Ini Edo facts for kids

Quick facts for kids Ini Edo
Born	Iniobong Edo Ekim (1982-04-23) 23 April 1982 (age 43) Akwa Ibom, Nigeria
Nationality	Nigerian
Alma mater	University of Uyo University of Calabar National Open University of Nigeria
Occupation	Actress
Years active	2000–present
Spouse(s)	Philip Ehiagwina (2008-2013)(divorced)
Children	1

Iniobong Edo Ekim (born April 23, 1982), known to many as Ini Edo, is a famous Nigerian actress from Akwa Ibom State. She started her acting career in the year 2000 and has starred in over 200 movies. Ini Edo has also been a judge for talent shows and was even named a Youth Envoy by the United Nations to help with human settlements.

Early Life and School

Ini Edo grew up in Akwa Ibom State, a place in the southern part of Nigeria. Her mother was a teacher, and her father was a church elder, so she had a strict upbringing. She is the second of four children in her family.

For her education, Ini Edo attended Cornelia Connely College. She later studied Theatre Arts at the University of Uyo and English at the University of Calabar. In 2014, she received a scholarship to study law at the National Open University of Nigeria.

Her Acting Journey

Ini Edo's acting career began in 2000 with her first movie, Thick Madam. A movie producer discovered her during an audition. She became very well-known in 2004 after starring in the movie World Apart. Since then, she has appeared in more than 100 films. She was even nominated for "Best Lead Actress" at the 11th Africa Movie Academy Awards for her role in "While You Slept."

Ini Edo has shared that hard work, passion, and dedication are key to success in the Nollywood film industry, despite many distractions. She encourages everyone to be determined to reach their goals.

In 2021, Ini Edo launched her own luxury fashion and beauty brand called Secrets Of April. This brand offers stylish clothing, beauty products, and accessories. She also works as an ambassador for the National Democratic Institute (NDI), an organization that helps make democratic systems better. In 2023, Ini Edo produced a Nigerian crime thriller series called ShantyTown, which was released on Netflix. She has also been a judge for the De9jaspirit Talent Hunt for its first three seasons.

Life Outside of Work

In 2008, Ini Edo married Philip Ehiagwina, a businessman. Their marriage ended in 2014. In 2021, Ini Edo welcomed her first child, a baby girl, through surrogacy.

Helping Others (Philanthropy)

Ini Edo is the founder of GEMS (Girls Empowerment Mentorship Scheme) AFRICA. This is an organization that helps young women by offering mentorship, teaching them new skills, and providing support. Through GEMS Africa, she has helped over 10,000 girls across various fields.

Being a Brand Ambassador

Ini Edo has worked as a brand ambassador for several companies:

• She was a brand ambassador for Glo for ten years, from 2006 to 2016.
• In 2010, she became the brand ambassador for Noble Hair.
• She is also a brand ambassador for Slim Tea Nigeria.
• In 2019, she was signed as an ambassador for the @MrTaxi_NG brand.
• In 2023, she became an ambassador for the Capital Luxury brand.

Working with the Government

In 2016, Ini Edo was appointed as the Special Assistant to the Akwa Ibom State Governor on culture and tourism. This role meant she helped promote the culture and tourism of her home state.

Awards and Recognitions

Ini Edo has received many awards and nominations for her acting and contributions. Here are some of them:

Movies She Has Been In

Here is a selection of movies Ini Edo has starred in:

See Also

In Spanish: Ini Edo para niños

• List of Nigerian actresses