Chiwetalu Agu

Chiwetalu Agu listen^ⓘ (born 1956) is a Nigerian actor.^[1] He won the 2012 Nollywood award for 'best actor in indigenous movie (non-English speaking language)'.^[2] His usage of specific language slangs, phrases or clichés in many films has made him uniquely a household name in Nigeria and among Nollywood fans in general.^[3] While asserting that comic genres is a unique vehicle in projecting Nigerian culture globally as well as establishing the Nollywood brand, Agu is listed as one of the outstanding comedians who have contributed to the development of Nollywood comic genres by Prof. Femi Shaka of the University of Port Harcourt.^[4] Agu is married to Nkechi and has three sons and two daughters.

Chiwetalu Agu
Chiwetalu Agu on the set of Aghugho Anyaukwu
Born	1956 (age 68–69) Enugu State, Nigeria
Nationality	Nigerian
Other names	Okpantuecha
Citizenship	Nigerian
Occupation	Actor
Spouse	Nkechi
Children	5
Awards	Nollywood Movie Awards Best actor in an Indigenous movie

Early years

Agu's versatility dates back to the transition of Nigerian television soap operas to Nollywood movies. Before the inception of Nollywood, about 31 years ago, television soap opera was the order of the day and Agu featured in Nigerian Television Authority Channel 8 Enugu's Ikoro, produced by Joe Onyekwelu. He also featured in ETV Channel 50, now ESBS.^[5] in soaps like Baby Come Now and Ripples (in Lagos) produced by Chico Ejiro's brother, Zeb; in the latter he played the character of Chief Abunna.

Filmography

There is a record of at least about 150 movies in which Agu has been cast.^[6]

Year	Film	Role	Note
2002	Last Ofalla 1-4
	Taboo	Ichie Ogwu
2002	Old School
1986	Things Fall Apart
	Ripples
2008	Return of Justice By Fire
2003	Traditional Marriage 1 & 2
2002	Fire on the Mountain 1 & 2
2002	Buried In Heaven 1 & 2	Nnanna
2003	Price of the Wicked	Omenka
	Dr. Thomas		with Sam Loco Efe
	The Priest Must Die
	The Price of Sacrifice
2003	The Catechist
2003	Police Recruit
	Sunrise 1 & 2
2004	Old School 1-3
	Honorable 1 & 2
	Sounds of Love 1 & 2
	Nkwocha
2004	Across the Niger
	The Plain Truth 1 7 2
2007	Rhythm of Love 1 & 2
	Church Man 1 & 2	Ukpabi
	Holy Anger 1 & 2
	Evil Twin		with Pete Edochie
2008	Beauty and the Beast 1-3	Uzoma
2006	Royal Messengers 1 & 2
2007	Royal Destiny 1 & 2
2007	Burning kingdom 1 & 2
	The Maidens		with Clarion Chukwurah
	Battle of the Gods 1 & 2
2011	Greedy Brothers		With Sam Loco Efe, Judith Iwu, Francis Odega
2016	House of trouble		With Judith Iwu, Uche Odoputa
2018	The Ghost and the Tout	Chief Ajanaku
2017	The Wedding Party 2		with Adesua Etomi
2019	Ordinary Fellows[7]	Mr. Mgbu	a film by Lorenzo Menakaya
2019	She Is	chief Amosun
2020	5G Network	Henry's Father	Drama
2021	The Cleanser
2022	De jumbled[1]	Alaka	directed by Benneth Nwankwo
2022	Aghugho Anyaukwu [8]	Ubachi	directed by Uzoma Sunday Logicman
2022	Invaders[9]		Directed by James Ugoejiofor
2023	Ada Omo Daddy	Uncle Ndubuisi	Directed by Kazim S. Adeoti, Mercy Aigbe and Akay Mason
2023	The Trade	Kidnap Driver	Crime / Drama

Videography

Year	Title	Director	Ref
2016	Agbommma (cameo appearance)	Tchidi Chekere	[10]

Controversies

Agu has raised controversies with comments where he has said that he will act for a good price^[11] and described the sexual harassment alleged in Nollywood as an issue with a general phenomenon. He added "Nollywood actresses are well endowed".^[12] See also interview in The Daily Independent.^[13]

On 7 October 2021, Chiwetalu Agu was arrested by soldiers at Iweka Bridge in Onitsha, and^[14][15] spent a night in custody before the National President of the Actors Guild of Nigeria secured his release from the Nigerian Army^{[16][17][18][19][20]} after questioning. He was arrested after he was spotted wearing an outfit depicting the flag of Biafra.^[15]

Nominations

• In the first Nollywood Movie Awards in 2012: Agu was nominated for 'the best actor in indigenous movie for his role' in Nkwocha.^[21]
• Zulu African Film Academy Awards (ZAFAA London) 2011: Agu's role in The Maidens earned him nomination for 'the best supporting actor'.^[22]
• In the 2008 4th annual Africa Movie Academy Awards for his role in Across the Niger Agu was nominated for 'the best actor in a supporting role.'.

Awards

• Agu was the winner in the first ever Nollywood Movie Awards 2012 for 'the best actor in an indigenous movie: non English speaking language' for his role in Nkwocha.^[2]