Christiana Nkemdilim Egbo Aka Tana Adelana was born in the early 80s into a Royal and Catholic Christian home. She is the last of 10 children. She hails from Nara Unateze in Nkanu East Local government area of Enugu state, Nigeria.
Tana grew up in Lagos and attended Treasureland nursery and primary school Surulere and Saint Francis Catholic Secondary school Idimu, for her first and second school leaving certificates. She went on to The University of Lagos where she bagged a BSc in Urban and regional planning.
Tana also has a diploma in makeup and Aesthetics from the makeup art school London (south Africa campus) as well as a Special Executive Masters certificate in Leadership and Management from the Metropolitan school of business Administration and Management UK.
Tana is married and blessed with two children.
Career
Tana started her career in the late 90’s as a model. During her modelling days, she was a force in the industry, especially as a photo and commercial model. She modelled for major brands like MTN, Knorr seasoning cubes, Morning fresh and ultimately, the face of Collectibles ( a foremost fashion retail business physically spread across 5 states in Nigeria and Accra Ghana).
The multi faceted entertainer auditioned for MTN Yhello show in 2001 and landed the gig. This was the beginning of greatness for the talented on-air personality and from then on, she became one of the most sort after on air personalities in Nigeria and pan African, with Channel O ( the biggest southern African music platform at the time ) employing her to host all its shows based in Nigeria which included Big brother Nigeria eviction parties, 100% Naija, etc.
Tana continued to break barriers. She hosted some of the most notable shows in Nigeria like Mnet’s Let’s Dance, Peak Talent show, Big brother Africa Nigerian rep, Zain Naira show, etc..
After getting married in 2007 and having her kids, Tana took a break to build her home and solidify the foundation before returning to the scene years later with a big bang with her role as Mrs Ranesh in the Ghana flick “Single and Married” where she got several nominations for her performance. She also gave a stellar performance in the popular Nollywood movie “The Kingdom” where she played “princess Gina”.
Since then, Tana has appeared in numerous Nollywood movies and television series,
some of which are; Expired Maiden, 3 is A crowd, Blueprint, Baby Daddy, 30 years A
virgin, Alter Date, True Betrayal, Wife Hunter, Taxi, Displaced, Single married and
complicated, Purple hearts, Body Language, Hush and many more..
As an On-Air personality, Tana won the Grind Awards, Future Awards and numerous
nominations for her work.
For her stellar performance in “Body Language” where she played Sodiq. A character
with Multiple personalities (stripper by night and marketing executive by day) Tana
bagged herself, A Best of Nollywood Award for Best Actress, a nomination at the Golden
movie awards in Ghana, and a City people Best Actress Award.
The 14th Abuja International film Festival gave Tana a major Nod as the Best Actress in a
Leading role for yet another intriguing and stellar performance in the true-life story of
Juliet Ademola (fictional name) “Purple hearts”, a breast cancer patient and survivor, a
movie that brought out emotions in many.
Purple Heart got the attention of the United Nations (UNFPA) as one of its Millennium development goals is to reduce the Mortality rate in women. The movie was screened in Nairobi, Kenya where Tana on the Body’s invitation was in attendance to create awareness for the disease.
Tana continues to break barriers as she gets yet another nod as the best supporting
Actress from the most prestigious award for an actor in Africa, The Africa Magic Viewers
Choice Awards (AMVCA 2024) for her role in “Ijogbon” , A Netflix Movie as produced and
directed by Kunle Afolayan.
Tana has gone on to set up her production company TA production Studios, now fondly
called TAP Studios. TAP studios is tasked with producing content for Tana’s Youtube
Channel (TANA ADELANA TV) as well as content for Pay TV, Cinema and Festivals. In
2024, the company produced its first big budget project titled “Tender Hedges” which
was made with film festivals in mind. With over 5 film festivals around the globe
selecting Tender Hedges to be included in their festivals, it is worthy to note that Tender
Hedges got a whooping 11 nominations at the Toronto International Nollywood Film
Festival and winning the best producer of the year. At the Abuja International Film
Festival, Tender Hedges got 3 nominations with Tana winning the Best Actress Category.
For being knowledgeable in the film and entertainment sector in Nigeria, under the
governorship of His Excellency, Governor Godwin Obaseki, Tana was appointed the
Assistant Director of The Edo Film Project, a project tasked with providing necessary
incentives for movie producers and visual content producers willing to film in the state.
Edo State, has gone on be the second largest film location in Nigeria, only next to Lagos
state.
Currently, TAP studios is set up its first studio address located in the heart of Lekki
Phase1 in Lagos, a studio which will be open to podcasters, content creators as well as
providing A-Z solution for a complete production and a working space for film makers
who require a functional space and address to work out of.
Tana is set to take on her first directorial debut.
The Humanitarian
Tana runs her own NGO called Lend a hand with Tana Adelana. She provides food,
medical aid and general needs for the vulnerable in the society.
Tana has given scholarships to a few people especially those with Disabilities and
children. This earned her a Humanitarian award at the 2019 LaMode Green October
event where she was also an advocate for people living with disabilities. Tana also
received a humanitarian award from the symbol of hope foundation in 2019.
In 2024, she was also an honorary recipient of the La Mode award for her continuous
contributions to humanity.
Tana currently sits on the board of directors for her late father (Igwe Patrick Okoro
Egbo)’s foundation named after him; The Igwe Patrick Okoro Okoro Egbo Foundation
(TIPOEF). The foundation is aimed at bettering the lives of indigenes of Nara Unateze
home and away, with healthcare and education being its primary focus.