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Temi Otedola continues to cement her place as one of Nollywood’s most promising rising stars. With only a handful of films under her belt, her performances have consistently drawn attention, not only because of her famous last name but for the distinct intensity, poise, and emotional range she brings to her roles.
Her last three projects Citation (2020), The Man for the Job (2022), and most recently, Ms Kanyin (2025) showcase a deliberate evolution in her craft, as well as a bold selection of stories that challenge both her acting depth and Nollywood’s narrative boundaries.
Citation, her debut, was more than just an introduction. Directed by Kunle Afolayan, it announced Temi as a serious performer.
As Moremi Oluwa, a brave university student who chooses to confront a powerful academic after a case of sexual harassment, Temi displayed unexpected maturity and strength.
The film, with its weighty social theme and international settings, gained global recognition. While there were moments when her inexperience showed, her vulnerability and conviction helped carry the story and drew audiences into Moremi’s fight for justice.
For a first-time actress, it was a commendable performance, one that made it clear she wasn’t in the industry just to “try acting” she came prepared to own it.
Two years later, she appeared in The Man for the Job, a modern thriller directed by Niyi Akinmolayan. Here, she stepped into the shoes of Zina, a tech-savvy and ambitious young woman embroiled in a world of digital espionage.
The movie offered a shift from the emotionally intense backdrop of Citation to a more fast-paced, cerebral narrative.
Temi held her own alongside Nollywood veterans like Ini Edo and Uzor Arukwe. While the film leaned more on plot than performance, her role as a strategic thinker navigating corporate intrigue gave her a chance to showcase subtle confidence and control.
It was a strategic move she didn’t need to cry or scream to be heard in this one; her silence, glances, and calm defiance did most of the talking.
However, it is with Ms Kanyin, her latest project, that Temi fully comes into her own. Released in June 2025 on Amazon Prime Video, the Afro-horror thriller is set in a mysterious boarding school where the pressure to succeed turns deadly.
As Amara, Temi’s character inadvertently unlocks an ancient spirit after breaking a sacred school rule. The film, directed by Jerry Ossai, blends supernatural horror with Yoruba mythology, giving Temi her most physically demanding and psychologically complex role yet.
Her performance is nuanced, intense, and haunting a reflection of her growth since Citation. She endures emotional trauma, channels inner fear, and drives the suspense forward with controlled hysteria that never tips into parody. Temi reportedly suffered sleepless nights and bruises during the reshoots, but the payoff is evident on screen.
In ranking these three performances, Ms Kanyin takes the lead as her most accomplished role yet a masterclass in genre versatility.
Citation remains her most socially relevant and emotionally raw outing, while The Man for the Job stands as a solid, if understated, showcase of her adaptability. Together, these three films paint a picture of an actress willing to evolve, experiment, and challenge herself with each role.
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