By Aliyu Dangida
Farida Jalal, is a renowned former Kannywood actress, businesswoman, and Islamic singer.
She was born on 2nd November, 1985, in Katsina State, Nigeria, where she grew up and completed her early education before relocating to Kano State to begin her film career.
She joined the Kannywood industry in 2002, and within a short time rose to prominence after featuring in films such as Yakana, Sansani, and Madadi, which established her as one of the leading actresses in Northern Nigeria.
At the peak of her fame, she faced several challenges, including the suspension of some Kannywood actors in Kano, an incident that reduced her film appearances for some time.
After that, she got married twice, but both marriages ended in divorce.
She has two children. Sadly, she lost one of them, while her son named Al-Mustapha is alive.
After stepping back from acting, she turned her attention to praises of Prophet Muhammad (SAW) and Islamic songs, and became one of the popular female religious singers invited to Maulud celebrations and other Islamic gatherings.
In 2019, she announced her return to the entertainment industry with some new projects, although she continued to prioritize Islamic music.
In interviews she granted in 2021, she stated that she does not regret reducing her film appearances in order to focus on religious songs, saying that it has given her peace of mind and brought her closer to her faith.
As of 2026, Farida Jalal remains one of the notable former Kannywood stars. She is involved in business, performing Islamic songs, and attending Islamic events in different parts of Nigeria.
Her fans continue to remember the role she played in developing the Kannywood industry.
About the Author
