Ini Edo

Ini Edo is an Ibibio from Akwa Ibom state located in the south-south part of Nigeria, not far from Calabar. Her mother was a school teacher, and her father a church elder. Ini Edo had a strict upbringing, the second of four children, three girls, one boy. She attended Cornelia Connely College in Uyo, Nigeria. She graduated from the University of Uyo^[11] 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.^[4] In 2014, she got a scholarship to study law at the National Open University of Nigeria.^[12]

Her acting career started in 2000 with her debut in Thick Madam.^{[citation needed]} 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"^[13]

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.^[14]

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.^[15][16]

She represents the National Democratic Institute (NDI), an NGO that works to improve the efficacy of democratic institutions, as an ambassador.^[17]

In 2023, Ini Edo produced ShantyTown, a 2023 Nigerian crime thriller released to Netflix on 20 January 2023.^[18]

Ini Edo is among the Judges at De9jaspirit Talent Hunt she has so far anchored the first, second and third seasons.^[19]

In 2008, Ini Edo married Philip Ehiagwina an American-based business man. The marriage ended in September 2014 after six years.^[20]Ini Edo had her first child, a girl through surrogacy in the year 2021^[21]

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.^[17]

• Ini Edo was Glo brand ambassador for ten years from 2006 to 2016.^[22]
• In 2010, she was named to be the brand ambassador of Noble Hair.^[23]
• Ini Edo is brand ambassador of Slim Tea Nigeria.^[24]
• In 2019, she was signed as an ambassador for the @MrTaxi_NG brand.^[25]

Ini Edo was appointed as the Special Assistant to the Akwa Ibom State Governor on culture and tourism by Udom Gabriel Emmanuel in 2016.^[26]

• List of Nigerian actresses

Wikiquote has quotations related to Ini Edo.

• Ini Edo at IMDb