Regina Askia-Williams, born Imaobong Regina Askia Usoro on December 16, 1967, is a Nigerian-born, American-based actress, model, and former beauty queen who once held the title of Miss University of Lagos. She is also a certified Family Nurse Practitioner (FNP) and currently practices in New York City. In addition to her medical career, she is a writer and public speaker, advocating for African outreach in children's health, education, and economic development.

Regina Askia

Career

In 1988, Askia-Williams, a former medical student who had transferred from the University of Calabar to the University of Lagos, was crowned Miss Unilag. That same year, she placed second in the Most Beautiful Girl in Nigeria (MBGN) contest. In 1989, she assumed the title of MBGN after the winner, Bianca Onoh, resigned. In 1990, Askia-Williams represented Nigeria at the Miss Charm International pageant in Leningrad, Russia, where she finished as the first runner-up. She became the first Nigerian to compete in the Miss International pageant in Japan, where she won the award for the most outstanding traditional costume.

Modeling Career

Following her success in beauty pageants, Askia-Williams's modeling career took off. She appeared in numerous Nigerian print and television commercials, including campaigns for Visine®, Chicken George fast food, Kessingsheen Hair Care, and the boutique chain Collectibles. She also graced several runway shows and, in 2007, modeled for the 2000-N-Six face cleansing range alongside her daughter, model Stephanie Hornecker. In 2006, she hosted a charity fashion show at Lehman College in the Bronx, New York, showcasing designs by top African designers and her own label, Regine Fashions.

Acting Career

Askia-Williams's acting breakthrough came in 1993 when she played the role of "Tokunbo Johnson," a gold-digger, in the Nigerian soap opera Fortunes on NTA Network. This role earned her critical acclaim and established her as a prominent actress in Nigeria. She went on to star in several Nollywood films during the 1990s and early 2000s, which were widely distributed in Nigeria, Tanzania, and Ghana, and aired on networks such as ITV, StarTV, and TVT. After a brief hiatus, she returned to acting in the Nigerian film Web and won the "Best Actress in Nigeria" award from Afro Hollywood London in 2000.

Advocacy and Medical Outreach

Askia-Williams is actively involved in supporting medical outreach in Nigeria. In 2005, she hosted a fashion show at the Nigerian Embassy in New York City to raise awareness of children's social issues in Nigeria. In 2007, she was honored by the Celebrating African Motherhood Organization (CAM) at a gala in Washington, D.C.

She continues to promote collaboration between Africa and its diaspora through fashion shows and medical missions. She co-hosts an Internet discussion program, African Health Dialogues, which covers topics like the effectiveness of mobile medical clinics in Africa. Her articles have appeared online and in the "Saturday Clinic" series in the Nigerian newspaper This Day.

Filmography

Askia-Williams's film credits include:

Slave Warrior (2012) as Roslyn

How We Lived - Slave Warrior (2012) as Present-day Ada

Slave Warrior: The Beginning (2007)

Veno (2004)

Dangerous Babe (2003) as Janet

Man Snatcher (2003)

Festival of Fire (2002)

Vuga (2000)

Vuga 2 (2000)

The President's Daughter (2000)

Highway to the Grave (2000) as Sonia

Curse from Beyond (2000) as Janet

Dirty Game (1998)

Full Moon (1998) as Lucy

Juliet Must Die

Maximum Risk

Mena

Queen of the Night

Red Machete

Most Wanted (1998) as Cleopatra

Personal Life 

Regina Askia-Williams is married to Rudolph 'Rudy' Williams, an American and the nephew of Ron Everette and grandson of Fess Williams. They have two children: Teesa Olympia and Rudolph Junior. She also has a daughter from a previous relationship, model Stephanie Hornecker.

Net Worth

Regina Askia's net worth is estimated at $500,000 as of 2024.

Social Media Handle 

Instagram: @reginaaskia