Nicholas Monu was born in Nigeria and graduated from the American University in Washington, D.C. He trained at Webber Douglas Academy of Dramatic Art. His classical credits include Grimaldi in John Doyle's production of John Ford's 'Tis Pity She's A Whore at the Liverpool Everyman in 1990. He received a Best Supporting Actor nomination for the Manchester Evening News awards for his performance as Lorenzo in Blues for Mr Charley. He is sometimes credited as Nick Monu (Salisbury Playhouse Othello).