Rita Dominic at 50: Celebrating a Nollywood legend and her unforgettable roles
She’s gone from inspiring characters in over 350 films to shaping the industry behind the scenes. Rita has emerged as a trailblazer. Let’s take a deep dive into her life, her craft, and the versatility that sets her apart.
A Glimpse into Rita’s Beginnings and Legacy
Born July 12, 1975, in Mbaise, Imo State, into a distinguished family (her father was a doctor, her mother a nurse), Rita Dominic blossomed early into performance.
With theatre arts studied at the University of Port Harcourt (class of 1999), she dove into Nollywood full-force after her debut in 1998’s A Time to Kill.
Dubbed a “silver screen icon” by CNN, she has earned numerous accolades, from the AMVCA (in both drama and comedy) to Kenya’s Kalasha Award.
Beyond acting, Rita co-founded The Audrey Silva Company (TASC) with Mildred Okwo, producing hits like The Meeting and working on Nigeria’s famed Miss Nigeria pageant.
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’76 (2016)
Role: Suzie Dewa, a pregnant army wife caught in a storm of political intrigue.
Set six years after Nigeria’s civil war, ’76 traces the harrowing ordeal of Captain Joseph Dewa (Ramsey Nouah), falsely accused of involvement in the failed 1976 coup.
Rita Dominic’s Suzie embodies emotional resilience. She’s gentle yet resolute as she fights to prove her husband’s innocence and protect their unborn child.
Her performance earned widespread acclaim, including the AMVCA Best Actress in a Drama (Movie/TV Series).
Critics praised her nuanced portrayal of a woman under strain, small gestures like a quivering hand or a steely glare spoke louder than words. Kemi Filani News described her turn as “refreshing… bringing the plight of a soldier’s wife to life on screen.”
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The Meeting (2012)
Role: Clara Ikemba, the formidable gatekeeper in Abuja’s bureaucracy.
In this award-winning (AMAA & Audience Choice in Paris) romantic comedy, Rita stars opposite Femi Jacobs, playing a no‑nonsense receptionist whose brash exterior conceals vulnerability.
Damian Okwo’s script uses Clara to spotlight bureaucracy, but Rita’s performance elevates it: she’s prickly, sarcastic, and unexpectedly human.
Her demand for bribes, comic dominance, and begrudging soft spots turn Clara into one of Nollywood’s most iconic comedic characters.
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Light in the Dark (2019)
Role: Jumoke, a survivor navigating trauma and hope.
In this intense drama/thriller, Rita stars as Jumoke, a married mother of one attacked during a break-in .
The film explores the horrifying aftermath of gender violence and its impact on family dynamics.
With little dialogue, Rita conveys suffering, stoicism, and the fragile rebuilding of trust; she anchors the film’s emotional core.
Critics applauded how her intimate, understated performance elevated the broader narrative into a moving portrait of survival.
The Trade (2023)
Role: Doris, a sharp, determined enforcement officer.
In Jade Osiberu’s crime thriller, Rita plays Doris, a tactful but fierce character operating within Nigeria’s gritty criminal landscape.
As a wife, mother, and law enforcer, Doris is moral and multifaceted. Rita’s measured portrayal balances empathy and authority, keeping viewers guessing about loyalties and drive.
Her presence lends gravitas, showing how seamlessly she adapts to genre shifts, from historical drama to urban crime.
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