Category: Artists

Akintola Akin-Lewis, popularly known as Akin Lewis, is a Nigerian film actor, director, and producer, who is very popular in Yoruba films and sometimes in Nollywood movies.

Early Life & Education

Akin Lewis was born on the 7th of April, 1957, in Ibadan, the capital of Oyo State, which falls in the Southwestern region of Nigeria. He grew up in Lagos State, where he had both his primary and secondary education. He went further to the University of Ife, which is now recognized as Obafemi Awolowo University, where he obtained his B.Sc certificate. After his B.Sc, he won a scholarship to study for his Master’s at the University of Sophia, Bulgaria, where he earned an M.Sc in dramatic Arts.

Career

Akin Lewis joined a theatrical club headed by Nigerian writer and dramatist Professor Bode Sowande in 1973, the same year he started his acting career. He first gained attention when he portrayed the title character in the comic movie Why Worry on NTA Ibadan in 1980. Based on the series, he won the best actor in 1982. In 2005, Tade Ogidan‘s film Madam Dearest propelled him to national recognition. He had appeared in, produced, and directed a number of movies over the years. He appeared in Heroes and Zeroes, a 2010 Nigerian film written and directed by Niji Akanni, as well as Tinsel, a Nigerian soap opera that premiered in August 2008.

Akin Lewis spent more than 20 years working in a business setting before becoming famous, eventually rising to the post of Senior Executive Director. He held positions with NTA, Globacom, and the former Owena Bank, among other corporations. Graig-Phillips College of Technology, a film school in Shonibare Estate, Maryland, Lagos, is where he presently serves as rector.

Personal Life

Much of Akin Lewis’s personal life is not published online, but it is widely known that he is married. Although, it was reported that he already had two failed marriages.

Selected Filmography

• A Soldier’s Story
• Ade Ferarri
• Alabahun
• Alantakun
• Apere
• Better than the Beginning
• Blood in the Lagoon
• Borokini
• Dream on Monkey Mountains
• First Cause
• Heroes and Zeroes
• Hotel Majestic
• Inquest
• Judas Kiss
• King of Boys
• King of Boys: The Return of the King
• Koko Close
• Love Is War
• Love, Sex, and Money
• Mad King of Ijudiya
• Madam Dearest
• Mind Bending
• Moliere
• Mr and Mrs, Chapter
• My Blood
• Olabisi Oloyingbo
• Omo Gomina
• Opa Abo
• Red Hot
• Return From The Dead
• Rivers Between
• Seven and a Half Dates
• Silver Lining
• Soft Work
• Spider
• The Benjamins
• The Gods are not to Blame
• The New Patriots
• The Night Before
• The Vacation
• Tinsel
• Two Sides of a Coin
• Upnorth
• Wedlock of the Gods
• Were Alaso
• Why Worry
• Wild Wolf
• Your Excellency

Awards & Nominations

Year	Event	Prize	Result
2018	City People Movie Award	Yoruba Movie Personality of the Year (Male)	Won
2017	Community Development Committee (CDC)	Award of Excellence	Won
2010	The Audio Visual Awards (TAVA)	Best Actor	Won
1982		Best Actor	Won
1979		Best Overall Student at the University of Ife	Won

Net Worth

Akin Lewis’s net worth is estimated at around $800,000. Although, no verified online sources published his exact net worth.

Social Media Handles

You can follow Akin Lewis through the social media handles below.

Instagram: akinlewis_official

Twitter: @AkintolaLewis

Facebook: Akintola Akin-Lewis

Antar Laniyan’s full name is Antar Babatunde Laniyan. He is a popular Nigerian actor, director, and producer. He is very popular in the Yoruba movie industry and sometimes Nollywood.

Early Life & Education

Antar Laniyan was born on the 26th of May, during the 1960s, in Oshogbo, Osun State, which falls in the Southwestern region of Nigeria. He hailed and grew up in Osun State. He had his secondary school education in Baptist secondary school in Lagos State. Antar Laiyan went further to the University of Ibadan(UI), where he studied Theater Arts and later graduated with a Bachelor of Art certificate.

Career

Antar Laniyan was motivated to pursue a career in acting after seeing a performance at the 1977 Festival of Black Arts and Civilization. However, when he was a secondary school student in 1976, he began his career as an actor. In 1981, Antar started working as a professional actor. He was being mentored at the time by Pappy Ben.

Antar Laniyan started gaining notoriety when he played a military general in the movie “Everybody Wants to Know“, his first significant acting role. He did this when he was a member of the Kakaki Art Squad. Additionally, he has appeared in a number of Nigerian movies, including Sango, which was directed by Obafemi Lasode and written by Wale Ogunyemi. He directed the opening scene of Super Story, the acclaimed Nigerian soap opera created by Wale Adenuga in 2000. He also produced and directed the films This Life and Oh Father, Oh Daughter.

Personal Life

Antar Laniyan has a happy family which consists of a wife and three children. He is known for his strict and principled life, especially in movies.

Selected Filmography

• Last Request
• Sango
• The Return of Jenifa
• Black Val
• Akandun
• The Cleanser
• Eje adegbenro
• Contractors
• Eje adegbenro
• Idunu Mi
• Durodola
• Egun
• Hostages
• Ololade Omo Baba Olowo
• Oju Awe
• Most Wanted
• Arewa
• Oduduwa
• The Oap
• Akobi Gomina
• Olufunmi
• Wanted at all Cost

TV Series

• Super Story

Net Worth

According to different online sources, Antar Laniyan’s net worth is estimated at around $1.5 million.

Social Media Handles

Antar Laniyan is one of the most influential celebrities in the Yoruba movie industry. He has a huge fanbase on his Instagram account, where he has over 860,000 followers. You can follow him through the following handle.

Instagram: @antarthywill

Justice Emonaerere Nuagbe popularly known as Ushbebe is a well-known Nigerian comedian and actor. He also works as a presenter on television and radio stations.

Early Life & Education

Justice Nuagbe was born on the 5th of February, 1986, in Kaduna, into the family of a man who is an Air Officer and Mrs. Evelyn Udunma Nuagbe. He hails from Urhobo in Delta State. He attended Methodist Primary School in Mafoluku for his primary school education. Ushbebe went further to Unity High School in Lagos State for his secondary school education. He went further to study Theater Arts at Delta State University, where he later bagged his Bachelor’s degree.

Career

In 2006, after Justice Nuagbe finished his National Youth Service, he started his career as a banker. In that same year, he changed his profession from banking to entertainment. He worked as a presenter for the AY Show. He also worked as an OAP on Naija FM. At present, he works as the Executive Producer of the Chronicles of Ushbebe TV Show. He has performed comedy skits on different occasions, which include wedding parties, birthday parties, concerts, and so on.

Justice Nuagbe also takes up acting roles in Nollywood films. He has starred in many Nollywood movies, which include Ghetto Bred, a film directed by Eniola Badmus, The Big Fat Lie, Dance To My Beat, Dark Spotlight, and so on.

Personal Life

Justice Nuagbe is happily married. The name of his wife is Annete Osa-Agbontaen. They got married on November 23rd, 2013. The couple is blessed with a son, Ogheneyerovhwo Nuagbe.

Selected Filmography

• Akpe: Return of the Beast
• The Big Fat Lie
• Ghetto Bred
• Dance To My Beat
• Dark Spotlight

Net Worth

According to different sources online, Justice Nuagbe is estimated to have a net worth of $700,000.

Social Media Handles

Ushbebe is very active on social media platforms. He has 1.2 million followers on Instagram, while on Twitter, he has 43,000 followers. You can follow him through the following social media handles.

Instagram: ushbebecomedian

Twitter: @ushbebecomedian

Gbenga Adeyinka is a renowned Nigerian comedian, actor, writer, Master of Ceremony (MC), and Television host. He is popularly known for his self-acclaimed titles, Comedian of the Federal Republic (CFR) and Gand Comedian of Nigerian (GCON).

Early Life & Education

Gbenga Adeyinka was born on the 7th of May, 1968, in Abeokuta, Ogun State, which falls in the Southwestern region of Nigeria. He hailed and spent most of his early life in Abeokuta, thereby having his primary and secondary education in the State. Although, the name of those schools is not revealed. He went further to study English at the University of Lagos.

Career

Before joining the entertainment industry, Gbenga Adeleke secured a job in an Engineering company in Lagos. He later changed profession and joined the entertainment industry shortly after working with the company. He gained wide recognition with his popular Star promo Shine Bobo.

Gbenga has successfully hosted a lot of events and performances for politicians and business leaders in Nigeria and overseas, including weddings, birthday parties, and many more. He is a very resourceful and adaptable comedian. He was the first publisher of the Nigerian comic magazine Laffmattazz, which contributed to the expansion of the country’s entertainment sector.

Gbenga Adeyinka has hosted numerous radio and television shows on networks like AIT, Africa Magic on DSTV, Galaxy, and others. He is a bright, innovative, and extraordinarily accomplished comedian. He is multilingual, speaking English, Igbo, and Yoruba.

Personal Life

Gbenga Adeyinka is a happily married man. The name of his wife is Mrs. Abiola Adeyinka. The couple is blessed with three children.

Net Worth

Different online sources have published the net worth of Gbenga Adeyinka. His net worth is estimated to be around $2 million.

Social Media Handles

Aside from being a renowned politician, Gbenga Adeyinka has develped a huge fan base on social media platforms. He has a verified handle on both Instagram and Twitter. He has over 208,000 followers on Instagram, while on Twitter, he has over 62,000 followers. You can follow him through the following social media handles.

Instagram: gbengaadeyinka1stgcon

Twitter: @gbengaadeyinka

Funke Adesiyan is a Nigerian actress, movie producer, and politician. She is popular for her roles in Nollywood-Yoruba movies. She started out as a model at a very young age before she ventured into acting. The movie “Obinrin Ale” brought her to the limelight. She is currently a personal assistant to the First Lady (Aisha Buhari) on domestic and social events.

Early Life and Education

Funke Adesiyan was born on March 14, 1986 in Oyo State, Ibadan. She had her primary and secondary school education in Ibadan before attending The Polytechnic, Ibadan, where she bagged an Ordinary National Diploma (OND). She studied Performing Arts at Olabisi Onabanjo University. She also bagged a diploma in law from the same university.

She later furthered her education at the New York Film Academy to study filmmaking and directing in 2015, after losing her electoral bid. Other Nigerian entertainers who have attended this prestigious film school include Banky W, Kunle Afolayan, Kemi Adetiba, Ikechukwu, Stephanie Okereke, Dr Sid, and Kunle Remi, among others.

Career

At the age of 13, Funke began modelling, and by the age of 14, she was managing her own business. Due to this, she was able to build her first home while still a teenager and earn her first million naira at age 17.

After losing her election run in 2011, Funke launched a fashion store in her hometown, but a string of terrible circumstances caused her to lose almost all of her money. It was a significant setback. Funke, however, managed to climb her way back to the top and is now in charge of multiple prosperous businesses.

Funke owns a clothing line called “La’venette”. She said that she created every piece of clothing she wore in the film Eti Keta.

Political Career

Funke entered politics at the age of 25 by managing Mallam Shekarau’s presidential campaign. You may remember that Ibrahim Shekarau ran for president in the general elections in Nigeria in 2011. Shekarau was a former minister of education and the governor of Kano State.

In 2015, Funke ran as a candidate for the People’s Democratic Party to represent Ibadan South East in the Oyo State House of Assembly. She was really happy when she won the primary election, and she posted about it on social media. She did, however, lose the election and a sizable portion of her money. She did, however, manage to host a party following the elections as a way to express her gratitude to her supporters.

She switched parties in time for the 2019 general election, joining the All Progressive Congress (APC), and President Muhammad Buhari named her as the First Lady’s personal assistant for domestic and social activities.

Personal Life

Funke is now in a relationship, but she claims that marriage is not a top priority for her. In one of her social media posts, Funke asserts that males are born to lie and that if your boyfriend lies, it is just because he is a man. She cautioned women against leaving their husbands because of infidelity, comparing doing so to moving from Nigeria to America due to weather.

Controversies

Relationship With Saidi Balogun

Funke Adesiyan once had a relationship with fellow actor Saidi Balogun. According to her, she was attracted to him because he was straightforward in his dealings with people and always willing to help others. She left the relationship due to domestic violence. He claimed it was a mistake and would never happen again. However, he persisted. The abuse didn’t stop after their relationship ended, as he began monitoring her movements and he didn’t hesitate to attack her a few more times. At some point, Funke had to employ bodyguards just to be safe from him.

Breast Surgery

It was widely reported in 2013 that Funke had spent $7000 on breast implants in Dubai to increase the size of her breasts. However, Funke has since denied these claims, claiming that her breasts remain largely the same.

Filmography

Funke’s appearance in a Wale Adenuga production in 2003 was her debut in the film industry. Since then, she has appeared in and produced a number of Yoruba films, with Eti keta and Obinrin Ale being the two most notable. The additional films include:

• Ayo Kulehin
• Aparo
• Kakaaki

Awards and Nominations

• Ooni of Ife’s excellence award

Net Worth

Funke Adesiyan’s net worth is unknown, but she is doing well for herself.

Social Media Handles

Instagram: @Funkeadesiyan

Ngozi Sylvia Oluchy Ezeokafor is a renowned Nigerian actress. Due to her acting prowess, she was awarded the Most Promising Act of the Year award in the Best of Nollywood Awards.

Early Life & Education

Sylvia Oluchy was born on the 7th of July, in Lagos. She grew up in Abuja, which is the Federal Capital Territory of Nigeria. She had her primary and secondary school education in Abuja. Oluchy went further to Nnamdi Azikiwe University in Awka, Anambra State, where she studied Theater Arts.

Career

In 2011, Oluchy joined Nollywood on a professional level. She portrayed Idara in her debut acting role in the film Bent Arrows. Her performance in the film won her the award for Rising Star at the Nollywood Movie Awards. Oluchi portrayed Shaniqua in the well-known Atlanta TV series. She gained notoriety and fame in Nollywood because of her outstanding performance in the film, which led to her major roles in other Nollywood movies.

Personal Life

Much of Oluchy’s personal life is not known. But at the time of this publication, she is not married yet.

Selected Filmography

• Honest Deceiver
• Forbidden
• Losing Control
• On Bended Knees
• Bent Arrows
• Play Victim
• Alan Poza
• Being Mrs Elliot

TV Series

• Atlanta Series

Awards & Recognitions

Year	Event	Category	Result
2013	Best of Nollywood Awards	Most Promising Act of the Year (female)	Won
2012	City People Entertainment Awards	Best New Actress	Won
2012	Nollywood Movies Awards	Rising Star Award	Won

Net Worth

According to different online sources, Sylvia Oluchy’s net worth is estimated at around $200,000.

Social Media Handles

You can follow Sylvia Oluchy through the following social media handles.

Instagram: sylviaoluchy

Twitter: @Sylviaoluchy

Balogun Fausat Abeni, who is popularly known as Madam Saje, is a renowned Nigerian actress who is very popular in Yoruba movies. She has featured in over 100 movies.

Early Life & Education

Fausat Balogun was born on the 13th of February, 1959, in Ifelodun Local Government of Kwara State, which falls in the north-central part of Nigeria. She hails from Kwara State but grew up in Lagos State. Madam Saje had most of her education background in Lagos State.

Career

Fausat Balogun began her acting career in the 1990s. She was mentored by the late Mashado’s Ijamodi Yoruba theater troupe, which was based in Lagos Island, Idumota, Lagos State. Later, she gained more experience from seasoned film producer Rafiu Balogun, the leader of the Balogun Theater group.

Fausat Balogun’s debut appearance in the outfield came in the television program “Afonja,” which was created and aired by the Nigerian Television Network Authority (NTA) Channel 10 Production. When Fausat Balogun appeared in the 1979 television program “Abeni Ajagun,” which was produced by her husband Rafiu Balogun, she gained additional notoriety. She came to prominence because of the well-received and favorable reviews of the film.

As soon as she started appearing in “Erin Kee Kee,” another comedy series, her fans began referring to her as Madam Saje, the character she played in the film. As her professional expertise expanded, she was inspired to start her own production company. The first film she produced was “Alaroka,” which was directed by the late Prince Alade Aromire. She then continued with “Oro Itan”, “Ebi Dapo“, and two other movies.

City People Entertainment was made aware of Fausat Balogun’s arduous efforts and dedication to the advancement of Yoruba cinema, and at the 2016 awards ceremony, she was recognized for her contributions to the development of the film industry.

Personal Life

Fausat Balogun got married to Rafiu Balogun, whom she met as a boss in the movie industry in 1979. The couple is blessed with two children, Afeez Balogun and Bintu Balogun. Her children were grownups when she first became well-known. Both of her children also chose acting as their profession, and they have both featured in different Yoruba films.

Selected filmography

• Abgara Obinrin
• Adufe
• Adun Ale
• Akebaje
• Alaimore
• Alase Aye
• Asepamo
• Eepo
• Eto Obinrin
• Gbogbo Lomo
• Ife Kobami
• Ileri Oluwa
• Imported Lomo
• Irenimoyan
• Itelorun
• Iyawo Elenu Razor
• Iyawo Ojokan
• Kokoro Ate
• Laba Laba
• Ladigbolu
• Langbodo
• Leyin Akponle
• Morenike
• Moriyeba
• Nkan Okunkun
• O Ti Poju
• Ogbun Aye
• Ojo Ikunle
• Oju Elegba
• Okan Mi
• Oko Mama E
• Olaitan Anikura
• Olasunkanmi
• Ologo Nla
• Olowo Laye Mo
• Òmìn
• Omo Elemosho
• Omo Pupa
• Omoge Elepa
• Orisirisi (Kose Gbo)
• Owo Onibara
• Oyelaja
• Salawa
• Serekode
• Tanimola

Awards & Recognition

She received a Special Recognition Award at the 2016 City People Entertainment Awards for her “outstanding contributions to the advancement of the filmmaking industry in Nigeria.”

Net Worth

According to different sources online, Fausat Balogun’s net worth is estimated at around $900,000.

Social Media Handles

Madam Saje is a very active social media user. She has over 860,000 followers on Instagram. You can follow her through the following social media handles.

Instagram: @sajetiologa

Facebook: Fausat Balogun

Lanre Adesina Hassan, who is most popularly known as Iya Awero, is a renowned Nigerian film actress. She is very popular in acting in Yoruba films. She has acted in over 60 Yoruba films right from the start of her career in the movie industry.

Early Life & Education

Iya Awero was born on the 3rd of October, 1950, in Lagos. She hails and spent most of his early life in Lagos Island, Lagos State, which falls in the Southwestern part of Nigeria. For her elementary education, She studied at Oduwabore Memorial School, Mushin, Lagos. She went to the Children’s Home School in Ibadan, Oyo State, the St. Peters Faaji School in Lagos Island, and also Molas High School in Lagos Island. Before Iya Awero started acting, she went to the School of Drama where she was trained in the profession.

Career

While still in secondary school, Lanre Hassan started her acting career with the well-known Ojo Ladipo theatre group. Since then, she has appeared in more than 50 Nollywood films. The Ojo Ladipo Theatre Group‘s popular television comedy series “Comedy Half Hour,” in which Iya Awero plays the title role, is popular. Her recognition has increased dramatically, and she is now well-known throughout Nigeria.

Lanre is a remarkable actor who embodies her roles in films with creativity, flair, and exceptional talent. She has almost 30 years of acting experience. She is noted for playing motherly roles in films.  In the 2018 movie “King of Boy,” which was helmed by one of Nigeria’s top female directors, Kemi Adetiba, Lanre Hassan starred as “Iya Loja.”

Personal Life

Aliu Hassan Adesina, who passed away roughly 15 years ago, was Iya Awero’s husband. The couple has three children, two boys and a girl.

Selected filmography

• Adelebo
• Aje Metta
• Aso Ásiri
• Àtànpàkò òtún
• Ayitale
• Baba Lukudi
• Back to Africa
• Boya Lemo
• Dokita Alabere
• Ejide
• Eto Ikoko
• Fadùn Sáyémi
• Family on Fire
• Idajo Mi Tide
• Igba Ewa
• Ìkúnlè Kèsán
• Ìlù Gángan
• Ire Aye Mi
• Ìrírí Mi
• Iró Gunfun
• Ishola Oba-orin
• Iyawo Tunde
• Jawonbe
• Mama Lanre
• Ogbologbo
• Ògìdán
• Ògo Idílé
• Ogo-Nla
• Ojabo Kofo
• Okun Emi
• Okun Ife
• Oluweri Magboojo
• Omo Elemosho
• Oníbárà
• Orí
• Owo Blow
• Owo Blow: The Genesis
• Pakúté Olórun
• Sade Blade

Net  Worth

Despite the demise of Iya Awero’s husband, she still stayed strong and breed her children as a single parent with her accumulated wealth in the movie industry. Different online sources had claimed that her net worth is estimated at around $500,000.

Social Media Handle

Iya Awero has an active Instagram handle with over 21,000 followers. You can follow her through the following handle.

Instagram: @mamaawero

The real and full name of Judy Austin is Moughalu Uchechukwu Judith. She is a renowned Nigerian actress, brand influencer, producer, and also Chief Executive Officer of Judyaustin Boutique. She is also the second wife of popular Nigerian Nollywood actor, Yul Edochie.

Early Life & Education

Judy Austin was born on the 31st of December, 1991, in Anambra State, which falls in the South Eastern region of Nigeria. She grew up in Anambra State.  Most of Judy Austin’s educational background is not disclosed but the certainty is that she graduated from a University with a Bachelor of Science Degree.

Career

Judy Austin entered the Nigerian movie industry in 2013 after she was noticed by Sylvester Madu. She came into the limelight when she was featured in the popular movie Dancer. Due to her acting prowess, she has been featured in several Nollywood films. After years of acting, she started a movie production company and has since then produced many films.

Aside from being a renowned actress and producer, Judy Austin is also a businesswoman. She is the CEO of Judyaustin Boutique. She is also into brand influencing and has a very active social media presence.

Personal Life

She gained notoriety online in April 2022 for being Yul Edochie, a Nollywood actor and movie director, and second wife. Yul and Judy have a happy marriage. They have a son together who goes by the name Star Sike Munachimso Yul-Edochie.

Net Worth

According to different sources online, Judy Austin’s net worth is estimated at around $1 million. Her sources of income are attached to her film production, brand influencing, and her boutique.

Social Media Handle

Judy Austin has a very active social media platform. Her Instagram handle can attest to this, where she has over 217,000 followers. You can follow her through the Instagram handle below.

Instagram: judyaustin1