ALI NUHU’S BIOGRAPHY: LIFE, AGE, FAMILY, NETWORTH AND CAREER OF NIGERIA’S MOST ACCLAIMED ACTOR
Ali Nuhu Mohammed often referred to as the “King of Kannywood or Sarki Ali” by the media. He is a Nigerian actor, director, producer, script writer, singer, dancer and instagram brand ambassador.[1]
He is known for his popular and prominent role in the Hausa movie industry, recognized as Kannywood. He has also starred in a good number of English language movies in the Nollywood. He is popular in movies because of his ability to portray a variety of characters.
Ali Nuhu has not only appeared in over 500 films, but has won various outstanding awards for his work, he is the most awarded and most followed actor in Kannywood.
In addition to his very successful acting career, Ali Nuhu is a dedicated social activist and a philanthropist using his platform to promote social change and advocate for the rights of marginalized groups.
But how did Ali Nuhu grow so great cutting across several movie industries, switching roles from romantic leads to villian? What is his driving force?
Table of Contents
Biography of Ali Nuhu
Ali Nuhu, a devout muslim, and an hausa by tribe. He is from Balanga local government area in Gombe state. He was born on March 15, 1974 in the north-eastern Nigeria, Maiduguri, Borno State, while he grew up in Kano and Jos.
His father, Alhaji Nuhu Poloma is a businessman, and the former chairman of the People’s Democratic Party (PDP) in Gombe state, He is from Balanga, a local government area in Gombe state, he passed away in 2020.
His mother, Hajia Fatima Karderam Digema is a caterer, headmistress and school teacher. She is from Bama, a local government in Borno State.
Aji Nuhu has claimed, that his mother was greatly invested in his dream to become an actor, but sadly she passed away in 1999, same year he had his acting debut.[1]
Ali Nuhu’s age
Ali Nuhu’s age is 49 years old as of 2023. On March 15, 2023, he took to his instagram handle to celebrate his birthday with his fans.
He captioned “They say it takes a very long time to become young”, with plenteous pour in of birthday wishes from his fan.[2]
Ali Nuhu Educational Background
In 1929, Ali Nuhu attended Riga Special Elementary School for his primary education, and in 1986 he started his secondary education in Government Secondary Commercial School, Kano state and furthered in 1989 in Science Secondary School Dawakin Tofa earning his senior secondary school certificate.
In 1997, he was awarded a bachelor degree in geography in University of Jos, Plateau state. He served his fatherland, Nigeria in 1998 in the National Youth Service Corps in Ibadan, Oyo state. Ali Nuhu did not stop at this level, he proceeded to University of Southern California to study Transmedia Storytelling, travelled to India to participate in a film training at the Asian School of Media Studies in Noida, New Dehli.[3] This sums up his ability to take on any role effectively.
In October 2018, he was conferred a Doctorate degree in Entrepreneurship and Youth Development from ISM Adonai University, Benin Republic.
How did Ali Nuhu break through in the Entertainment Industry?
“It wasn’t easy initially because when I started out, most parents were not comfortable with their wards going into a profession as this” said Ali Nuhu in a recent interview with TheGuardian. He talked about how the profession was in a bad light in his early days. But he persisted, “…i believed in the profession and i simply decided to stick to it”, he said.
During the interview, he spilled the secret to his acting success as making capacity building his focus rather than dwelling in just film making. He went further to talk about his experience while studying Transmedia Storytelling in University of Southern California, he described it as an eye opener that changed his mindset, that brought him into the reality of taking roles beyond the story lines of theme of love and marriage, to more educative story lines that serves an an advocate for the society, sensitising them. When he got back from his studies, he produced a film on drug abuse, insecurity and the country’s violent extremism.
Ali Nuhu has also claimed that his drive towards his successful career is choosing passion above gaining popularity and all the luxury in the world. He said “Your drive should be picking the very big scripts, irrespective of whether the role you are playing will fetch money or not ”. He ended the interview emphasising on the issue of having passion for what you do.[4]
Ali Nuhu acting career
Ali Nuhu sarted his acting career while studying at University of Jos, Plateau state. He started by staring in local television dramas.
In 2019, Ali Nuhu celebrated his 20th anniversary in the entertainment industry having starred in about 500 films. He made his first movie appearance in 1999 with the film Abin sirri ne.
He is best known for his role in Sangaya, the higghest watched Hausa film at the time. He is also known for his roles in the movies, Mansoor (2017), Alaqa (2021) and Sitande(2006).[5]
Some of the notable movies he starred in include:
| Year | Movie | Role | Writer | Director | Some notable Actors he starred alongside |
| 2017 | Mansoor | Abubakar | Jameel Nafseen | Ali Nuhu | Umar M. Shereef,Sadiq Ahmed,Asiya Barade |
| 2006 | Sitanda | Sitanda | Richard Mofe-Damijo,Fidel Akpom,Emma Ayalogu | Izu Ojukwu | Bimbo Manuel,Wale Adebayo,Akume Akume |
| 2019 | Karki Manta Dani | Abdul | Ali Nuhu | Ali Nuhu | Zahra’u Abdurrahman,Haruna Aliyu,Ibrahim Bala |
| 2022 | Almajiri | Alhaji | Smart Conard | Toka McBaror | Alex Ekubo,Ayo Makun,Asabe Madaki |
| 2022 | Flawsome | Senator Jubril | Kesiena Obue | Tola Odunsi | Toyin Abraham,Ini Dima Okojie,Bisola Aiyeola |
| 2023 | The Trade | Bukar | Jadesola Osiberu | Jadesola Osiberu | Chiwetalu Agu,Blossom Chukwujekwu,Rita Dominic |
| 2021 | Amina | Danjuma | Okey Ogunjiofor,Frank Chinedu Uba | Izu Ojukwu | Lucy Ameh,Paul Adubazi,Usmaan Tijani Abubakar |
| 2017 | Banana Island Ghost | Mr. King | Sherif Ahlan Aminu | Falalu A. Dorayi | Sani Mu’azu,Asabe Madaki,Ali Nuhu Abdullahi |
| 2012 | Blood and Henna | Nuru Akilu | Kenneth Gyang | Ibrahim Daddy,Nafisat Abdullahi | |
| 2023 | She must be obeyed | Ahmed | Abdulasheed Bello | Funke Akindele | Funke Akindele,Shaffy Bello,Nancy Isime,Adunni Ade |
[5]
Ali Nuhu has also written and directed a number of movies including, Kamanni (2022), Alaqa (2021), Karki Manta Dani (2019), Mansoor (2017), Kawaye (2019), Fati (2022), Halacci (2015) and Mariya (2017).[5] Alaqa (2021), a series, is currently still showing on Ali Nuhu’s page of Youtube.
Photo credit: @realalinuhu: Instagram
Ali Nuhu awards and nominations
In addition to Ali Nuhu being one of the most respected actor, scriptwriter and director both in Kannywood and Nollywood, he has also received critical acclaim for his work. He has received numerous awards throughout his career.
Some of his accolades includes:
- African movie academy award (AMAA) for Best film in African language, 2018 (Mansoor).[6]
- African movie academy award (AMAA) for Best actor in a supporting role, 2013 (Blood and Henna).[6]
- African movie academy award (AMAA) for Most promising actor, 2007 (Sitinda).[6]
- Best of nollywood award for special recognition award, 2017.[7]
- Kannywood award for best actor (popular), 2015 .[8]
- 19th African Film Awards for Most outstanding Actor, 2015.[1]
- Best of nollywood award for best actor (Hausa), 2015.[9]
- Arewa Music and Movie Awards for Pride of Kannywood, 2014.[1]
- City People Entertainment Awards Kannywood Face (2014).[1]
Ali Nuhu Wife and Children
Ali Nuhu married his wife, Maimuna Garba Ja Abdulkadir on 15 March, 2003. According to him, he met on the set of the movie “Wasila” in the year 2000. They have two children now, Fatima Nuhu and Ahmad Nuhu.
In 2014, sources had it that Ali Nuhu was planning to take a second wife. Years passed by he did not come out to accept or refute the claim, till August, 2023, in an interview with Daily trust, he said “Concerning adding another wife, the way I look at marriage is that as long as you and your wife have been living peacefully together, and also think that you can’t be fair if you bring another wife, or that marrying a second wife could disrupt some things, it’s better you continue to stay with only one wife“. He added that, he has been monogamously married for 20 years, even though polygamy is allowed in Islam.[11]
Currently Ali Nuhu is legally married to one wife.
Ali Nuhu Net worth
Ali Nuhu is one of the most influential actors in Kannywood and Nollywood with an estimated net worth of $2million USD dollars. Apart from his successful acting career, which is the major source of the abundance of wealth he has acquired, He also has other gainful sources that add to his mass of wealth. He is a social activist, and philanthropist. He has also had several endorsement deals worth about N30 Million and has also influenced for a number of brands on insatgram including, Yale, Sumal, Vital, Checkers, power oil, MC Dream Concept and Vento Furnitures.
Ali Nuhu also garnerd some substantial amount of his wealth from singing and being faetured in songs. The songs he featured in include: Ba Kyau by ClassiQ, he was featured alongside Flex, CHIZADANI by Abdul D One, he was featured alongside Radeeya Jibril, Adamsy by Adam A Zango and Momee Gombe by Nayi Mafarki.
Is Ali Nuhu Multilingual?
Yes,Ali Nuhu is Multilingual, he speaks Hausa, English and Arabic.
Ali Nuhu death rumour
The talented actor was rumoured to be killed by arm robbers in 2015. This raised a lot of questions from his fans, as they were worried.
However, he debunked the news in an interview with BBC Hausa, saying he was heart and healthy. He said “I am good and healthy”. There has never been any robbery at my residence”.[12]
Is Ali Nuhu quitting his acting career?
In a recent interview Ali Nuhu had with daily trust he mentioned that he had no interest in quitting his acting career even if he is at his end. He said “When I started acting in movies, I was a young man appearing as a lover, singing and dancing. Then I was transformed by age to being a father. So, gradually, I’ve been taking up different roles as conditioned by nature, allowing other people to occupy roles I previously occupied.
“But now that I usually take the role of father, I am already at the end. But I don’t have plans to stop acting “.[11] Currently, Ali Nuhu is still acting and recently featured in the movie series, She must be obeyed, currently showing on Prime
Ali Nuhu Social media
- Instagram: @realalinuhu
- Twitter/X: Ali Nuhu
- Facebook: Ali Nuhu Mohammed
- YouTube: Ali Nuhu
Conclusion
Ali Nuhu Mohammed is a versatile actor, comfortable in various genres, from drama to comedy, he has proven that anyone can do anything as long as you set your mind on it. He has as well garnered several accomplishments to his name. An inspiration to young people with a dream of acting someday.
References
- “Ali Nuhu”. Wikipedia. Retrieved 3 October, 2023.
- “@realalinuhu”. (March 15, 2023). Instagram. Retrieved 3 October, 2023.
- Adrianna Simwa. (November 28, 2022). “Ali Nuhu’s biography: age, family, net worth, house, cars, and career”. Legit.ng. Retrieved 3 October, 2023.
- Ijeoma Thomas-odia. (April 1, 2023). “Ali Nuhu: I am very careful of roles I choose because of my audience”. TheGuardian. Retrieved 3 October, 2023.
- “Ali Nuhu”. IMDb. Retrieved 3 October, 2023.
- “Ali Nuhu Award”. IMDb. Retrieved 3 October, 2023.
- “2017 Best of Nollywood Award”. Wikipedia. Retrieved 3 October, 2023
- “2015 Kannywood awards”.Wikipedia. Retrieved 3 October, 2023
- “2013 Best of Nollywood Award”. Wikipedia. Retrieved 3 October, 2023
- “Ali Nuhu: Biography Wife, Age, Movies, Biography & Net Worth”. Schoolings. Retrieved 3 October, 2023
- Aliyu Jalal. (August 25, 2023). “Why Hausa Movies Are Yet To Feature On Netflix – Ali Nuhu”. Dailytrust. Retrieved 3 October, 2023.
- “Profile: Ali Nuhu, ‘King of Nollywood’, ‘Sarki Ali’ “. (March 7, 2023). NewWireNGR. Retrieved 3 October, 2023.