The Nigerian entertainment industry has become acclimatized to rising/established indigenous language actors transitioning to the predominantly English/Pidgin-language national moviedom, known as Nollywood.
TheNigerian News observed that in recent years, Hausa-language actors appear to be topping the chart in the indigenous language-to-lingua-franca transition culture, with bigwigs in Kannywood (the Kano-based Hausa-language film industry) all making inroads into Nollywood.
Collaboration has also helped in bridging the gap between Kannywood and Nollywood.
Here are some of the actors leading the pack:
Ali Nuhu
Dubbed the King of Kannywood, Ali Nuhu is arguably the first Hausa film star to impact the national movie industry, Nollywood.
He broke into the klieglight in 1999 in the highly acclaimed Hausa film Abin sirri ne.
Sarki Ali, as fans call him, hit the national reckoning for his role in Sangaya – one of the highest-grossing Hausa movies of all time.
Since then, he has starred in several Nollywood movies including Last Flight to Abuja, Banana Island Ghost, The Plan, and the 2022 series Flawsome.
In 2019, Nuhu marked his 20 years on stage. He has been featured in over 500 Nollywood and Kannywood films.
He has received numerous accolades including African Movie Academy Awards for Best Actor in a supporting role (2007), Nigeria Entertainment Awards for Best Actor (2013), and City People Entertainment Awards for Face of Kannywood (2017).
Rahama Sadau
Rahama Sadau made her acting debut with the 2013 film Gani ga Wane. She is regarded as the “hottest diva in Kannywood”.
Rammy, an alumnus of the Eastern Mediterranean University wasted no time before cutting her teeth in the national film industry, Nollywood. In addition, to acting in both Hausa and English movies, she also speaks Hindi fluently.
Her filmography includes UP North, If I Am President, MTV Shuga, The Plan, Chief Daddy 2: Going for Broke, and the 2022 Indian Hindi-language action thriller film Khuda Haafiz: Chapter 2 – Agni Pariksha.
Yakubu Mohammed
Yakubu Mohammed is one of the few actors that have achieved stardom in both Kannywood and Nollywood.
Mohammed is also a singer with about a thousand songs to his credit.
He began his career as a scriptwriter in 1998, before taking a movie role in the 2013 Hausa movie Gabar Cikin Gida.
He made his Nollywood debut in 2016 in the movie Sons of the Caliphate.
Since then, Mohammad has been featured in several Nollywood blockbusters like Genevieve Nnaji’s Lionheart, Queen Amina, 4th Republic, MTV Shuga, and Beyond the Veil.
Hadiza Aliyu
Hadiza Aliyu is the latest Kannywood star to cross over to Nollywood.
Born in Gabon, Hadiza ventured into the Huasa film industry after relocating to Nigeria. She made her acting debut in Artabu in 2009.
She rose to prominence after featuring in the critically acclaimed Hausa movie Ali Yaga Ali.
In 2017, she made her Nollywood debut in the movie Lagos Real Fake Life, alongside Mike Ezuruonye, Mark Angel, and Emmanuella.
Sani Danja
Sani Danja is an all-around entertainer. He is an actor, producer, director, singer, and dancer.
He made his Kannywood debut in Dalibai in 1999. He crossed over to Nollywood in 2012 in the movie Daughter of the River.
