The “Old Nollywood” era refers to a period in the Nigerian film industry between the late 90s and early 2000s. This formative period was characterized by low-budget productions, exaggerated makeup and fashion, comedic storytelling, and the rise of the iconic “Nolly Baddie” villain archetype. Despite humble beginnings and technical limitations, Nollywood’s classics from this era contained many gems that showcased the talent and charisma of legendary actresses.
As Women’s History Month draws to a close, we take a nostalgic journey to celebrate some unforgettable female-led Nollywood films from the 2000s. These movies gave us memorable performances by trailblazing actresses who helped shape Nollywood into the cultural force it is today, even if some have since stepped away from acting.
1. Blood Sisters
In the annals of Old Nollywood cinema, few films capture the intense sibling rivalry and family dynamics quite like the 2003 drama Blood Sisters. This riveting portrait of sisterhood pushed to its limits starred two of Nollywood’s biggest luminaries, Genevieve Nnaji and Omotola Jalade Ekeinde as sisters raised in poverty by their mother, played by the legendary Patience Ozokwor.
Nnaji and Ekeinde are feuding siblings caught in a toxic web of jealousy, hatred, and unresolved resentments. One sister is portrayed as kind-hearted, while the other is consumed by her cruel, malicious streak, yet the inescapable ties of blood bind both.
Though the 2022 crime thriller series by Netflix and Ebony Life productions of the same name is an unrelated story, the original 2003 film remains an unforgettable classic that laid bare the complexities of sisterhood.
2. Women’s Cot
A powerful exploration of female resilience and solidarity, Women’s Cot (2005) was a definitive Old Nollywood drama directed by Dickson Iroegbu. The film follows a group of affluent women facing forms of mistreatment from their husbands. In response to these harsh realities, they form an unbreakable sisterhood, a covert “sorority” united in empowerment and self-protection.
The electric cast was headed by iconic Nollywood actresses of the era — Joke Silva, Onyeka Onwenu, Rita Edochie, Bukky Ajayi, and Bimbo Manuel. These legendary talents imbued their characters with incredible depth, bringing to life the unique struggles and inner strength required to survive as women in a patriarchal society. With its powerful themes, standout performances, and a narrative that still resonates today, Women’s Cot cemented its place as a landmark of Old Nollywood cinema that championed women’s voices and the human spirit.
3. Girls Cot
A quintessential Old Nollywood classic, Girls Cot (2006) transported viewers into the gritty world of university students hustling to survive in the big city. Produced by Sylvester Obadigie and directed by Afam Okereke, the film featured an iconic quartet of actresses, Genevieve Nnaji, Rita Dominic, Uche Jombo, and Ini Edo, as the embodiment of fierce, streetwise city girls.
The story drops us right into the thick of the action, opening with the fearless foursome being chased by police through the streets controlled by wealthy politicians and business tycoons. Their escape sets the tone for a tale of ambition, friendship, and doing whatever it takes to make it in a world ruled by money and power. Nnaji, Dominic, Jombo, and Edo sizzle on screen as the charismatic leading ladies, bringing authentic grit and flair to their roles. Girls Cot captures the essence of Old Nollywood — a raw, unvarnished look at Nigerian urban life. This classic can still be enjoyed on YouTube.
4. Beyoncé and Rihanna
An over-the-top satire, Beyoncé and Rihanna take the alleged rivalry between two international pop icons and transplant it into the world of Nollywood camp and melodrama. Released in 2008, the peak of Old Nollywood’s golden era, the film stars Nadia Buhari and Omotola Jalade as feuding college rivals willing to go to outrageous lengths to secure a coveted recording contract.
While the plot loosely mirrors the perceived Beyoncé/Rihanna conflict, the film owns its premise wholeheartedly. Buhari and Jalade bask in the scenery as the dueling divas, their overacting and bad-girl antics reaching soap operatic levels of excess. Adding to the drama is Jim Iyke in the role of Jay-Jay (Jay-Z) caught in the middle of the catfight.
However, that’s precisely what makes Beyoncé and Rihanna such a delight. There’s no pretense of subtlety or restraint. It’s a time capsule of an era when Nollywood filmmakers embraced flair and made no apologies for their exaggerated brand of glamor and spectacle. If you’re seeking an authentic vintage Nollywood experience, Beyoncé and Rihanna delivers in spades.
5. Blackberry Babes
Released in 2011, Blackberry Babes (or BBB) perfectly captured the iconic BlackBerry smartphone that defined an era. Directed by Ubong Bassey Nya, the film satirized the materialistic pursuits and status obsession of the time through the lens of Oge Okoye, Tonto Dikeh, Mary Remmy, and Annie Macaulay.
These “Blackberry Babes” were young, fabulous, and extremely picky with their suitors. Flaunting expensive tastes, they made it their rule to ignore any potential romantic interests without a BlackBerry. Blackberry Babes embodied the excesses of its era with charm and humor, making it a true prize of Old Nollywood cinema.
6. August Meeting
In the Igbo culture, August carries special significance as the traditional time for women to gather and reinforce their bonds of sisterhood. Lancelot Oduwa Imasuen’s 2012 drama August Meeting puts a provocative spin on this age-old practice.
The film follows an elite circle of Igbo women whose annual August Meeting has evolved from its original intent as a networking and relationship-building forum. Now, their reunion has become intoxicatingly intertwined with displays of power, wealth, and destructive obsession. August Meeting stars iconic Nollywood talents at the height of their prowess. Eucharia Anunobi, Ngozi Ezeonu, Chinwe Owoh, and Rita Dominic lead a formidable cast, each actress bringing her A-game to this searing exploration of female ambition.