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THURSDAY MOVIES
By Amara Iwuala
Photo Credits: JimmyLawanson Studios and Aham Ibeleme
Nkiru ‘Kiki’ Omeili obtained an MBBS degree, but was utterly unfulfilled working as a doctor, so she followed her gut response. Almost a decade after she took that rare decision, she discusses her career in Nollywood.
Kiki Omeili is an actor, TV presenter and radio host, who attended the Fountain Nursery and Primary Schools in Surulere, Lagos, before proceeding to the Federal Government Girls’ College, FGGC, Benin City, for her secondary education. Thereafter, she studied Medicine and Surgery at the College of Medicine, University of Lagos, graduating in 2006.
She became restless after practising Medicine for less than three years, seeking a career in media and entertainment in order to satisfy “the hunger for artistic expression.” She says she realised she really wanted to do entertainment, “so I asked a friend of mine to send me audition notices, which he did, and I started attending auditions and voilà, I am here.
I won’t be someone who was around and then disappeared. I want to show people that acting is…. authentic
“I’ve always been a TV and film lover. It should probably have been the obvious path to follow in life. My love for films was just unreal. I’d stay up for hours on end, watching TV, sometimes until daybreak.”
Are her folks not miffed that she ditched her medical practice for a career in entertainment? “No, not at all. They saw it coming and have been very supportive from day one. I practised medicine actively for about two and a half years before becoming an actor. I say “actively” because I still, on some level, practise until today – be it pro bono health work or outreach programmes.”
Omeili began her career in 2011 when she hosted the only edition of the Dance 234 Reality TV Show produced by KOGA Entertainment in Lagos. Then, she played a role in Behind the Smile, a TV Series, but it was her role as Titi Haastrup in Married, but Living Single; directed by Tunde Olaoye; that shot her into prominence, fetching her a couple of awards. She also presented a health show on radio called Balancing Life. It was an interactive health awareness show where she dissected a health topic and people called in to ask questions.
“In my early days, there was the challenge of acceptance. Whenever people heard 
that I was a doctor, they lost interest. It was almost like “what are you doing here?” So, it was difficult to get people to give me a chance initially.”
On what she hopes to achieve as an actor, Kiki affirms: “I’ll like to make my mark in the industry, so in the end, I won’t be someone who was around and then disappeared. I want to show people that acting is an authentic profession, a career that people choose and not something they are forced to do because they lack options.
“Against that backdrop, I am delighted every time my work is recognised and appreciated, be it a nomination, actually winning an award or when a good old someone walks up to me to commend my work.”
Kiki says people should always believe in themselves, “believe in your dreams and don’t let anybody tell you what you can or cannot do.”
After all, she has not been to a proper film school, though she has bagged several certificates from acting workshops.
For her, “Nollywood has grown in leaps and bounds and is still growing. The progress that it has made despite challenges like lack of finance/funding, proper structure and power is very admirable. And I know it can only get better.”
Some of Kiki Omeili’s works:
Lekki Wives directed by Blessing Effiom Egbe
Behind the Smile directed by Tunde Olaoye
Married, but Living Single directed by Tunde Olaoye
Sting directed by Stanlee Ohikhuare
Oblivious directed by Stanlee Ohikhuare
Kpians directed by Stanlee Ohikhuare
Public Property directed by Tope Alake
Friends and Lovers directed by Yemi Morafa
Same Difference directed by Ehizojie Ojesebholo
Next Door to Happiness directed by Uzodinma Okpechi
Consenting Adults directed by Soji Ogunnaike
+234 directed by Soji Ogunnaike
In My Father’s House directed by Jimi Odumosu
Common Man directed by Stanlee Ohikhuare
2four7 directed by Efetobore Ayeteni
Trials of Igho directed by Chris Eneaji
Game Plan directed by Chris Eneaji
Gbomo-Gbomo Express directed by Walter Banger
Amiable directed by Stanlee Ohikhuare
Mrs. and Mrs. Johnson directed by Alexandra Hul
A Place called Happy directed by Lowladee
The Tenant directed by Iyke Okogwu
The Antique directed by DJ Tee and Darasen Richards
Living Positive directed by Toba Oduwaiye
Jimi Bendel directed by Ehizojie Ojesebholo
Stuck in Perfect directed by Emmanuel Akaemeh
Couple of Days directed by Tolu Tanner
Finding Love directed by Kabat Esosa Egbon, Kholisile Vuqi and Ike Nnaebue
Some of Kiki Omeili’s Awards
2012 African Film Awards, UK: Best Supporting Actress
2015 Golden Icon Academy Movie Awards (GIAMA), USA: Best Supporting Actress
2015 International Short Film Festival (InShort), Nigeria: Best Actress
2016 City People Entertainment Awards: Best Supporting Actress
2016 International Short Film Festival (InShort), Nigeria: Best Screenplay
2016 Lagos 30 under 40 Awards: Best Actress
2017 MATA Awards, Nigeria: Best actress
Kiki Omeili’s other Nominations
2014 Exquisite Ladies of the Year (ELOY) Awards: Best Actress in a TV Series
2014 SCREAM Awards: Best Actress
2015 City People Entertainment Awards: Best Supporting Actress
2015 TUSH Awards: Best Actress
2016 ELOY Awards: Best Actress
2016 Berlinale International Film Festival: Best Actress in a Short Film
2016 SCREAM Awards: Best Actress
2016 Golden Movie Awards, Ghana: Best Actress
