These are the most iconic Nollywood mothers who played the role of mother — from Eniola Salami to Sista — and shaped my perception of motherhood on screen.
Mothers in Nollywood have never been background characters. She is often the heartbeat of many stories, shaping how we laugh, cry, and even argue about what it truly means to be a mother. From fierce matriarchs to hilarious aunties and relatable modern mums, Nollywood mothers mirror people we know in real life.
As part of our Motherhood Special, I’m celebrating these unforgettable women on screen who shaped our perceptions of motherhood, one powerful performance at a time.
Eniola Salami from “King of Boys”
Eniola Salami, played by Sola Sobowale, was the first time I truly saw motherhood intertwined with power. She was a fierce, politically ambitious woman who was often intimidating .
Beneath her character’s ruthlessness was a woman who loved her children deeply. A love that shaped many of her decisions — sometimes for better, sometimes for worse. Eniola’s motherhood was laced with power, loyalty, and heartbreak. She showed us that being a mother is not always about softness. Sometimes it’s about protecting your own in a brutal world. Or at least, trying your best to.
Sista from “Sista”
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Kehinde Bankole’s portrayal of Sista struck a different chord in me. She showed us a mother many women recognised immediately: the single mum who has to hold it all together. The mothers who somehow managed to smile at their children, no matter how heavy the weight got. Sista’s sacrifices and her constant push to make ends meet painted motherhood as it truly is — tough. From her, I learned that mothers are not invincible, but their strength lies in showing up every day, even when it feels impossible.
Read also: The beautiful, complicated ways we mirror our mothers
Mummy Tiwa from “Skinny Girl in Transit”
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Mummy Tiwa (Ngozi Nwosu) became the relatable, modern Nigerian mum who was equal parts loving, prayerful, and overbearing. Many fans saw their own mothers in her, reminding them of the aunties and mums. The ones who never tire of asking, “When will you marry?.” Beyond the comedic tension, Mummy Tiwa showed us a mother who wanted the best for her daughters. Even if her efforts sometimes came across as overbearing. She demonstrated how mothers often struggle to balance traditional expectations with the changing realities of their children’s lives.
Mama G from countless Nollywood classics
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No conversation about iconic Nollywood mothers is complete without Patience Ozokwor, popularly known as Mama G. From the early 2000s, she became the face of the fiery, no-nonsense, sometimes villainous mother. For me, she represented the extremes of motherhood — the ways love, fear, and survival can sometimes push mothers to act in morally grey ways.
Whether she was fiercely protecting her children or pushing them to extremes, Mama G shaped our cultural understanding of how far a Nigerian mother would go. She made us laugh, cry, and sometimes shake our heads, but ultimately reminded us of how much is at stake when you’re raising a family.
Lady Obianuju Onwuka from “The Wedding Party”
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Ireti Doyle’s portrayal of Lady Obianuju Onwuka in “The Wedding Party” is unforgettable, not just because of her sharp tongue but also because of her impeccable style. She carried herself with elegance and authority, reminding me of those Nigerian mums who always looked put together, no matter the occasion.
However, beyond the glamour, she was also fiercely protective of her family, sometimes intimidating. She was the mother who would do whatever it took to safeguard her family’s reputation. Watching her made me realise that motherhood isn’t only about sacrifice and struggle. It can also be about having self-esteem, grace, and the confidence to show up in the world looking and feeling your best.
From the fierce Eniola Salami to the religious Mummy Tiwa, and the stylish Obianuju, Nollywood has given us mothers who reflect our own homes, communities, and imaginations. These characters remind us that motherhood in Nigeria is never one-dimensional. It is love, sacrifice, laughter, and sometimes conflict. But above all, it is powerful.
