Ever wondered how a young girl from Benin City grew into one of Nollywood’s most creative forces? Let’s chat about Ruth Kadiri—her journey, family, and the drive behind her success.
Ruth Kadiri was born on March 24, 1988, in Benin City, Edo State, and raised in the Ajegunle neighborhood of Lagos. Though her roots are in the Bini ethnic group, it was Lagos that shaped much of her early experience and ambition.
As the first child in her family, Ruth learned early what it meant to carry responsibility. At just 18, she wrote down a bold list of life goals in a personal journal — from getting her own apartment to earning her own money. Her father, Mr. Desmond Kadiri, found the notebook and laughed, thinking it was an unrealistic dream. That moment didn’t break her; it made her even more determined to chase everything she believed she deserved.
Education
Ruth attended First Foundation College in Ajegunle and later studied Business Administration at Yaba College of Technology. She didn’t stop there — she went on to get a Mass Communication degree from the University of Lagos.
During her teenage years, Ruth already had a knack for storytelling. She wrote scripts while in secondary school and started attending auditions after graduating. Her writing talent got a boost when she met Victor Eze, a mentor who helped sharpen her screenwriting skills.
Entering Nollywood
Her first break came through Wale Adenuga Studios. That opportunity helped her land a role in the movie Boy’s Cot, where she acted alongside Jim Iyke, Ini Edo, Rita Dominic, and others. It was the beginning of a long, impactful career.
Her early script, Wild and Dirty, wasn’t produced by her due to financial constraints, but she sold it — marking her entry into script sales. Over time, she starred in and wrote over 200 films including The Dumb Wife, Crazy Matilda, War for Limpopo, and Dear Ijeoma.
Film Production
Ruth moved beyond acting to build her own production company — Ruth Kadiri Films. As CEO, she has released projects like Matters Arising, Circle of Trust, and Spaced Out. She’s written or produced films such as First Class, Better Half, Fond of You, Trapped in the Rain, Marriage Interview, and Mad Wife.
Her storytelling often captures everyday emotions and human flaws. And through her film company, she’s supported emerging actors, including Chidi Dikeh.
Ruth Kadiri Films
| Title | Year | Role |
|---|---|---|
| Mercy the Bus Driver | 2012 | Onyi |
| Airline Babes | 2012 | Maureen |
| Brazilian Hair Babes | 2013 | Silver |
| Tears in My Heart | 2013 | Nene |
| Matters Arising | 2014 | Ogor |
| Unspoken Truth | 2014 | Rebecca |
| The Pains of Chimamanda | 2015 | U.K. |
| Miss Taken | 2015 | Ruby |
| First Class | 2016 | Charity |
| Memory Lane | 2016 | Gina |
| In Your Arms | 2017 | — |
| Black Bride | 2017 | — |
| Gateman | 2017 | Frances |
| We Cheats More | 2017 | I.T. |
| WET (by Ruth Kadiri) | 2018 | Sharon |
| Tripod (by Ruth Kadiri) | 2018 | — |
| Black Men Rock | 2018 | Becky |
| Sex & Love | 2018 | Christy |
| Love is Beautiful | 2019 | — |
| Tender Lies | 2019 | Blessing |
| Unfounded | 2019 | — |
| Murder Call | 2019 | Isabella |
| Stab | 2019 | Olivia |
| The Final List | 2019 | Idara |
| The Dumb Wife | 2020 | — |
| Too Old for Love | 2020 | — |
| Tears of Rejected Seed | 2020 | — |
| Babies and Friends | 2020 | Funbi |
| Too Old for This | 2020 | Lycia |
| Shrine Girl | 2020 | — |
| Space Out | 2020 | Toria |
| Larry Cold | 2021 | Precious |
| Pair | 2021 | Shade |
| Adunni | 2021 | — |
| Taking Chances | 2021 | Nurse Angela |
| Love Me | 2021 | Oreoluwa Jegede |
| Craving | 2021 | — |
| 5 is Company | 2021 | Josephine |
| Out of Love | 2021 | Tejiri |
| Nasty Jane | 2021 | Janelle |
| House Boy Wanted | 2021 | Joan |
| Boiling Point | 2021 | Roli |
| Everybody Wants Alvin | 2022 | Funke |
| Breakfast | 2022 | — |
| Something Fishy | 2022 | Toke |
| Honey We Are Broke | 2023 | Lucy |
| Hot Mess | 2023 | Marie |
| Alaye | 2024 | Catherine |
| Perfect Nobody | 2024 | Idia |
| Trading Your Heart (Food For Thought) | 2025 | Rebecca |
Ruth Kadiri’s YouTube and Business Ventures
With the growth of digital platforms, Ruth extended her reach to YouTube under the handle @ruthkadiri247, where her movies continue to gather millions of views. She also runs a beauty business — an online hair store called Ruthkolors — expanding her brand beyond Nollywood.
Personal Life and Family
In 2017, Ruth announced her engagement. She married Mr. Ezerika, a businessman from Anambra State, in 2018. Keeping the ceremony off social media, she maintained privacy around their union.
The couple has two daughters. Their first child, Reign Nwachinemelu Ezerika, was born in August 2019. Their second daughter, Emerald-Chizaram-Ezerika, arrived in July 2022. Ruth occasionally shares moments from her life, including a rare photo of her second daughter, offering fans a glimpse into her family.
Ruth Kadiri’s Sister and Mother
Ruth’s younger sister, Precious Ehis Kadiri, is also in the movie industry. Born in 1993, Precious is a producer and the CEO of Flore Beddings. She earned her degree in Biochemistry from Delta State University.
Ruth often celebrates her mother publicly. In a few social media posts, fans have seen their close bond. Her mother, like many others from her generation, played a big role in supporting her dreams.
Love Life and Controversies
Ruth Kadiri’s past includes several rumors about her romantic relationships. She was linked to producer Stanley Ebonine, who later clarified that although they were close, they remained friends and she supported his marriage.
She was also rumored to have dated a man who frequently traveled between Nigeria and London — a relationship that reportedly ended when she found out he was already married with children.
At one point, she was also falsely linked to Apostle Suleman, a religious figure, but Ruth dismissed those claims as baseless. These rumors didn’t slow her down; they simply faded while she stayed focused on her work.
Lifestyle, Cars, and Mansion
Ruth enjoys a comfortable lifestyle in Lekki, Lagos. She owns luxury vehicles, including a Range Rover Autobiography, which once made headlines when a staff member stole it. She later recovered the car.
Despite owning a stunning mansion in Lekki, Ruth prefers to keep a low profile and avoids posting material possessions online. When pictures of her supposed new home surfaced in 2023, she clarified that it wasn’t hers.
Philanthropy and Giving Back
Through the Ruth Kadiri Foundation, she supports children and underprivileged families. She once paid the school fees of five students at her former school, First Foundation College, Ajegunle — a deeply personal gesture since she recalled often struggling to pay her own.
In Delta State, she donated school materials to pupils, drawing prayers and appreciation from students and teachers alike.
Awards and Recognition
Ruth has received both recognition and awards for her contributions to Nollywood. She won Actress of the Year at the 2015 Nigeria Entertainment Awards and Best Actress at the 2018 City People Movie Awards.
She’s also earned nominations from the Golden Icons Academy Movie Awards and the Ghana Movie Awards, including nods for Best Female Viewers Choice and Best On-screen Duo.
2015
- Nigeria Entertainment Awards
Actress of the Year – Won - Golden Icons Academy Movie Awards
🔸 Best Female Viewers Choice – Nominated
🔸 Best On-screen Duo (with Majid Michel) – Nominated
🔸 Best Actress – Nominated
2018
- City People Movie Award
Best Actress of the Year – Won
🔸 Face of Nollywood – Nominated
2019
- Ghana Movie Awards
🔸 Best Movie African Collaborations – Nominated
🔸 Best Actress African Collaboration – Nominated
2020
- Best of Nollywood Awards
🔸 Best Supporting Actress – English – Nominated
Ruth Kadiri Net Worth
Ruth Kadiri’s estimated net worth sits around $2 million. A portion comes from her films, both as an actress and a producer. Revenue from YouTube, endorsement deals with brands like BettyBingo, and her beauty business add to her financial portfolio.
Connect with Ruth Kadiri
You can find Ruth Kadiri on Instagram under @ruthkadiri. Her YouTube channel, @ruthkadiri247, remains one of the top platforms for Nollywood lovers looking for her latest content.
Article updated 4 weeks ago. Content is written and modified by multiple authors.
