Genevieve Nnaji

Ace Nollywood actress, Genevieve Nnaji started her acting career as a kid actress in the then-popular television soap opera Ripples at the age of eight. At her tender age, she got major endorsements from many brands like Pronto and Omo detergent and by the age of 19, she had become the rave of the moment and many years after through the movie Most Wanted.

However, before carving a niche for herself and rising to limelight, she played minor roles in many flicks. Genevieve grew up in Lagos, the commercial capital of Nigeria. The fourth of eight children, she was brought up in a middle-class environment. Her father worked as an engineer and her mother worked as a teacher. She attended Methodist Girls College, Yaba before heading to the University of Lagos. While at the university, Genevieve began auditioning for acting jobs among the many Nollywood productions.

With over 80 movies, she launched her own clothing line named “St Genevieve” in 2008, which according to reports, donates a percentage of its proceeds to charity.She reduced the movie roles she featured in because, according to her, she did not want to make appearance in any mediocre production. However, one cannot point out if it was the proceeds from the business that informed the decision or her taste.

Her label has been relaunched, as shecollaborates with Jumia Nigeria as a major distributor for her designs.

D'banj

D'banj the African Union declared 2014 as 'The Year of Agriculture and Food Security in Africa' during the 22nd summit of African Union Heads of State and Government who sought to 'Transform Africa's Agriculture by Harnessing Opportunities for Inclusive Growth and Sustainable Development' as its theme.

During the summit, popular Nigerian singer and song-writer Dapo Oyebanjo, aka D'banj was named one of the ambassadors as well as other artistes. He released a song entitled 'Do agric, it pays,' to urge African leaders to commit 10 per cent of their national budgets to agriculture.

D'banj's song was reportedly launched as part of a South Africa-based civil society organisation 'The ONE' campaign effort to push political leaders to adopt better policies that would boost productivity, increase incomes and reduce poverty.

D'banj who launched Koko garri in 2013 to the surprise of his fans said during the launch that there were massive untapped business opportunities in agriculture that could create jobs for millions of Africans on and off the farm.

'I want Africans to know that farming is not only the foundation of the economy, farming is also cool.'I believe that if the needed attention is given to agriculture, we Africans will not only feed ourselves, but also the rest of the world,'' D'banj said at the launch.

According to him, while other African leaders have made statements of goodwill, currently only eight countries have kept their promise to invest 10 per cent of their national budgets in agriculture.

The launch of `Do Agriculture' in Addis Ababa was part of the civil society's effort to push African leaders to increase spending at the 22nd AU Assembly of Heads of State that declared 2014 the Year of Agriculture in Africa.

Speaking at the launch, The ONE Africa Director, Dr Sipho Moyo, said 70 per cent of the estimated 400 million Africans living in extreme poverty in rural areas depended on agriculture.

'Remarkably, the multiplier effect of agricultural growth in sub-Saharan Africa is estimated to be 11 times greater in reducing poverty than in other non-agriculture sectors, such as utilities and mining.'

Bisi Ibidapo Obe

Bisi Ibidapo Obe controversial Yoruba actress, Bisi Ibidapo Obe also rows her boat in the business waters as she announced that she was opening her lingerie and adult shop mid last year in Magodo Lagos. According to the actress, her lingerie shop is set to 'cater for the yearning of people in Magodo and its environs.'

On why she decided to stock sex toys, she further told an online source: 'The demand for sex toys is high, especially around Magodo more so, women have started paying special attention to their bodies and this has prompted my decision to take this route. I need to earn a daily income and I intend to sell the toys wholesale.

The sex toys are not exposed in the open. So customers have no reason to be ashamed or afraid to make purchases. The toys are kept in a remote section of my store. Their privacy is protected and many people who are interested in these toys want to remain unnamed which I respect a lot.'

During the official opening of the store, the actress was supported by various celebrities, musicians and socialites. According to reports, this is not the actress's first time in business as she is also known by all as a firm investor, who owns a salon in Ketu and is also into rice business.

KCee

KCee 2011 was the best year yet for Nigerian musician KCee as he finally got his hit after over a decade of being in the industry with this partner Presh. Major brands struggled among themselves to endorse the 'limpopo crooner' who made lots of money.

It was however not shocking that KCee, an industrious Igbo man will not squander the 'gold' which he made in the industry as he plunged into oil and gas business. In a chat with the NetNg, KCee revealed the name of the business and why he decided to go into business 'The name of the company is 'Five Star Oil and Gas', a subsidiary of our Five Star brand.

There's actually a lot we want to go into but we are taking our time to unravel them one after the other,' KCee said. The oil and gas sector is the highest revenue grossing sector in Nigeria.

'You know the music business in Nigeria, no one can remain on top for ever, that is why one needs to be wise and put down investments that will see one through when the hits are no more coming.'

Falz

Falz Though one cannot separate fast-rising Nigerian music star, Falz from comedy and music, Falz has joined the growing list of Nigerian celebrities diversifying into the fashion terrain. The singer, who recently released his latest single, 'Ello Bae,' is partnering with Jay Osbie, an online brand and retailer for fashion men to deliver, produce and coordinate the sales of his new T-shirt line. The new tee shirts released under the #FalzEdition brand name and are designed with the words - 'Ello Bae' and 'marry me'( the title of a song released with Yemi Alade, another musician).

With his latest venture, Falz is becoming firmly entrenched as an entertainer who looks far beyond the music terrain, with his involvement in comedy and now fashion as new vistas of opportunities for him. He also joins other showbiz stars, including Ruggedman, Olamide, 2Shotz, Genevieve Nnaji and others who have clothing lines.

Agbani Darego

Many beauty queens reign and go into oblivion after sometime, but not Agbani Darego. After over a decade of being Miss World, Agbani Darego has striven to be relevant in the fashion industry which brought her to limelight

The ex-beauty queen also launched her clothing retail brand and opened a showroom in Lagos in 2013 and expanded the AD by Agbani Darego retail brand into accessories and other clothing items like gladiator sandals, handbags, sunglasses and chic shift dresses and tops.

Speaking on the launch Darego said 'There has been a lot of interest from consumers in various states within the country and abroad and it is great to finally extend the AD experience to them. The website is easy to navigate and has been designed to provide consumers with a pleasurable, reliable and secure shopping experience.'

Ruggedman

Unknown to many, Nigerian rapper Ruggedman has owned a clothing line for over six years. His own label is named after his birthday so it's called TSW (Twentieth September Wear). The line includes T-shirts, snap backs, hoodies and varsity jackets.

Though it has been rough with the musician who shut down the business a few months after it was launched, he relaunched the brand, this time to focus on contemporary women and men.
Ruggedman's brand has been endorsed by popular musician and colleague, 2face and his wife Annie Idibia, as well as Psquare and Nollywood actress, Monalisa Chinda.

Though Ruggedman has stopped singing for many years, he also mentors up and coming musicians and produces songs as well. This fashion branding business model has also been successfully used by international stars, including Jessica Simpson and Paris Hilton.

Fathia Balogun

Though almost hitting 50, Nollywood actress, Fathia Balogun, has joined the league of actresses who have refused to age. Little wonder she decided to diversify and teach people the secrets of her youthful looks as she unveiled a multimillion naira beauty and wine store in Abeokuta, Ogun State.

Though she said in an earlier interview that she decided to open her beauty shop in Lagos because the line of business was already common there, it is clear that the actress means business, as House of Faiteer offers services, including facial treatment, sun burn and pimples removal, as well as sale of assorted wines and cosmetic products, amongst other things.

Doris Simeon

Though reports have it that actors and actresses are not well paid and need to do other things to support themselves, it is believed that one must have an additional mode of survival.

Interestingly, trendy actress, Doris Simeon decided to open up her unisex hairdressing salon in December 2013.

Despite her busy schedule as an actress, the mother of one whose shop is tagged 'Davris Beauty Centre' makes out time to beautify celebrities and all and sundry.