Benita Onyiuke reveals secrets of crafting truth, timeless stories in Nollywood

Nollywood actress and filmmaker Benita Onyiuke continues to expand her presence in the industry with a blend of confidence, talent, and emotional depth. In Nollywood, she is among the pantheon of actors audiences enjoy watching, and she has earned a reputation for choosing her roles with care and pouring her heart into every project.
In a recent interview, the star of the My Kind of Girl film unveiled the woman behind her screen persona.

Describing herself with striking simplicity, she said, “Off screen, I am a calm, grounded, and family-oriented woman. I am a wife, a mother, a businesswoman, and someone who believes strongly in God and personal growth.”
When asked what truly distinguishes an exceptional actor, Benita’s answer was both concise and profound. Said she, “A good actor is honest, open, and willing to learn. A good actor listens and feels, rather than just recites lines.” According to her, respecting the craft and remaining committed to constant improvement are the foundations of great acting.
Despite Nollywood’s increasingly competitive landscape, she insists she feels no pressure. “The industry is big and there is space for everyone,” she said. “Every season has its own stars. I focus on my journey, keep improving my craft, and stay consistent. Talent, grace, and hard work will always find their place.”
Her calm-minded perspective also extends to marriage. At a time when celebrity divorces dominate the headlines, she offered a thoughtful take: “I believe marriage is a serious covenant and should be treated with care, effort, and respect. But I do not judge anyone who chooses divorce. Everyone knows where the shoe pinches them.”
Concerning her art and profession, Benita avowed that she is intentional about the roles she accepts. She revealed why she had turned down several scripts in the past. “I say no when the story does not align with my values, vision, or schedule,” she explained, noting that the message behind a film is just as important as the performance itself.

Benita does not subscribe to flaunting physical features in pursuit of attention. She put it plainly: “I do not feel the need to flaunt anything to prove I am attractive. My attraction is more in my confidence, my energy, and how I carry myself.”
One of her most talked-about projects at present is her film Temporary Wife, which she both produced and starred in. She explained how the project began and why it became deeply personal: “Temporary Wife began as a story I really believed in. It was the first time I ever thought of playing twin characters in a movie.”

According to her, producing the film gave her the freedom to push her own boundaries in ways she had not attempted before.
The inspiration behind the film came from a deeper exploration. “I wanted to explore the psychology of identity, envy, and betrayal,” she said. She intended to create something emotional, suspenseful, and gripping from start to finish.

Playing twin sisters with opposing personalities proved both exciting and demanding. One sister is calm and church-going, while the other is more materialistic and worldly. The twist emerges when the church-going twin, consumed by jealousy, pushes her married sister down the stairs in an attempt to take over her life — unaware that her sister survives and begins plotting her downfall with her husband.

Benita described the experience as intense. “It required switching between two totally different personalities,” she said. “It was complex, but rewarding.”
The film’s central lesson, she stressed, is explicit: “Jealousy and greed never end well. Pretending to be someone you are not can only last for a short time before the truth comes out.”
When asked to pick her top five works so far, she listed Temporary Wife, A Ride With Forever, Hands Full of Tears, With Every Heartbeat, and Oma’s Pain. Each film, she said, reflects a distinct season in her creative evolution. A Ride With Forever, she noted, resonated deeply with viewers; Hands Full of Tears carried a message of pain and breakthrough; With Every Heartbeat centred on healing and wholeness; while Oma’s Pain allowed her to express raw, unfiltered emotion.

Some of the emotional scenes — especially in Temporary Wife — are genuine and relatable.
“Yes, I cried real tears,” she admitted. “Even though the story was fictional, I was able to connect emotionally with the pain, fear, and confusion my character felt.”
One of the most mentally taxing aspects of the film was switching between the twin roles. “I had to rehearse each scene separately and prepare myself mentally,” she said. Yet the difficulty ultimately became one of the highlights of her career.

Running her own production company has also shaped her creative decisions. “It has made me more intentional,” she said. She now pays extra attention to story quality, emotional resonance, and social relevance.
Her sense of authenticity, she believes, comes from living a simple, grounded life. “I stay true to myself. I do not compare my journey with anyone else’s,” she said. That philosophy has kept her steady.

Looking into the future, Benita shared a dream she has yet to fulfil: playing a fierce action role.
“I want to do a film like Colombiana,” she said with excitement. The idea of a woman turning pain into strength and embarking on a mission of vengeance appeals to her. “I have always imagined myself doing a story like that,” she added.
With her steady growth, firm values, and distinctive storytelling voice, Benita Onyiuke stands today as a reflection of the power of passion—and the promise of much more to come.