Kannywood no doubt witnessed unprecedented growth in 2016. Not even the decision by the federal government to shelve its plan to build a film village in Kano following stiff opposition from Muslim clerics in July could dim Kannywood’s shine. But it is near impossible to talk about this industry without acknowledging a crop of talented screen divas that occupied the front row in Kannywood flicks all year round.
Aside from their acting prowess, these actresses also enjoy a cult following on Instagram. As 2016 gradually winds down, PREMIUM TIMES presents the top ten Kannywood actresses who lit up the screen all year round while holding the ace on Instagram.
1 – Rahama Sadau
Occupying our number spot is the talented and beautiful Rahama Sadau. Although she has been dubbed Kannywood’s most controversial actress, following her expulsion from the industry this year, Ms. Sadau still enjoys a lot of goodwill. With over 423,000 Instagram followers, a record by Kannywood standard, she is clearly a producer’s delight. On an average, the soft-spoken actress receives more than a thousand responses on every Instagram post. From producing her first movie ‘RARIYA’ in 2016, Rahama also became the brand ambassador of big brands like pink Fleur, MedicAid, ONE among many others. She was outstanding in movies like Ana Wata Ga Wata, Hadin Allah, Matatace Shaida and Dalilin So.
2 
– Jamila Umar Nagudu
This Globacom ambassador is the Kannywood actress who has featured in the most films in 2016. Jamila is also said to be the most sought-after Kannywood actress by film producers. She is very talented and fits perfectly into any role. She is also very outstanding and is blessed with a good sense of humour.
Though not very active on social media, she garnered about 170,000 followers on Instagram.
She is at her best in movies like Yar Adaidaita, Na Hauwa, Hindu, Mahaukaciya, Barauniya, Jummala, Idon Birni, Basma, Jarumta and Mijin Biza.
3 – Fati Washa
Yet another dazzling Kannywood star, Fati Washa’s Instagram followers doubled to 314,000 from 100000 in less than six months. Pretty and light-complexioned Fatima is one of the highly sought-after actresses in Kannywood, due to her skilful delivery of roles. This beautiful actress has a warm and charming personality that endears her to movie lovers. She shone like a million bucks in blockbuster movies like Basaja Takon Gidan Yari, Fati washa Zee Zee, Gamdakatar, Ramlat, Ana Wata Ga Wata, Afra, Hindu and many others.
4 – Hadiza Gabon
Hadiza Gabon is one actress that has received commendations from Kannywood producers, stakeholders and colleagues. Easy going and articulate, she was a recipient of 2016 Afronolly awards which was held in the United Kingdom. She has starred in several big-budget Kannywood films. They include Indon Kauye, Basaja Takun Gidan Yari, and others. On Instagram, she gives Rahama Sadau a close chase. She boasts over 405,000 followers on the online mobile photo sharing, video-sharing, and social networking site.
5 – Nafeesat Abdullahi
– At 25, Nafeesat Abdullahi has done pretty well for herself career-wise. Soft-spoken and beautiful, this leggy beauty was not very active in 2016. She was preoccupied with her new foundation “The Love Laugh Foundation” which she launched recently in Kaduna. She has so far pulled a fan base of 304,000 followers on Instagram. She was brilliant in the 2016 movie, ‘Goguwar So.’ She was suspended from acting in 2013 for organizing a party and failing to appear before disciplinary committee, but she isn’t leaving Kannywood anytime soon.
6 – Halima Ateteh
With over 257,000 followers on Instagram, Halima Ateteh, is a producer’s delight any day and any time. She featured in many films this year but was outstanding in the movie, ‘Takanas Ta Kano’. Not a pushover in the style department, she is gorgeous.
7 – Aisha Tsamiya
Standing tall at the seventh position is Aisha Tsamiya. With over 250,000 Instagram followers, she was phenomenal in 2016. She has featured in several films, but she gave a stellar performance in ‘Salma’.
8– Hafsat Idris
As one of Kannywood’s fresh faces, Hafsat Idris broke even in 2016. She was a class act in her first big budget film ‘Barauniya’. She also bagged an award for her role in the movie. Hafsat, who has over 144,000 Instagram followers, is clearly one actress that avid Kannywood buffs need to watch out for in 2017.
9 – Ummah Shehu
Popularly known as the Kanywood villain, Ummah Shehu did not feature in many movies this year. She was a City People award nominee this year and was great in the movie ‘Bugun Zuciya’. She also managed to garner 33,000 followers on Instagram.
10 – Fati Shu’uma
One of Kannywood’s most promising actresses, Fati Shu’uma, who is known for her ‘bad girl ‘roles was outstanding in the movie ‘Basma’. She has over 36,000 followers on Instagram.
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