3000 episodes after, Tinsel, an unending story of love, betrayal, and family is one of the longest-surviving television shows on the continent.
Here are the actors, producers, and technical crew who made it happen. Exclusive to Nigerian Entertainment Today.
1. Abiola Segun Williams as Titi K
Abiola is an actor, presenter, and scriptwriter who has been acting since 1986. Her first acting role was in a stage play, ‘Remilekun Jankario’ by Ben Tomiloju. She moved on to TV starring in shows like Palava, Neighbour Neighbour, and more. She was also a presenter for five years, of a family show on NTA 2 Channel 5 called Adam and Eve.
She has appeared in several movies such as Holding Hope, Finding Mercy, Baby Shower, The Patient, The Paternity, Diary of A Crazy Nigerian Woman, and more.
The actress battles with Scleroderma, an autoimmune rheumatic disease that affects the skin and organs in the body, and it made her slow down on her acting and screen presence while she recuperates.
2. Alex Okoroji as Susan
Alex Okoroji is a Nigerian actress and media personality. She began her professional acting career on television in the maiden edition of the reality television show Amstel Malta Box Office in 2005 and guest featured in her first film, Calabar girl, in 2006.
She has starred in movies such as Freedom Bank, Trinity, Destiny, State of the Heart, Hero’s Bride, Waiting Years, The Guide, and more. She’s also played characters in TV series like Heaven’s Gate, Wives N Concubines, Rush, Tales of Eve, and more.
She appeared on Tinsel where she played the feisty lawyer, Susan. In 2020, she won the Shine Legacy Award in Media for stellar contributions using media to influence humanity.
3. Anne Njemanze as Inspector Sankey
Anne Njemanze is a Nigerian actress who has been active since 1995 when she starred in Amaka Igwe’s blockbuster, Rattlesnake. Back then, home videos were the rage and she appeared in several films like Domitilla 1 & 2, True Confession, Living Abroad, and more.
She joined the cast of Tinsel in 2012 as ‘Inspector Sankey’. She went on to star in more films such as Ireti, Colourless, The Lost Cafe, and more.
4. Ashionye Michelle Raccah as Monica
Ashionye is a multi-faceted entertainer who started her career as a musician in 2003. She was a member of an all-girl group called EMETE, which had hit songs like Dance For Me. When she went solo, she released more songs like Party Tonight and Rock Me ft MI.
When she went into acting, she landed the lead character ‘Monica’ on Tinsel. She also starred in several movies such as Journey To Self, Everything In Between, And The Wind Came and more. She’s also a producer and director working on several films including Public Property, Everything In Between, and Journey To Self.
5. Ayo Lijadu as Christopher St. John
Ayodele Cyril Lijadu is a veteran actor who started acting in 1975 at WMTV/WMBS, the first radio/television station in Nigeria, located in Ibadan. He started with radio and TV weekly series like Aduke Hotel. After studying Theatre Arts at the University of Ife, he featured in several stage productions.
He joined the cast of Tinsel in 2015 as ‘St. John’, after not getting a role at the initial auditions. Lidaju has starred in movies like Chief Daddy and Chimamanda Adichie’s Half Of A Yellow Sun and Shijuwomi. He has also involved himself in politics. In 2017, Ayo Lijadu declared his intention to run for presidency under the flagship of the Kowa political party and regularly voiced his opinions on issues concerning the country.
6. Bimbo Manuel as Dan Ade-Williams
Manuel began his career in 1985 as a broadcaster at Ogun State Broadcasting Corporation (OGBC). He later moved to Ogun State Television (OGTV) before commencing his acting career in 1986.
He is the star of such hit movies as Tango With Me, Sitanda, Esohe, Lotana, Irapada, October 1, Torn, Banana Island Ghost, The Governor, Heaven’s Hell, Broken, 4th Republic, and countless television series and soaps, including Checkmate, Castle and Castle, Gidi Up and The Governor.
7. Charles Ujomu as Frank
Charles Onyejebolise Ujomu started his career in entertainment as a model at age 16. He’s worked with several brands such as MTN, Close Up, TomTom, and more. He has also represented several brands both at home and abroad.
He began his acting career when he was cast for the role of ‘Frank’ on Tinsel. He is also known for his role as ‘Bassey’ on the Africa Magic crime hit series, Brethren. He has featured in several TV series and movies.
8. Chris Attoh as Kwame Mensah
Christopher Keith Nii Attoh popularly known as Chris Attoh is a Ghanaian actor, film director, on-air personality, television presenter, and producer. He started on radio in stations like Groove FM, Choice FM, and later Capital Radio in Kumasi, Ghana. He later ventured on to TV hosting a request show called One Touch. He was also a link presenter for Big Brother Africa 1 and 2 for Ghana.
He is best known as ‘Kwame Mensah’ in the Nigerian soap opera Tinsel. He has also appeared on TV shows like Shuga, Fifty – the series and has starred in several movies including Life and Living It, Six Hours to Christmas, Scorned, Love and War, Sinking Sands, A Soldier’s Story, Lotana, Perfect Picture, Sylvia and many more.
Attoh has won several movie awards which include Best Actor at the Universal Achievement Awards, Best Actor in Ghana at the City People Entertainment Awards, Best Actor at the Africa Viewers Choice Award, and Best Television Actor at the Africa Movie Academy Awards.
9. Chris Okagbue as Emil Haruna
Chris Okagbue is a Nigerian actor, model, and reality television star. He was the winner of the Gulder Ultimate Search Season 8 reality show.
His first venture into show business was as a model in 2004, when he appeared in commercials for brands like Cadbury Plc, MTN, Nigerian Breweries, Coca-Cola. He has appeared in TV series such as The Station, The Maze, Secrets and Scandals, and more.
He played the role of ‘Emil Haruna’ in Tinsel and has appeared in movies such as A Wish, 40 Days, Mummy Dearest 2: The Wedding, Swapped, The Bling Lagosians, and more.
10. Damilola Adegbite as Telema Duke
Damilola Adegbite is an actress, model, and television personality. She made her debut on television appearing in the MNet series, Tinsel playing ‘Telema Duke’.
Since then she has made stellar appearances in several movies such as Flower Girl, Isoken, Banana Island Ghost, Merry Men, Coming From Insanity, and more. She also hosted television shows like The Chartroom and Global Countdown Show on Soundcity TV.
In 2011, she won Best Actress in a TV Series at the Nigeria Entertainment Awards. Though she left Tinsel in 2012, it is undeniable that Damilola Adegbite was one of the actors that drew people to the show.
11. Dozie Onyiriuka as Freddy Ade-Williams
As one of the pioneer characters on Tinsel, Dozie has displayed consistency and most importantly growth. Joining the cast of the hit TV series in 2009, he played the role of ‘Freddy Ade-Williams’.
He has also featured in movies such as Journey To Self playing the role of ‘Zack’ and My Wife And I portraying the role of ‘Okey Akinyele’. Dozie is currently a student at Babcock University studying Mass Communication.
12. Fisayo Ajisola as Titi
Fisayo Ajisola, also known as Freezon, is a Nigerian television and film actress. She began her career in 2011 appearing on the TV series Tinsel. She played memorable characters in more TV series like Burning Spear, Nectar, This Life, Shadow, Jenifa’s Diary, and more.
She began producing movies and in 2016, released her first film, Road To Ruin. The actress also runs an NGO called Jewel Empowerment Foundation (JEF) created to empower youths through skill acquisition programmes and seminars.
13. Florence Uwaleke as Ene
Florence is an actress, writer, and producer who the work met as ‘Ene’ on Tinsel in 2008. Florence is one of the many characters whose on-screen love interest transferred off-screen as she married her co-star, Iyke Okechukwu.
Florence combines acting with production as she makes series under 1704 Productions like Open Secret 1 & 2. She also starred in films such as The Oratory and Out of Sight.
14. Funlola Aofiyebi-Raimi as Brenda Nana Mensah
Funlola Aofiyebi-Raimi, known to some as FAR, is a Nigerian actress. A graduate of Sociology from the University of Lagos, she debuted on-screen in Amaka Igwe’s film Violated. Since then she has starred in several movies such as The Figurine, Tatu, Keeping Faith, We Don’t Live Here Anymore, King of Boys, and TV shows like MTV’s Shuga, Solitaire, Doctors Quarters, Love and War, The Mr X Family Show and more.
Funlola also has a wonderful history in theatre and has appeared in several productions such as Bayo Awala’s ‘The Mansion’ and ‘Sing that old song for me’, Awoba Bob Manuel’s ‘Shyllock’ and ‘Vagina Monologues’. She has also been a presenter of her radio show, Touch of Spice.
She plays the role of ‘Brenda Nana Mensah’ on Tinsel and is one of the leading characters on the show. She has received several nominations at the AMAA and won the Actress of the Year at the Nigerian Broadcasters Merit Award for her role in Tinsel.
15. Funmi Holder as Amaka Okoh
Funmi Holder started her career in 2005 starring in a Nigeria/Ghana movie titled After The Promise. This was her debut in the movie industry. She got her big break in 2010 when she took the role of ‘Amaka Okoh’ in the popular M-Net soap opera Tinsel, a role she still plays to date.
Funmi Holder has also starred in films such as After The Promise, Endless Lies, My Fiance, Fated Jane, and more. She has also appeared in TV series like Super Story: Blast From The Past. She has a production company called Eropreston production where she produced her first movie called The Grudge.
16. Gbenro Ajibade as Soji Bankole
Gbenro Ajibade is an actor, presenter, and producer. . His entertainment sojourn started as a model. He’s walked runways from Arise Fashion Week to New York Fashion Week for designers like Mai Atafo, Vuitton Prince, Yomi Casual, and more.
Then he went into acting. His first venture into Nollywood started with Tinsel where he played the role of Soji Bankole. Since then, Gbenro has featured in other movies including Gbomo Gbomo Express, The Wages, 30s, Cold Calm Steve, and more. He’s also appeared in TV series like Jenifa’s Diary.
He has gotten awards for his acting and modelling alike. He won The most outstanding actor model in the 2011 Nigerian Model Achievers Awards and he was the winner of The most outstanding actor model in the Nigerian Model Achievers Awards.
17. Gideon Okeke as Phillip Ade Williams
Gideon Okeke is an actor, model, and TV Presenter. He came to the public eye in 2006 when he appeared as a contestant on the first edition of Big Brother Nigeria.
In 2008, Gideon joined the cast of the M-Net TV series Tinsel as ‘Phillip Ade Williams’. He has also appeared in the South African TV series, Jacob’s Cross and Iroko TV series, Poisoned Bait.
Gideon branched out into film and played remarkable characters in movies such as Relentless, A Place In The Star, When Love Happens, 93 Days, and Gbomo Gbomo Express.
Gideon is no stranger to the theatre as he has featured in stage productions including Fractures, an adaptation of Arthur Miller’s A View From The Bridge, Fela: Arrest The Music, and Saro The Musical.
18. Ibrahim Suleiman as Damini
He is a Nigerian actor, graphic designer, architect, and dancer. He danced for 11 years before venturing into Nollywood. He was part of the crew, Soul Quest, who won the first Malta Guinness Street Dance National Championship in 2008. He had also appeared in several TV commercials for different brands like MTN, GT Bank amongst others.
Tinsel was his first acting job, where he played the role of ‘Damini’, the love interest of Bimpe Adekoya, and it shot him into the limelight. He went on to appear in movies such as E.V.E, Up North, and Namaste Wahala.
He recently hosted the Africa Magic reality TV Series, Love Come Back.
19. Ike Okechukwu as Chuks
Okechukwu started in Nollywood in 2002, appearing on the kiddies show called Funtime. After that, he made appearances on the soap, Wetin Dey, which endeared some Nigerians to his slightly younger-looking face.
He joined Tinsel, embodying the role of ‘Chuks’, who many Nigerians related to because of his earnest drive to make a good life for himself and his family. It was on Tinsel that he also met his spouse who, coincidentally, also played his love interest on the show.
20. Ireti Doyle as Sheila Ade-Williams
Ireti Doyle is an actor, presenter, writer, and producer. Her career cuts across TV, stage, and film. Ireti produced and presented her lifestyle show, Oge with Iretiola, for 10 years and she hosted several TV shows like Today on STV.
Ireti started acting in 1995 with her first role in the TV series Riddles & Hope. She has since gone on to portray memorable characters on shows like Fuji House Of Commotion, Dowry, and Gidi Up. She has also featured in movies such as Sitanda, The Wedding Party 1 & 2, The Arbitration, Merry Men, Fifty, Across The Niger, Torn, and many more.
She has gone on to star in other TV series such as Circle of Three and currently plays the role of Sheila on the MNet hit series, Tinsel. The talented actor is not without accolades as she won Best 1Actress in a lead role at the 2014 Nollywood Movie Awards and has been nominated for several awards.
She also has stage credits which include The Vagina Monologues, Olorunbi The Musical and Hear Word, and The Wives.
21. Kalu Ikeagwu as Alhaji Abubakar aka ‘Masters’
Kalu Egbui Ikeagwu is a British-Nigerian actor. Nigerian first met him in 2015 on the hit TV series, Domino. He went on to star in other series like Doctors’ Quarters and 168. He has featured in many films including 30 Days, The Wrong Woman, Distance Between, Second Chances, Between Two Worlds, Lionheart, Lady Buckit and the Motley Mopsters, the Irish film production Rapt In Éire, and many more.
Not one to limit himself, Kali is also a stage actor. His first stage performance was in Put Out The Houselights by Esiaba Ironsi. He performed in some of Nigeria’s memorable classics such as ‘Major Lejoka Brown’ in Ola Rotimi’s, Our Husband Has Gone Mad Again and as ‘RIP’ in Esiaba Irobi’s Hangmen Also Die.
Kalu plays the role of Alhaji Abubakar aka ‘Masters’ in Tinsel.
22. Leonora Okine as Angela
Leonora is a Ghanian actress who started her acting career in 2006 playing the role of ‘Natasha’ in the TV series Different Shades of Blue. She has starred in several movies such as Insurgents, Blood and Chocolate, Beautiful Monster, and more.
Due to her talents, she got cast in 2012 to play the role of ‘Angela Dede’ on Tinsel. She took over from Matilda Obaseki who had played the role for five years, joining other Ghanian acts like Chris Attoh on the show.
23. Linda Ejiofor as Bimpe Adekoya
Linda Ihuoma Ejiofor is a Nigerian actress and model. Linda debuted on television with her role as ‘Bimpe Adekoya’ on Mnet’s series Tinsel.
Since then, she has appeared in movies such as A Soldier’s Story, Kpali, Secret Room, The Meeting, and more. She’s also been a part of TV series like Rumour Has It, Flat 3B, and Dowry.
She’s been nominated for several awards, and in 2015, she won Best Supporting Actress for her role in The Meeting at the Africa Magic Viewers Choice Awards.
24. Matilda Obaseki as Angela Dede
Matilda Obaseki-Mozia is a Nigerian actress and scriptwriter. Her acting debut was on Tinsel playing the role of ‘Angela Dede’. Matilda drew a lot of attention to herself for her portrayal of Angela – a character that allowed the show the opportunity of showcasing mental health challenges without being insensitive about the issue.
She has appeared in movies such as A Place In The Stars, Sunshine, Dream House, and Children of Mud. In 2017, she got a nomination for Best Supporting Actress of the Year at the City People Movie Award.
25. Osas Ighodaro as Adanna
Osas is a Nigerian-American actor, model, presenter, and producer. In 2010, she won the Miss Black USA Pageant and then founded The Joyful Joy Foundation, raising funds and awareness towards the fight against Malaria.
When she moved back to Nigeria, she joined the cast of Tinsel playing the role of ‘Adanna’. Since then, she has appeared on television series such as Meet The Browns, 12 Steps To Recovery, MTV Shuga, Assistant Madams, and more.
She also showed her love and talent for theatre and has been a part of several productions including Fela and The Kalakuta Queens, Revenge of A King, For Coloured Girls, and more. She has starred in many movies, among them are Gbomo Gbomo Express, Bling Lagosians, The Department, New Money, Little Drops of Happy, Ratnik, and more.
Osas is not without accolades for her prowess. She won Actress of The Year at the 2014 ELOY Awards and Supporting Actress of The Year at the 2016 Nigeria Entertainment Awards amongst others.
26. Taiwo Obileye as Dikibo
Taiwo Obileye was a household name in the ‘70s and ‘80s. An ace broadcaster with the network service of Nigerian Television Authority (NTA) for 35 years.
When he ventured into acting, he became famous for his role on Tinsel as ‘Dikibo’, and in films like Chief Daddy, Fifty, The Governor, The Vacation and Tales of Eve: Thanks for Coming, and more.
27. Tomi Odunsi-Fadina as Salewa Ade-Williams
Tomi Odunsi is an actress, singer, and songwriter. In 2013, she premiered her debut single as an artist titled I Wan Blow. She released her 6-track EP titled Santa Cruise in 2017. Odunsi also has credits as a songwriter when she contributed to several TV shows like Urban Lounge TV Show theme song, Africa Magic 2013 Christmas Theme Song and In The Music movie soundtrack.
With her roots in theatre, she has been part of several productions such as Oluronbi The Musical, Fractures, Saro The Musical, and more. Playing the role of ‘Salewa’, on Tinsel, was her first foray into TV. She has since then starred in movies like Render To Caesar, Runs, and In The Music.
28. Udoka Oyeka as Tsav
Udoka Oyeka is an actor, director, and filmmaker. He released his first feature film titled ZR-7 (The Red House Seven) in cinemas nationwide (Nigeria) in 2011. It was later nominated for Best Child Actor at the Africa Movie Academy Awards (AMAA).
He followed with the short film titled Down and Out which had 3 nominations including Best Short Film at the 2013 AfricaMagic Viewers Choice Awards (AMVCA). He has directed and produced several movies including Price of Admission, Three Thieves, Living Funeral, No Good Turn, and more.
Oyeka’s films enjoyed screening both internationally and at local film festivals including Int’l Film Festival Rotterdam, European Independent Film Festival, Durban Int’l Film Festival, New York African Film Festival, and much more.
Udoka is well-known for playing the role ‘Tsav’ on the Africa Magic hit series Tinsel. He has also starred in several movies such as When Love Happens, No Good Turn, Sylvia, Coming From Insanity, and more.
29. Victor Olaotan as Fred Ade-Willams
Victor Olaotan is a veteran Nigerian actor. The 69-year-old actor began his career at the University of Ibadan where he joined a theatre group. He joined the cast of Tinsel in 2018 and is well known for playing the lead role as ‘Fred Ade-Willams’ in the long-running drama, Tinsel. He has also starred in movies such as Tomo Tomo, Lovestruck, Remember Me, and Three Wise Men.
Olaotan halted his screen time in 2016 after he was involved in a ghastly accident on his way from a film set. In 2018, Femi Otedola footed his medical bill to prevent the amputation of his legs. The actor still needs medical care and is unable to take on the big screens.
He passed away on August 26, 2021, at 69 after a long battle with traumatic brain injury.
30. Yewande Lawal as Shoshanna
Yewande Lawal-Simpson is an actress who made her debut in 2009 where she appeared on the TV series, Living in Lagos. She featured in the M-Net series Tinsel as ‘Shoshanna’. She has also starred in films and movies such as The Auction, Journey To Self, Mid-Life Blues, The Set-Up, Ojukokoro, and more.
She’s also well known for her characters in Jemeji, Our Best Friend’s Wedding, Red TV’s The Men’s Club, and Africa Magic’s House 31 and Riona.
31. Aderonke Oshinjobi as Producer
Aderonke started as a Wardrobe Assistant on the set of a Yoruba film in 2006 after which she got a job as a P.A (Production Assistant) on the set of Behind The Siege produced by Tade Ogidan. At this point, she realised she wanted to be in the administrative arm of production.
She has worked on several commercials, documentaries, and award shows and over the years grew through the ranks. She is currently the producer of M-Net’s popular TV soap opera, Tinsel, which is at present, in its 13th season with over 3,000 episodes. She has also produced series like The Johnsons, Zone 222, Mr X Family Show and several movies.
Tinsel won the Nollywood Award for Best TV series in 2014, and in 2017 won the AMVCA award for Africa Magic Best in-house TV series. This is a testament to her invaluable contribution as a Producer.
32. George Sunom-Kura as Technical Director
George has worked in multiple capacities as an experienced multi-cam director and producer in numerous productions. He worked in several positions with Common Grounds Productions, a company based in America on its drama series, The Station.
He worked as a writer with M-Net’s series Tinsel, then first assistant director, and now technical director. He also worked as a director on M-Net’s Battle Ground series. He previously worked for two seasons as a technical director for Discovery Channel’s premier TV show in Nigeria, ‘Discovery +234’.
He also produced and directed ‘Hotroom’, a Showmax Original for BBNaija Season 4. He runs a production company with his wife and they’ve produced shows together.
33. Joe Oamen as Sound Mixer
Joe is a sound mixer with over 14 years of experience and training. He started at AV.com as a sound mixer in 2006. Over the years, he has received several training programmes including M-Net South Africa Training in Joburg. He then worked on MTN Project Fame and then started on M-Net’s TV series, Tinsel in 2007, where he has been working as the sound Mixer till date.
34. Sampson Afolabi-Johnson as Director
Sampson is a storyteller who rolled his first frame in 2005. He has directed several episodes of soap operas, game shows, reality shows, advertorials, movies, and more. He started his directorial training under the late Amaka Igwe in 2003/2004 and worked closely with Antar Laniyan.
He’s worked on several projects including Africa Magic’s Hustle, Battleground, Brethren, Looking For Love – a dating reality show, Tinsel, and more. Sampson has also worked on several short films, feature-length titles, and more.
35. Sunny Darlington Ralph Nnebe as Line Producer
Popularly known as Dalyn Senator, started as an actor in several movies before he joined M-Net Africa as a production assistant for Tinsel Season 1 in 2008. He would go on to be the production coordinator, production manager, and then line producer for Tinsel.
He has worked on several movies in production managerial capacity including Last Outcast, Small Chops and he produced his movie, 48 Hours. In addition to his production skills, he coordinated Nigeria Music Award 2007, MTN Project fame season 1, and AMVCA Red Carpet Event 2016 – 2020.