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Uzoamaka Aniunoh wants to be known as Uzoamaka Power.
The actress, best known for her roles in MTV Shuga, Mami Wata, and With Difficulty Comes Ease, is stepping into a new era with this name change. “The name ‘Power’ resonates with me on a profound level,” she says in a statement to WKMUp. “It symbolises strength, resilience, and the energy I bring to my craft.”
Uzoamaka’s decision to embrace “Power” was intentional and years in the making. The change also arrives to clarify a recurring mix-up between her and Diiche co-star Uzoamaka Onuoha, I remarked to Power. But it’s deeper than just clearing up the confusion, she quickly noted.
“I first started calling myself Uzoamaka Power back in 2018, at the very beginning of my career, because I felt empowered by how I was starting out as an actor,” she shares. “It quickly became a hashtag I used when sharing work I was proud of on social media.”
Over time, friends and colleagues adopted “Power” as a nickname for her. “The sense of confidence I felt when colleagues would call me ‘Power’ is something I wanted to carry forward. Now, it’s part of my name in every sense of the word,” she says.
Uzoamaka’s Works Over The Years
From small parts to leading roles, Uzoamaka has made each one count. It takes an actress who doesn’t “see small roles” but understands how to consistently elevate them. Whether it’s on YouTube (Love Notes), Prime Video (With Difficulty Comes Ease), or the festival circuit (Mami Wata, Juju Stories, The Weekend), her face and work have been everywhere.
Her acting filmography extends to TV shows (MTV Shuga, Riona, Diiche), theatrical films (Ponzi, A Night in 2005, Domitilla), short films (Ife, A Quiet Monday, Love Language), and direct-to-streaming titles (The Counsellor, A Naija Christmas).
In 2023, she went the directing route with Love Language, a short film she hopes to one day adapt into a feature, which earned the film an AMVCA nomination. But 2023 wasn’t just about directing. That year, she was also selected as a Berlinale Talents fellow, as both an actor and screenwriter. For her application, she expressed interest in feminism, women’s stories, queer cinema and romantic comedies, all visible themes in her projects, slightly except the rom-com. I see the Talents programme as one of those global hubs that quietly highlights the depth of a creative’s ambition, scanning through the list of Nigerians that have made their way through the Talents hub over the years.
2024: A Year of Expansion
2024 was an even busier year filled with traveling and spreading the word. “This past year has been a whirlwind of growth, learning, and incredible opportunities,” Uzoamaka reflects. She starred in and travelled with multiple projects: The Weekend premiered at Tribeca and BFI London; With Difficulty Comes Ease dropped on Prime Video; A Night in 2005 was in cinemas; Headless opened AFRIFF; Phoenix Fury had its world premiere there too. Shaping Us made its way to BUFF in the UK, while A Quiet Monday screened at Film Africa.
“The defining moment for me was being able to travel with my work…to see it through the audience’s eyes,” she shares about the busy period. “It showed me that what we do as artists is bigger than us.”
Within the past 12 months, she racked up acting nominations at BON, AMAA, AFRIFF, culminating in her first acting nomination at this year’s AMVCA for her performance in Phoenix Fury. “It reaffirmed my purpose as an actor: to tell stories that matter, that move people, and that linger long after the credits roll.”
On Playing Ifeatu in ‘Phoenix Fury’
Her AMVCA-nominated performance in Phoenix Fury, directed by Ifeoma Chukwuogo, is one she cherishes deeply. “When a brilliant person tells you they’re going to write a screenplay just for you, it makes you feel like the best actor in the world,” she says of her collaboration with Chukwuogo. The film’s lead character, Ifeatu, was written with her in mind. And for Uzoamaka, that made the responsibility heavier and more fulfilling.
“It was a challenge I was willing to take on. Playing Ifeatu was intense and transformative. It pushed me in ways I hadn’t been pushed before.” Phoenix Fury explores themes of justice, resilience, and personal redemption—all themes she connects to personally. Her portrayal was a promise fulfilled. “This nomination is as much a reflection of the incredible team behind the film as it is of my work,” she adds. “Whether we win or not, I already feel like we’ve won.”
The ‘With Difficulty Comes Ease’ Snub at AMVCA 2025
While Phoenix Fury got its flowers, With Difficulty Comes Ease, a critical darling, was noticeably left out of this year’s AMVCA nominations. “Recognition from the AMVCA is always an honour, but awards don’t define the impact of a film,” she says about the snub. “My Director, Korede Azeez made this project with so much heart and dedication, and seeing people say out loud how they felt about the film is the biggest reward.”
For a film adored by many, this means that the disappointment was also shared by many, who might only be consoled if she goes home with a win for Phoenix Fury on May 10. “The support has been affirming. We keep telling our stories, and we keep celebrating the incredible work coming out of our industry,” she adds.
What the Future Holds
Beyond acting, Uzoamaka is growing more comfortable calling herself a screenwriter. “It’s taken me time to reach a place where I can confidently say I’m one of the best writers in this industry,” she says. “Maybe next time we talk, I’ll be saying ‘continent,’ then ‘world,’ and beyond.”
She’s actively developing projects she’s written, some of which she won’t star in. She wants to give other performers room to shine while she steps behind the camera. “At first, writing and directing was just a way to fuel my career, but it’s become something bigger.”
The last time we sat down with her, she shared her dreams of leading a romantic comedy: “I would love to play a goofy or awkward, romantic lead in a film where her hair is so beautiful,” she said then. But whatever genre she’s in, one thing is clear: she’s in control of her voice and vision.
The Legacy of Uzoamaka Power
“Uzoamaka Power is already synonymous with excellence,” she says. “Now, I’m doing the work to live up to that name in every way.” Her creative ambitions are vast, but grounded in purpose. She’s committed to stories rooted in honesty, told from a place of vulnerability, and made with care. She takes her time, respects the discipline, and wants to put in the work.
“Whether it’s writing, acting, directing, or speaking, my goal is simple: to create great work that speaks for itself.” Uzoamaka Power isn’t just a name change. It’s the unfolding of an artist determined to multiply her gifts and leave no talent dormant.
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