Eniola Olorundare
Astute and hard-working actress, Mercy Aigbe, recently posted on her Instagram handle a giveaway package. This could be interpreted to be a branding trick, but she has not been known to be stingy to charity. The fact is that, as she tends to give, there are indications that she is reaping profits from her constant limelight.
About the same time, she waded into the massive burst of criticisms against popular singer, Tiwa Savage, based on the way she handled her sex tape. Aigbe is among other influencers who drummed support for her, posting, “Forever a Queen.” In another post, she said, “Nobody, I repeat, Nobody holy pass. Big shame on blackmailers. Shame.” Beyond acting therefore, Mercy Aigbe comes as an activist who is not scared to look a storm in the face.
The actress, director, filmmaker, producer, fashionista and businesswoman is best known for her Yoruba indigenous movies; and the diversified roles she plays. Over the years in her acting years Aigbe has showed her fans that she is a necessary tool for Nollywood development.
Some of the films she has starred in are Afefe Ife (2008), Okanjua (2008), Atunida Leyi (2009), Igberaga (2009),
Ihamo (2009), Ìpèsè (2009), Iró funfun (2009),
Mafisere (2009), Oju ife (2009), Omoge Osas (2012), Ile Oko Mii (2014), Victims (2015), The Screenplay (2017), Little Drops of Happy (2017), 200 Million (2018), Second Acts (2018), Lagos Real Fake Life (2018), Swallow (2021).
There have been issues as regards her marriages as she seemed not to have a happy one. The two she has had did not last. According to BBC.com, in a recent interview, Aigbe begged her former husband, Lanre Gentry, to sign their divorce papers. She said, “Please, everyone should appeal to him to sign the divorce papers. He has even refused to accept them. We are still married and not yet divorced.” There is no evidence that her wish has been granted despite the fact that the man has remarried.
Hand in several pies, in November 2014, Aigbe launched her clothing store, Mag Divas Boutique, in Lagos, later earning her Fashion Entrepreneur of The Year at Links and Glitz World Awards. She is known for her unique style and dressing. At the 2016 Africa Magic Viewers Choice Awards, Mercy Aigbe’s dress earned her great applause from fashion stakeholders, and she trended on social media even after the ceremony.
Rollicking in relative wealth, she acquired a multi-million naira new mansion in 2018.
She has also acquired vital endorsement deals. In November 2014, Mercy Aigbe was made the brand ambassador for Elephant Gold Rice. Aigbe signed a one-year deal to be the brand ambassador for Prestige Cosmetic in June 2015. In July 2016, she signed an endorsement deal with Edalaf Brother Limited, an IT solution company. She was made an ambassador of a fitness company called “Shape you”, the company that produces Slimming Coffee in October 2016. Mercy on March 2017, was made the brand ambassador for BK Hair. In September 2018, she was made the brand ambassador for “Naija Taxi Services”.
Born on the 1st January, 1978 (age 43 years), in Benin City, she is the second child in a family of five. Aigbe did her primary education at St. Francis Primary School and attended Maryland Comprehensive Secondary School Ikeja, Lagos. She is also an alumnus of The Polytechnic, Ibadan, Oyo State, where she received her OND in Financial Studies. In 2001, Mercy Aigbe graduated from the University of Lagos with a degree in Theatre Arts.
Mercy Aigbe kicked off her acting career by starring in some soap operas including the popular T.V drama series “Papa Ajasco”. Professionally, Mercy joined the Nollywood industry fully in 2006 and acted in the movie that brought her into limelight, ‘Ara’, a movie produced by Remi Olupo in Ibadan. She founded “Mercy Aigbe Gentry School of Drama” in 2016.
She has two kids; Michelle Aigbe and Juwon Gentry.
