Ali Nuhu


Ali Nuhu Mohammed is a Nigerian actor who serves as the managing director of the Nigerian Film Corporation since January 2024. Married to Maimuna Garba in 2003, the couple have 2 children. He has appeared in Hausa and English films and is often regarded as "king of kannywood". Nuhu is widely regarded as one of the greatest and most influential actors of all time in Hausa Cinema. He has been described as the most successful Hausa film actor in the world.

Early life and education

Ali Nuhu Mohammed was born in Maiduguri, Borno State, Nigeria. His father, Nuhu Poloma, was from Balanga in Gombe State and his mother, Fatima Karderam Digema, was from Bama in Borno State. He grew up in Kano and attended Dawakin Tofa Science College. He had his degree in Geography from the University of Jos.
After serving in the National Youth Service Corps for one year in Ibadan, he took courses in filmmaking from the Asian Academy of Film and Television in Delhi. He also studied transmedia story telling in the University of Southern California.

Acting career

Nuhu made his acting debut with the 1999 film Abin sirri ne. He is best known for his role in Sangaya, which became one of the highest-grossing Hausa films at the time. Ali Nuhu starred in several sequel films, including Azal, Jarumin Maza, and Sitanda and was awarded Best Actor in a supporting role during the Africa Movie Academy Awards in. In 2019, Nuhu celebrated his 20th anniversary in the entertainment industry. He has appeared in about five hundred movies.

Filmography

Nigerian Movies

YearTitleRoleGenreProduction company
2007SitandaSitandaDramaAmstel Malta Boxoffice
2011Carbin KwaiAbbaDramaFKD Production
2012Madubin DubawaKhalidDramaFKD Production
2012Last Flight to AbujaDanDramaNollywood Film Factory
2012Blood and HennaActorDramaNewage Networks
2013Confusion Na WaBelloDramaCinema KpataKpata
2013Wani HaninActorDramaGiggs International
2014Matan GidaActorDramaMai Kwai Movies
2015Jinin JikinaActorDramaShareef Studios
2016NasibiActorDrama3SP International
2016OjukokoroJubrilDramaSingularity Media
2016MansoorAbubakarDramaFKD Production
2017Banana Island GhostMr. KingDramaBiola Alabi Media
2017HakkundeDr WaziriDramaPhoenix Films & Media Productions / Asurf Films
2019One Lagos NightRadiantComedyRiverside Productions/Bukana Motion Pictures
2019The MillionsSheikh
2019Diamonds In The SkyFaisal DalhatyDramaLeah Foundation
2020Dear AffyKhalidDrama007 Global
2021AminaDanjumaDramaBlackScreen Entertainment / Videosonic Studios / Netflix
2025MakemationCoach Gyang

Kannywood Series

YearTitleRoleGenreProduction company
2020Izzar SoActorDramaBakori TV
2022AlaqaDirector/ActorDramaFKD Productions

Awards and nominations

Nuhu is one of the most decorated actors in the Hausa Cinema, he frequently appears on listings of the most popular, stylish and influential people in Nigeria. He has regularly featured among the top ten of the 100 most influential men in Nigeria. Nuhu has been brand ambassador of various governmental and nongovernmental campaigns including Globacom, OMO, Samsung and others. He received an honorary doctorate from ISM Adonai American University, Benin Republic in 2018.
Ali Nuhu recently became an ambassador for cereal brand, Checkers Custard.
YearAwardCategoryResult
2005Arewa Films AwardBest ActorWon
20073rd Africa Movie Academy AwardsBest Upcoming Actor awardWon
2008The Future AwardBest ActorWon
2011Zulu [African Film Academy Awards]Best Actor 'Won
20122012 [Best of Nollywood Awards|Best of Nollywood Awards]Best Actor 'Won
20139th Africa Movie Academy AwardsBest Supporting ActorNomitated
2013Nigeria Entertainment AwardsBest ActorWon
2013Best of Nollywood AwardsBest Actor 'Won
2013City People Entertainment AwardsKannywood FaceWon
2014Kannywood AwardsBest ActorWon
2014Leadership AwardsBest ArtisteWon
2014City People Entertainment AwardsBest ActorWon
2014City People Entertainment AwardsKannywood FaceWon
2014Arewa Music and Movie AwardsPride of KannywoodWon
2014Arewa Music and Movie AwardsBest Actor 'Won
201519th African Film AwardsMost Outstanding ActorWon
2015Best of Nollywood AwardsBest Actor Won
2015Kannywood AwardsBest Actor 'Won
2015City People Entertainment AwardsKannywood PersonalityWon
2016Best of Nollywood AwardsBest Actor 'Won
2016Arewa Music and Movie AwardsBest ActorWon
2016Kannywood AwardsBest ActorNomitated
2016City People Entertainment AwardsKannywood FaceNomitated
2016Arewa Creative Industry AwardsEntertainment AwardWon
2016Wazobia FM's COWA AwardsExcellent EntertainerWon
2017Northern Nigeria Peace AwardsBest ActorWon
2017City People Entertainment AwardsKannywood FaceWon
2017City People Entertainment AwardsBest ActorNomitated
2017Best of Nollywood AwardsSpecial Recognition AwardWon
2021Northern Film MakersBest ActorWon
2023Nollywood Europe Golden AwardsBest ActorWon