From Entertainment to Enterprise: Top Celebrities Making Their Mark in the Business World (Part 1)

In recent times, the Nigerian entertainment ecosystem has grown in leaps and bounds, creating more opportunities for new entrants to thrive. In the same vein, the entertainment circle has proven to be unforgiving to those unprepared for the end of fame, those suddenly coming into realization that talent and creativity is not enough, learning finally that fame is transient. 

Just like regular Nigerians are supplementing their main jobs with side gigs to earn extra income, so also are some smart Nigerian showbiz stars diversifying their investment from their mainstay source of fame into business ventures thereby creating multiple streams of income and securing their financial futures. From the music industry to Nollywood, to showbiz influencers.

Who are these smart celebrities? Let’s dive into the world of these business-oriented entertainers.

#1. Dbanj 

Dbanj or skibanj like his Jamaican friends call him is one of Nigeria’s iconic music acts. Oladapo Daniel Oyebanjo, the Tongolo master ruled the airwaves during his time with hits like “fall in love,” “oliver twist”, “Olorun Maje,” ” Emergency”  amongst others.

Dbanj arguably was the most endorsed artiste back in the day, with brands like Power Fist, Chris Aire, UAC Foods, Virgin Colour, BOI, Glo, Hennessy, ONE Campaign, Ciroc, etc.

In 2014, he rolled out into Agriculture with products like koko garri. He also founded   D’ Kings Men Media Limited, a 360 Media Company and MCOMM Ltd (Median Mobile Communications Limited).

In 2021, Dbanj signed an endorsement deal with the Nigerian export import bank.

Recently, Dbanj just unveiled Koko FC, a football club in Lagos. The Koko master once told a journalist that going into business and focusing on the showbiz angle of his career at the time he did was his greatest decision. He is said to be worth $14 million.

#2. Genevieve Nnaji

Dubbed the Julia Roberts of Nigeria by Oprah Winfrey, Genevieve Nnaji is undoubtedly one of the movie greats to have ever come out of Africa. A household name known to all. Having seen all and done all there is in Nollywood, Genevieve started early by launching a music career in 2002.

In 2010, foraying into corporate hosting/ events presentation, she was the host of the Gulder Ultimate Search celebrity showdown.

In 2014, she launched her clothing line called St Genevieve which was relaunched later in 2016 in collaboration with Jumia Online stores. She’s equally been the face and brand ambassador for numerous brands like Range Rover, Lux, Loya, Amstel Malta, Polo, Etisalat etc.

She delved into movie production and directing. Her directorial debut with her movie Lionheart got Netflix interested leading to an acquisition of the movie.

Ultimately, Genevieve Nnaji belongs to the class of superstars who make little or no noise but have got so much going on for them.

#3. DR SID

Sydney Oniorode Esiri popularly known as Dr Sid, and son of the late Nollywood icon Justus Esiri, a former signee under the defunct Mohits record and Mavins label famous for hits like Pop Champagne, Surulere and more seems to have taken a break from the music scene and is now fully settled into other fields of endeavour with special mention, the tech gaming ecosystem. 

Did you know that Dr. Sid started a production line for a special quadruple chocolate cookie range under the brand Indulge in 2013?

Dr Sid equally veered into film production releasing his first movie, titled “Order Of Things.” which isn’t surprising given his legacy in Nollywood.

Reports say he’s been working on an animated series titled Moji.

These days he is heavy into Tech gaming, founding the Kon10dr, an esports and tech gaming company, Dr Sid says the gaming industry is a 2.1 billion dollar’s worth window. He currently holds the position of Vice President, of E Sports Nigeria. 

#4. Mr Eazi

Oluwatosin Oluwole Ajibade, also known as Mr Eazi seems to have always been in the business ecosystem, maybe because he was born into a business-oriented family. 

The “skintight” crooner started his first business venture as an undergraduate in KNUST, Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology, called Swagger Entertainment. Mr Eazi would later become famous for his songs, but he was always pushing one venture or the other. 

In August 2019, he founded Empawa, a talent incubation company supported by YouTube Music to groom, support and nurture new artistes. In 2021, he launched his investment firm called Zagadat Capital, which has gone on to invest in ventures like African Music fund, Empawa Africa, betpawa, Paisa, Eden Life, Ruka Hair, Decagon, Apata, Turf, Shoobs, and Choplife Limited.

Recently there have been rumours linking Mr Eazi to the sale of Vydia, a music tech distribution startup to the tune of 1 billion dollars. If you call Mr Eazi, Mr Money, you would not be wrong, because business is a leg-over for him and you can Zagadat!!

#5. Linda Ikeji

44 years old owner of the most popular and  controversial blog in sub Saharan Africa, sporting one of the most successful blogging stories in the world, Linda Ifeoma Ilkeji is undoubtedly  Africa’s most prominent and richest celebrity online blogger in recent times. 

She became famous as a blogger to the extent that she became the standard. LIB or Linda Ikeji’s Blog as her brand is referred to made it so that If any piece of gossip or news hasn’t passed through her blog, then it wasn’t worth believing.

In 2012, she was named one of the most prominent women in Africa by Forbes.

As of 2019, LindaIkeji.com was the most visited site in Nigeria, right after Google, Facebook and Wikipedia.

  Role model to thousands of African young women, Linda started a direct mentorship foundation called “I’d rather be self-made” to which she donated more than 10 million naira to support young women and their businesses in the first phase of the project.

Beyond the blog, Linda Ikeji has grown her brand in leaps and bounds. In 2016, she launched Linda Ikeji Social, closely followed by Linda Ikeji TV which launched in 2018. Soon to follow was Linda Ikeji online radio station. 

What’s more? Not too many people know that Linda Ikeji has created her digital marketing agency where she runs advertising campaigns for corporate organizations, it’s called “Linda Ikeji Digital Marketing Agency.”

Linda recently ventured into film production with her first movie titled “Dark October” released in 2023. Her second movie , “The Night of June 7th” is set to be released before the end of 2024.

Even though controversial, Linda Ikeji is the perfect embodiment of the “I Can do” spirit, celebrity blogger, writer, marketing exec, film producer, and a proper media mogul in her rights.

#6. Iyabo Ojo

Apart from mesmerizing viewers with her on-screen performances, Iyabo Ojo is a movie producer, and director with more than 14 movies to her production credit. Nollywood aside, Iyabo Ojo is a serial entrepreneur with multiple businesses to her name. She began Fespris limited in 2017, which runs an academy, a restaurant, a lounge, as well as a beauty salon. The restaurant known as Fespris Abula spot sells local traditional dishes. Fespris World is the beauty arm of her business, which features a spa, make-up studio, beauty skincare store, event management, and ushering services.

Fespris Academy and production focuses on the production and distribution of movies while incubating aspiring actors.

#7. Tuface Idibia.

From the days of Plantashun Boyz and morphing into a solo artiste with songs, like “African Queen,” “Implication,” Innocent Ujah Idibia, 2 Baba, one of Africa’s most decorated musical artists has reserved a very special place in the hearts and minds of all music lovers in Nigeria and beyond. 

Musical dexterity, talent, good looks, and charm aside, Tuface has been one of the Nigerian artists to have invested early on in his career diversifying his portfolio and becoming financially buoyant through business investments.

He invested in entertainment starting with the creation of Hypertek records, ultimately launching into nightlife business with his club called “Rumours.”in the heart of lagos.

In 2020, he founded an agro allied company called “Innobia allied limited” diversifying into Agriculture, revealing that it was a pilot project to engage, train and empower 10,000 women and youths in rice and soya beans production.

Just recently, in November 2024, Tubaba was appointed as the brand ambassador for the Job Creation and Micro, Small, and Medium Enterprises (MSMEs) Secretariat, under Nigeria’s Office of the Vice President. Despite his retirement in music, it’s noteworthy that Tubaba’s social credit is still relevant, making him a choice partner for social development initiatives from both the private and public sector ecosystems. His worth is hinged on $22.5 million 

#8. AjeButter

Foremost Nigerian Altè singer and rapper, Akitoye Balogun also called Ajebutter 22 got us hooked on his songs when he released “Omo Pastor” in 2014, he would go on to drop “Bad Gang” “tungba” “Ghana Bounce” and a host of other lovely tunes.

Just like Mr Eazi, Aje Butter is also one of the Nigerian top celebrities taking advantage of their social credit, improving themselves, and doing the business way of life. Not just any type of business but top tech angel investment.

In 2020, Ajebutter ventured into angel investing, first into AltSchool, a tech talent matching initiative, then Nestcoin, an African-focused Web3 start-up. Ajebutter in an interview, responded to the question, why tech? He replied that he wanted to be a part of something he could own, that was bigger than him and would be great someday. Ajebutter is on to something big, as Tech is the new oil, and just like he sang in one of his songs, it’s all about the soft life or nothing.

#9. Ali Nuhu

Ali Nuhu is one of the most talented and influential actors from the northern part of Nigeria. Prominent in both the local Kannywood and contemporary Nollywood movie circles, his delivery in movie roles is one to always look forward to. Having acted in over 500 movies, Ali is one of the most successful Hausa actors in history.

Ali has gotten endorsement deals from brands like Mouka Foam, Globacom Nigeria, Royco, Pepsi, Blue Boat, Champions Milk, Cherie Noodles, Moniepoint, and Venture Furniture.

He also served as the Nigerian Communications Commission, NCC’s, “Face of the Consumer”.

Beyond the world of acting, is also a film producer, having studied production and Cinematic Arts at the University of California and attended training programs at the Asian School of Media Studies.

In 2023, Ali was appointed as the Managing Director of the Nigerian Film Corporation. 

He is also the founder and chairman of FKD Productions, a film production company. His net worth is estimated to be around 1 million dollars.

#10. Basket Mouth

Multi-talented comedian and entertainer, Basketmouth, real name Bright Okpcha is one of Nigeria’s creative geniuses blessed with incredible wit, charisma, and fluid dexterity in the delivery of his works.

Starting out as a comedian, basketnouth has performed on various international stages. His early comedic days began in earnest right upon graduation from the University of Benin where he studied Sociology and Anthropology.

A regular feature at Opa Williams’ Night of a Thousand Laughs, he’s gone on to host his comedy shows, performing In international audiences,  Indigo 02 in the the UK. His shows at the Hammersmith Apollo and Wembley Arena in London were also sold out. Solidifying his international appeal, he’s performed at notable comedy festivals such as Montreaux Comedy Festival and Just for Laughs.

Diversifying into other fields of creativity, Basket Mouth soon veered into the world of acting in the long-running comic series “Flatmates”. He also starred in the critically acclaimed thriller Brotherhood produced by Jade Osiberu. 

Basketmouth began his production in 2020 with the comic series “Papa Benji”.

He’s also an accomplished master of ceremony, and compere, he hosted ThisDay Music Festival, which had global music icons like Jay Z, Busta Rhymes, Beyoncé, Snoop Dogg, and Chris Brown in attendance. Furthermore, he hosted Comedy Central Special, Ridiculousness on Comedy Central, as well as The MTV Base Big Friday Show.

He would soon get into the Music scene making a mark with his debut album “Yabasi” which received so much love and praise from music lovers. Featuring Nigerian artistes like Oxlade, flavour, Duncan Mighty, waje and Cavemen  The songs in the album served as the soundtracks for his series Papa Benji. 

In 2022, he released a second album called “Horoscope”, in it he featured Simi, Johnny Drille, and Peruzzi.

Basket Mouth has served as a brand ambassador to brands like Globacom, Street, Dana Air, Minimie, Amstel Malta, Kwame Motors amongst others.

He’s invested in several real estate holdings, some of which have been the subject of controversy on socials.

Basket Mouth is an all-round entertainer who’s shown the ability to reinvent himself every single time, he’s definitely going to be on our screens for a long time. He’s been estimated to be worth 15 million dollars.