Adekola, Richard Mofe Damijo, and Jim Iyke.
Sources of Nkem Owoh’s Net Worth
Nkem Owoh has made his wealth from different sources such as acting, comedy, writing, music, and endorsement deals. Moreover, he may have been involved in other businesses he keeps away from the public.
Here is the breakdown of all the ways Osuofia makes his wealth.
His Earliest Source of Wealth is working with the Nigerian Television Authority (NTA)
Nkem Owoh dreamed of becoming an engineer, but his earliest job was as a broadcaster with NTA. Not much is known about how much he earned then, but the job became a breakthrough in his career and finances.
Working with NTA is one of his few jobs as a broadcaster, as he also had a career with Anambra State Broadcasting Services (ASBS).
He Started His Journey in the Movie Industry as a Screenwriter
Another source of Nkem Owoh’s wealth is screenwriting, which was his first job in the movie industry. He became a writer long before his career started as an actor.
He contributed to one of Nigeria’s most notable films of all time, Living in Bondage, which was released in 1992. Owoh was responsible for handling the Igbo subtitle of the movie, which featured veteran actors such as Kenneth Okonkwo, Kanayo O. Kanayo, Francis Agu, Ngozi Nwosu, and Nnenna Nwabueze.
Over time, this career progressed as he wrote the scripts of numerous popular sitcoms in Nigeria, including The New Masquerade, Bassey and Company, and Tales by the Moonlight.
Acting is the Major Contributor to Osuofia’s Net Worth
There’s no gainsaying that acting is the primary source of Nkem Owoh’s net worth. Having had talent in acting since childhood and being involved in storytelling as a writer, it didn’t take so much for him to find a place as an actor.
One of his earliest roles was in Things Fall Apart (1987), a TV adaption of Chinua Achebe’s novel of the same title. The movie also brought actors such as Funso Adeolu, Pete Edochie, and Justus Esiri to the limelight.
In 1991, Osuofia appeared in Ose Sango with Francis Agu, Francis Duru, and Enebeli Elebuwa. He appeared in numerous other blockbuster Nigerian films in the early 1990s. Some of these films include Glamour Girls (1994) and Nneka the Pretty Serpent.
With all of the fame he made through these mentioned films, one thing that remains under wraps is how much he earned. Regardless, Nollywood actors earned very poorly in the 1990s and early 2000s.
Whatever the case, Owoh’s major career breakthrough in acting was in 1995 when he appeared in Ukwa. The film exposed him as a rib-cracking comedian and gained him the nickname Ukwa.
In the years that followed, Nkem Owoh appeared in Rattle Snake (1995), Silent Night (1996), Blood Money (1997), Pam Pam (1997), and Karashika (1998), among many other films.
He Has Appeared in Major Blockbusters in Nigeria
Still, with a focus on acting as a major contributor to Nkem Owoh’s wealth, the actor has appeared in some of the highest-grossing films in Nigeria.
At the time of this report, his highest-grossing film is Funke Akindele’s Battle of Buka Street, where he played the role of Maduka. The film is the first-ever Indigenous Nollywood release in the United States. The film, which also features the likes of Mercy Johnson and Tina Mba, made $61,000 in the US.
In addition, Battle on Buka Street is the highest-grossing film of all time at the time of this report. It has a domestic gross of ₦668,423,056.
Another highest-grossing film of Nkem is My Village People (2021). He played the role of Professor Pium. The film made ₦100,958,400 at the box office.
Then, he also appeared in Chief Daddy. The 2018 film remains one of Nigeria’s most commercially successful films. It recorded ₦387,540,749 at the box office.
Looking more into Nkem’s source of wealth and putting his successful movies into consideration, he featured in the first Netflix original film produced in Nigeria – Lionheart! The 2018 film directed by Genevieve Nnaji is also the first Oscar entry film from Nollywood. Sadly, it was later disqualified.
Before this era, Nkem Owoh appeared in Osuofia in London. The film remains one of his most successful as it made both fortune and fame. The Kingsley Ogoro-directed film won Nkem Owoh awards, including the Africa Movie Academy Award for Best Musical Score. The movie is one of the highest-selling films in Nollywood’s history and has contributed immensely to Owoh’s wealth.
Movie Production is One of Nkem Owoh’s Net Worth Sources
Nkem Owoh is a movie producer. Nonetheless, this career only lasted a while but has also contributed to how much wealth he has today.
In 1997, he produced his famous comedy film Pam Pam, featuring comedian Okey Bakasi. The year after, he produced Yogo Pam Pam and Kiss Me Quick.
Nkem Owoh’s Movies and TV Shows
- Zarz End (2023)
- The Bride Price (2023)
- Battle on Buka Street (2022)
- The Planters Plantation (2022)
- Obara’M (2022)
- Foreigner’s God (2022)
- In Another Life (2022)
- Chief Daddy 2: Going for Broke (2022)
- Tough Love (2021)
- The Garbage School (2021)
- My Village People (2021)
- Small Chops (2020)
- God Calling (2018)
- Chief Daddy (2018)
- Lionheart (2018)
- Ghana Must Go (2016)
- Yellow Fever (2015)
- Oga on Top (2013)
- Wisdom of Thomas (2012)
- Shattered Mirror (2012)
- My Baby (2010)
- Forgive Me Father (2009)
- Agaba (2009)
- Osuofia and the Wise Men (2008)
- His Holiness (2008)
- Stronger Than Pain (2007)
- De Prof (2007)
- Johnbull & Rosekate (2007)
- A Fool at 40 (2006)
- The Barrister (2006)
- My Driver (2004)
- America Visa (2004)
- Mr. Trouble (2003)
- Police Recruit (2003)
- Osuofia in London (2003)
- Long John (2002)
- Onye-Eze (2001)
- Issakaba (1999)
- Endtime (1999)
- Kiss Me Quick (1998)
- Yogo Pam Pam (1998)
- Karishika (1998)
- Pam Pam (1997)
- Silent Night (1996)
- Domitilla (1996)
- Rattle Snake (1995)
- Ukwa (1995)
- Nneka the Pretty Serpent (1994)
- Glamour Girls (1994)
- Living in Bondage (1992)
- Things Fall Apart (1987)
Osuofia’s Awards
- In 2020, Nkem Owoh was nominated for the Best Supporting Actor in a Movie or TV Series by the Africa Magic Viewers Choice Awards
- The actor gained a City People Achievement Award in 2017.
- He also received The Life Time Achievement Award (LTAA) at the 2017 African Movie Academy Award (AMAA).
- Nkem was named the Best Actor in a Leading Role at the 2008 AMAA. This was for his role in Stronger Than Pain.
- In 2008, he won the City People Movie Special Recognition Award.
Music Has Contributed to Nkem Owoh’s Net Worth
In addition to acting, Nkem Owoh is a musician whose music career has contributed to his net worth. His music career traces to as far back as the early 2000s when he released three different studio albums.
The first, Osuofia in London, was released in 2003. Its success led to another album, The Master (2005). Again, in 2023, he released an album titled Obara’m (Original Motion Picture Soundtrack).
Apart from albums, Nkem Owoh has released singles such as I Go Chop Your Dollar (2005), Agreement (2005), and My People (2023). One of his most commercially successful songs is I Go Chop Your Dollar.
Unfortunately, despite the fame and fortune that the song garnered, it was banned by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) and the NCC.
While it is unknown how much exactly the Osufia in London actor gained from his music career, it undeniably contributed to his wealth.
He has performed in different parts of the world, including Amsterdam, where he was arrested on suspicion of lottery fraud and immigration violations. He was later released.
List of Osuofia’s Songs
- Olamma
- I Go Chop Your Dollar
- Know Me When Am Poor
- Susana
- Agreement
- Osuofia
- Know Me
- I am a master, you are a looser
- Mama No Know ‘N’ Pikin Again
- E No Dey Sleep
He Earns From Endorsement Deals
Over the years, Nkem Owoh has earned by being an ambassador to numerous brands in Nigeria. Some of them include the multi-national telecommunication company MTN and Hero Beer. Here is a breakdown of the actor’s endorsement deals.
He is one of the Longest-Serving MTN Ambassador in Nigeria
Nkem Owoh became a part of MTN Telecommunication in 2012. His deal with the company was renewed yearly, and this led to his becoming one the longest-serving brand ambassador of the company in Nigeria. He was a brand ambassador for the company for over five years.
He has appeared in the network’s commercials, such as the MTN Family & Friends Xpanded alongside Patience Ozokwor. Also, he is the main character in the MTN Apprentice Freedom commercial.
He is a Hero Ambassador
Nkem Owoh became one of the ambassadors of Hero Lager beer in 2021. He was named alongside Pete Edochie, Ill Bliss, and numerous other famous people.
Being the ambassador of the alcoholic brand, Nkem has appeared in numerous commercials. He is also a part of the Igbo Boi Apprenticeship scheme, which the brand pays close attention to.
From both MTN and Hero, Owoh has acquired millions of Naira.
Nkem Owoh House and Cars
Nkem Owoh’s Houses and Landed Property
The legendary actor owns houses in Enugu and Imo State. He owns a mansion in his village, Amagu Village, Udi Town, and another in Enugu Town. In 2012, he was attacked by robbers in one of his houses in Enugu, and they succeeded in getting away with his SUV car.
More about his landed property in Enugu, Nkem had an altercation with a widow over a house at Emeheluaku Layout, Trans Ekulu, Enugu. The widow claimed that she owned the uncompleted house while, from indication, Owoh may have bought the land. She claimed that the actor coarsed her to leave the property, but when she refused, he had it demolished in September 2012.
Also, it has been revealed that the actor built a mansion worth ₦500 million in 2011. The mansion is located in one of Owerri’s most notable and highbrow areas, precisely off five-star Imo Concord Hotel Road, Owerri, Imo State.
More into his houses, Nkem Owoh was given a 15,000 Euro sterling voucher in 2004. This would allow him to buy a house in London and pay in installments. Although he gave hints that he may not accept the offer, there is no information on whether or not he acquired the house.
Nkem Owoh’s Cars and Their Worth
Nkem Owoh has numerous cars worth millions. While he does not show off his cars, the few known to the public are a Mitsubishi Montero SUV worth over 10 million. The car was unfortunately stolen when robbers attacked his home in 2012.
The actor also has a Mercedes Benz 4matic car and another SUV car, which he has only given a glimpse of on social media.
FAQs
What is Nkem Owoh’s Age?
Nkem Owoh is currently 66 years old. He was born on February 7, 1958, in Amagu Village, Udi Town, Enugu.
Where is Nkem Owoh’s House Located?
The actor has different houses, which are located in Imo and Enugu States in the southeast region of Nigeria. The homes are worth over half a billion Naira.
Is Nkem Owoh Still Alive?
Nkem Owoh is alive and still active as an actor, brand ambassador, writer, and musician. Regardless, there were rumors in 2008 and 2018 that he had died.
What Happened to Nkem Owoh’s Daughter?
Nkem Owoh’s daughter, Kosisochukwu Nkem-Owoh, died on June 28, 2023, after a brief illness. She was 24 years old and was born to Osuofia and his wife, Ngozi Nkem Owoh (married in 1998).
Which University Did Nkem Owoh Attend?
The actor attended the Federal University of Agriculture Abeokuta. There, he studied Engineering.