For Omoni Oboli, movies are a way for her to dig deep into the complexities of human experience. And this belief has put her at the forefront of Nollywood. She was instrumental to Nollywood’s pivot from home video to cinema with movies like ‘The Figurine.’
Each role Oboli takes on is more than a performance. Over the years, her characters have become iconic, reasonating with audiences through their relatability, strength, and emotional depth.
From playing a wife battling her husband in the political arena to a mother fighting for her child’s future in a foreign land, every character has brought something new to her life and career.
As she reflects on some of her most beloved characters, she reveals how these roles shaped her and challenged her on and off screen.
Hankuri—’Love is War‘
In ‘Love is War,’ Omoni Oboli plays the driven and ambitious Hankuri competing against her husband for the governorship elections. This film allowed her to showcase the strengths and vulnerabilities of a woman whose ambitions are not only personal but also political. “She’s a loving wife but also so fierce and strong-willed,” she shares.
“Balancing her career and marriage was a challenge for her, and I really connected with that tension.” Playing a woman who had to navigate her personal and professional life at such high stakes gave her a platform to bring depth to her character, making it one of her favourites.
Joyce— ‘Anchor Baby‘
‘Anchor Baby’ gave Oboli the opportunity to step into the shoes of an undocumented immigrant struggling to secure a better life for her unborn child in the United States. The role resonated deeply with her. “This character’s journey was so intense and heartbreaking, especially when she loses her husband to deportation,” she explains.
“I couldn’t just walk away from the emotion—I would find myself in tears after filming. It felt like I was carrying her struggles with me even when the cameras weren’t rolling.” The experience of playing a mother facing the harsh realities of life as an immigrant was so powerful that it left a lasting impression on her. It is a role she still remembers as one of the most challenging and rewarding of her career.
Ejiro—’Okafor’s Law‘
Omoni Oboli also harbours strong affection for Ejiro from ‘Okafor’s Law’. Ejiro, a vibrant and spiritual woman, becomes the centre of a romantic bet as her ex-lover tries to rekindle their past. “She was a mix of so many things—accomplished, spiritual, a little unpredictable,” the actress recalls with a laugh.
“Ejiro’s spirit and her quirks made her an absolute joy to play.” This complexity provided her with a refreshing contrast, allowing her to navigate between different shades of emotion and adding spontaneity to her performance.
Mona—‘The Figurine‘
The supernatural thriller ‘The Figurine’ offered the actress a different kind of challenge. Her character, Muna, marries a man who stumbles upon a figurine believed to bring seven years of astonshing luck followed by seven years of hardship. As the curse of the figurine takes hold, Muna’s life spirals, confronting her with unimaginable loss. “Muna’s life unravels so completely—it’s both terrifying and fascinating,” she shares.
“The character let me explore themes of love, loss, and sanity in a way I hadn’t before. It was an emotional rollercoaster.” This role allowed her to convey the psychological toll of living under a curse, and it remains one of her standout performances in Nigerian cinema.
Alero—’Oloture’
In ‘Oloture’, she played Alero, a formidable character who pushed her to adopt a new level of intensity. Alero is a stark contrast to Oboli’s real-life persona, and the character required her to dig deep into the role’s darkness. “I would pray before every scene because Alero felt so different from me,” she admits. “I even stayed in character off-set, and it made everyone keep their distance,” she adds with a smile.
This commitment to method acting helped her bring Alero to life with an intensity that left a strong impression on audiences and co-stars alike.
Mama Ngozi—’The Uprising: Wives on Strike 3′
Oboli speaks fondly of Mama Ngozi in ‘Wives on Strike’. She is a market woman who turns to politics; Mama Ngozi’s resilience, humour, and resourcefulness made her an instant fan favourite. “Mama Ngozi is every Nigerian woman who doesn’t give up, who stands up for herself and her community,” she says proudly. “Bringing her to life was like celebrating the strength of the women who raised me and everyone I knew.”
In the sequel ‘The Uprising,’ Mama Ngozi faces new challenges as she juggles her responsibilities as a mother and politician, embodying the tenacity of Nigerian women everywhere.
Reflecting on these roles, the actress explains how each character has impacted her, allowing her to explore various shades of strength, vulnerability, and resilience. “Each role stays with me in some way, and I feel lucky to bring these women’s stories to the screen,” she says.
A pacesetter, Oboli has once again taken Nollywood a step further with the introduction of a voucher system for her film ‘The Uprising: Wives on Strike 3’.
As Oboli continues to take on challenging and impactful characters, audiences can look forward to more unforgettable performances that capture the complexities of life, love, and struggle.
