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Before Nollywood embraced the glitz and glamour of high-definition visuals, stunning locations, and blockbuster premieres, the industry relied heavily on something else powerful voices.
In the 1990s and early 2000s, Nollywood was just finding its identity, and actors like Segun Arinze, with his baritone authority, helped define what it meant to captivate an audience beyond the screen. Voiceovers became the lifeblood of suspense, drama, and tension in Nigerian films, and a select group of actors and actresses became the unseen yet unforgettable storytellers.
Segun Arinze is perhaps the most iconic voice in Nollywood’s voiceover history. Dubbed “the voice of Nollywood,” his deep, commanding tone narrated trailers, introduced opening scenes, and warned of the impending twists in movies that ranged from action-packed thrillers to intense family dramas.
Whether he was saying “This summer… vengeance has a new name,” or “She thought it was love, but it was betrayal,” Arinze’s voice added a gravitas that stuck with viewers. Even when he wasn’t seen, he was heard and felt.
But Arinze wasn’t alone. The likes of Zack Orji also lent their voices to narration in films, especially in more romantic or moral-heavy storylines. Orji’s voice carried a calm sincerity that perfectly matched roles requiring wisdom or fatherly guidance. He could deliver a moral lesson through narration that lingered in the minds of viewers long after the credits rolled.
Female actors like Ngozi Ezeonu and Joke Silva also played a key role in bringing soul to voiceover work, especially in films that focused on family, tradition, or spiritual battles.
Their voices provided warmth, strength, and urgency when needed. Ngozi Ezeonu’s narration in traditional-themed movies, for instance, often introduced viewers to ancestral curses, broken covenants, or the spirit world, setting the emotional tone of the story.
In many ways, voiceovers became a cinematic tool that filled the gaps left by low-budget visuals and inconsistent sound design in early Nollywood. The voice carried the story. In films like Issakaba, Living in Bondage, or Nneka the Pretty Serpent, it was the narration that made the suspense come alive. These voices told us what to feel and expect fear, betrayal, heartbreak, or revenge.
One of the reasons Segun Arinze’s voice stood out was his ability to match the mood of any scene. He didn’t just read lines he performed them.
His voice could rise with fury, dip with sadness, or chill with a threatening calm. This ability transformed simple dialogues into unforgettable moments. It also inspired a generation of actors and producers to pay more attention to vocal performance, not just physical acting.
Even today, the influence of those early voiceover legends can be felt in Nollywood’s evolving soundscape.
With improvements in production quality, some might argue that voiceovers have taken a back seat. But in reality, the foundation laid by actors like Arinze continues to shape narration and character delivery in contemporary Nollywood.
Modern actors like Richard Mofe-Damijo (RMD) and Nse Ikpe-Etim have built on this legacy, known for their distinctive voices that command respect and carry emotional weight.
In summary, the artistry of voiceover acting helped define Nollywood’s early storytelling. Segun Arinze, with his unmistakable voice, led the charge, making trailers thrilling and scenes unforgettable.
Alongside other veterans, both male and female, he gave Nollywood its voice literally. And even as the industry grows more visually sophisticated, it’s that commanding sound in the background that still holds the power to captivate an audience.
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