Uzor Arukwe
Uzor Arukwe | |
|---|---|
 | |
| Born | August 6, 1983 |
| Occupation | Actor |
| Years active | 2014 – present |
| Known for | His role as Inspector Sam in Sergeant Tutu |
| Notable work | A Tribe Called Judah, Momiwa, Love in Every Word |
Uzor Arukwe (born August 6, 1983) is a Nigerian actor, filmmaker and producer. Known for his work on screen and stage.[1] and across many genres.
Arukwe began her career in Nigeria with the 2014 film Unspoken Truth. In 2022, his breakthrough came with lead roles in Chief Daddy 2: Going for Broke.
Early life and education
[edit]Uzor Arukwe was born on 6 August 1983 in Surulere Lagos State, Nigeria, but he comes from Nkwerre, Imo State in South-eastern Nigeria. Arukwe was raised in a polygamous family, his father had two wives and three kids, Including Arukwe and his brother, Ebuka .[2] He attended the Nigerian Navy Secondary School, Port Harcourt.[3] Arukwe earned a Bachelor of Science in economics from the University of Abia State, while his second academic degree in Master of Business Administration from the University of Calabar.[4][5]
In an interview by Chude Jideonwo, Arukwe, said his father did not approve of his career choice, and did not accept him being in the movie business. Arukwe explained that his mother was also hesitant about his career decision at first because of his father’s opinions but then agreed.[6]
Career
[edit]Arukwe made his Nollywood debut in 2014 in the movie Unspoken Truth but gained recognition for his role in Sergeant Tutu.[7][8] His role as a private investigator in the 2019 movie, Code Wilo also earned him more recognition.[9][10] He received 2 nominations for ‘Best Actor in Comedy or Movie’ in the 2020 African Magic Viewers' Choice Award for his roles in Smash and Size 12 respectively and a nomination for 'Best Actor' in the 2021 Best of Nollywood Awards for his role in Yours Regardless.[8][11][12]
For his performance in the film Colors of Fire[13], Arukwe won the Best Actor award at the 2026 Africa Magic Viewers' Choice Awards (AMVCA).[14][15]
Nomination
[edit]He was nominated in the 2020 African Magic Viewers' Choice Award (AMVCA) and in the 2021 Best of Nollywood Awards.[12][11][16]
For his appearance in the films Size 12 and Smash, he was nominated twice for the 2020 African Magic Viewer's Choice Award for ''Best Actor in Comedy or Movie''.
Filmography
[edit]Films
[edit]| Year | Title | Role | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2014 | Unspoken Truth | Martins | Debut role |
| 2015 | Fine Girl | Gregory | Alongside Ozzy Agu, Grace-Charis Bassey |
| 2016 | Size 12 | Fred | Alongside Bimbo Ademoye, Yemi Blaq |
| 2017 | Sergeant Tutu | Inspector Sam | Alongside Funny Bone, Tunji Aderibigbe |
| In Line | Debo Devi | Alongside Esosa Adah, Elsie Ajokku, Chris Attoh | |
| 2018 | Kayanmata | Fola | Alongside Fred Amata, Ayo Adesanya Hassan |
| Blood Letters | Chris | Alongside Yvonne Enakhena, Efe Irele | |
| Smash | Alongside Bolanle Ninalowo, Funny Bone, Iyabo Ojo | ||
| 2019 | Sugar Rush | Knight | Alongside Bimbo Ademoye and Bisola Aiyeola |
| The Set Up | Pastor Dimeji | Alongside Dakore Akande and Adesua Etomi | |
| Boys Will Be Boys | Mike | Alongside Blessing Anietie, Promise Awoke | |
| Hire a Woman | Jide | Alongside Nancy Isime and Alexx Ekubo | |
| Kpali | Alongside Nkem Owoh and Ini-Dima Okojie | ||
| Size 12 | Jide | Alongside Maryjane Bologi, Grace Asuowo, Mary Lazarus | |
| Code Wilo | |||
| She is | Pastor Chike | Alongside Chiwetalu Agu, Ime Bishop Umoh | |
| 2020 | Kambili: The Whole 30 Yards | Bankole | Alongside Nancy Isime and Elvina Ibru |
| Dear Affy | Kelechi | Alongside Toyin Abraham, Bimbo Ademoye, Seilat Adebowale | |
| Through the Wire | Ehiz | Alongside Bimbo Ademoye, Chioma Agulefo | |
| A Thousand Ways to Break a Cheating Man | Tami | Alongside Bimbo Ademoye, Ray Adeka, Ivy Blessing Agbo | |
| Tanwa Savage | Jola | Alongside Segun Arinze, Bimbo Ademoye, Nkechi Blessing | |
| 2021 | Prophetess | Eze-Ego | Alongside Toyin Abraham and Kehinde Bankole |
| Dwindle | Male Saint | Alongside Swanky JKA and Broda Shaggi | |
| Progressive Tailors Club | Mazi Chibuzor | Alongside Adesina Adebayo, Alakija Adebayo, Femi Adebayo | |
| Enemy Closer | Owen | Alongside Grace-Charis Bassey, Nini Mbonu | |
| Hell's Candidate | Dubem | Alongside Fred Amata, Uche Ben | |
| The Blood Covenant | Jite | Alongside Shalewa Ashafa, Tobi Bakre, Akexx Ekubo | |
| 2022 | Chief Daddy 2: Going for Broke | Prince Sonny | Alongside Chika Agwuike, Dakore Akande, Violet Akhator |
| Finding Me | Jidenna | Alongside Rita Anyabuwa, Gift Eyimba | |
| The Man for the Job | Joseph | Alongside Rita Anwarah, Akintoba Adeoluwa | |
| Head Over Bills | Jesse | Alongside Bimbo Ademoye, Kehinde Adeboyega | |
| 2023 | A Tribe Called Judah | Chigozie Onuaha | Alongside Funke Akindele, Jide Kene Achufusi, Timini Egbuson |
| Mercy | Tonye | Alongside Owolusi Abiodun, Charles Born, Blessing Jessica Obazi-Nze | |
| Malaika | Alongside Toyin Abraham, Odunlade Adekola, Muyiwa Ademola | ||
| Blood Sisters | Alongside Chimamanda Eze, Oge Gabriel, Emeka Madu | ||
| Heart Strings | Alongside Okey Jude, Jide Kosoko, Uche Montana | ||
| 2024 | What About Us? | Jaiye | Alongside Folu Storms, Kunle Remi |
| On the Edge | Korede | Alongside Umaru Abudulai, Funso Adeolu, Temitope Aje | |
| The Chef | Kwame | Alongside Okoli Mather Chinonye, Angela Eguavoen | |
| Wedding Night Blues | Nosa Ezekiel | Alongside Tochi Akparanta, Chijindu Aniakor | |
| House Arrest | Chudi | Alongside Bimbo Ademoye, Adebolu Ola Ezikpe | |
| Oma's Truth | Nduka | Alongside Moet Abebe, Sunday Atate, Micah Great | |
| On the Edge | Korede | Alongside Umaru Abdulai, Funso Adeolu | |
| Just the Two of us | Alongside Uche Montana, Directed by Best Okoduwa | ||
| Momiwa | Naeto | Alongside Blessing Jessica Obasi-Nze and Iyabo Ojo, Produced and Directed by Biodun Stephen | |
| 2025 | Love in Every Word | Obiora | Alongside Bam Bam (Bamike), Produced by Omoni Oboli |
| Colors of Fire | Akinbode | Alogside Osas Ighodaro, Directed by Niyi Akinmolayan | |
TV shows
[edit]| Year | Title | Role | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2019 | Oga! Pastor | Deoye Gesinde | Webseries by Ndani TV |
| 2019-2020 | Unbroken | Nafike Malafa | TV series |
| 2021 | Tough Love | TV series | |
| 2025 | The Party | TV series |
Awards and nominations
[edit]| Year | Award | Category | Nominee | Result | Ref |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2020 | African Magic Viewers' Choice Award | Best Actor in a Comedy or Movie | Uzor Arukwe - Smash | Nominated | [8] |
| Uzor Arukwe - Size 12 | Nominated | ||||
| 2021 | Best of Nollywood Awards | Best Actor | Uzor Arukwe - Yours Regardless | Nominated | [12] |
| 2025 | Africa Magic Viewer's Choice Award | Best Supporting Actor | Uzor Arukwe - Suspicion | Nominated | [17][18] |
| 2026 | Africa Magic Viewers' Choice Awards | Best Actor | Colors of Fire | Won | [19] |
| Best Supporting Actor | Behind The Scenes | Nominated | |||
References
[edit]- ↑ Ajose, Kehinde (2023-10-07). "Actors deserve better pay — Uzor Arukwe". The Punch. Retrieved 2023-12-03.
- ↑ "Uzor Arukwe: Biography, Age, Education, Wife, Children, Movies, Career, Net Worth, Controversy, and More". NewsWireNGR. 2025-05-10. Retrieved 2026-05-23.
- ↑ "UZOR ARUKWE-MY RISE TO STARDOM – MYSTORY NIGERIA". Retrieved 2026-05-23.
- ↑ "Actors Deserve Better Pay — Uzor Arukwe". The Punch. 8 October 2023.
- ↑ Tugbobo, Babatunde (2022-06-05). "I was undermined when I got into Nollywood —Uzor Arukwe". Punch Newspapers. Retrieved 2026-05-23.
- ↑ Olanrewaju, Oluwatosin (2026-04-29). "'My Dad Doesn't Know I'm An Actor'- Uzor Arukwe". New Telegraph. Lagos, Nigeria. Retrieved 2026-05-23.
- ↑ Adeyemo, Ifeoluwa (2020-01-21). "10 Actors to Watch Out for in 2020". The NET. Lagos, Nigeria. Retrieved 2021-06-02.
- 1 2 3 Mofijesusewa, Samuel (2020-03-06). "Toyin Abraham, Uzor Arukwe, and Zainab Balogun - The Talented Trio Nominated Twice In An AMVCA Category". The NET. Lagos, Nigeria. Retrieved 2021-06-02.
- ↑ Bada, Gbenga (2019-12-18). "Pulse List 2019: The top 10 male Nollywood actors of the year". Pulse Nigeria. Retrieved 2021-06-02.
- ↑ Samuel, Mofijesusewa (2021-01-11). "Top 15 Nollywood Actors to Watch Out For in 2021". The NET. Lagos, Nigeria. Retrieved 2021-06-02.
- 1 2 Ige, Rotimi (2020-03-06). "7th AMVCA: Bimbo Ademoye, Daniel Etim Effiong, Reminisce and other promising stars to watch out for". Nigerian Tribune. Retrieved 2021-06-11.
- 1 2 3 Edeme, Victoria (2021-09-11). "BBNaija Pere bags 'Best Actor' nomination in 2021 BON Awards". The Punch. Retrieved 2021-09-17.
- ↑ Nwafor (2025-10-12). "Osas Ighodaro, Uzor Arukwe star in Niyi Akinmolayan's "Colours of Fire" set for December release". Vanguard News. Retrieved 2026-07-07.
- ↑ "AMVCA 2026 full winners list: Uzor Arukwe, Linda Ejiofor win best lead actor and actress category". BBC News Pidgin. 2026-05-09. Retrieved 2026-07-07.
- ↑ efosataiwo@vanguardngr.com (2026-05-09). "AMVCA: Uzor Arukwe, Linda Ejiofor win best lead actor, actress". Vanguard News. Retrieved 2026-07-07.
- ↑ "Actor Uzor Arukwe Responds To Criticisms On His Role In 'A Tribe Called Judah'". Leadership. 2024-03-02. Retrieved 2024-06-22.
- ↑ Adeneyo, Apegg (2025-03-24). "Lateef Adedimeji, Uzor Arukwe get nod as AMVCA announces nominees for 2025 edition - Kemi Filani News". Kemi Filani. Retrieved 2025-03-25.
- ↑ Adene, Gift (2025-03-25). "Uzor Arukwe, Lateef Adedimeji, others bag 2025 AMVCA nominations - Charming Magazine". Retrieved 2025-03-25.
- ↑ Kehinde, Fawzi (2026-05-09). "AMVCA 2026: Full list of winners as ceremony holds in Lagos". Punch Newspapers. Retrieved 2026-05-10.
External links
[edit]- Uzor Arukwe at IMDb