Regina Askia

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Regina Askia (now Regina Askia Williams) is a Nollywood actress and model. In 1988, she shot into the limelight when she took part in her university's beauty pageant show - Miss University of Lagos, a.k.a. Miss Unilag - and won. That same year, Askia participated in Most Beautiful Girl in Nigeria. Although she was a favourite with the audience, she only managed to place second. In 1989, she took over from Bianca Onoh as Most Beautiful Girl in Nigeria after Onoh resigned. As no contest had been held that year, Askia was automatically named MBGN 1989 (although Askia credits herself as Miss Nigeria on her website).

During her short reign, Askia represented Nigeria in Miss Charm held in Russia, and Miss World. She was also the Nigerian delegate at Miss International 1991, where she failed to make much of an impact.

As a model, she has futured in several Nigerian commercials including Kessingsheen Hair Care and, most famously, Visene Eye Drops, as well as catwalk shows. Two years after her reign as MBGN, she graduated from the University of Lagos with a degree in Biology.

Askia's big acting break was in 1993, when she played gold-digger Tokunbo Johnson in Nigerian soap Fortunes (later Mega Fortunes), a role which earned her critical acclaim. Although the home video sequel Dark Goddess was a commercial flop, she found herself casted in more Nollywood movies.

Askia is married to American Rudolph 'Rudy' Williams; together, the couple have two children - Teesa Olympia and Rudolph Junior. Her other daughter, Stephanie is from a previous relationship with a French buisnessman. Askia currently lives in America with her family where she now studies for her Masters degree, although she regularly goes to her home country to make movies.

In 2007, Askia-Williams fronted the 2000-N-Six campaign alongside daughter Stephanie.