Odunlade Adekola – Biography And Career Of A Super Talented Thespian

Odunlade Adekola is a Nigerian actor, producer, director, and singer. He began his career in 1996 and rose to prominence in 2003, after playing a lead role in Asiri Gomina Wa. Since then, Odun has starred in numerous Yoruba movies and his dynamism has remained the talk of the town.

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Adekola is one of the few celebrities whose pictures are used for internet memes. He is also the CEO and founder of Odunlade Adekola Film Production (OAFP), a platform created in order to build prospective thespians.

Odunlade Adekola Early Life

Odunlade Adekola was born on December 31, 1976 in Abeokuta, Ogun State. Although, he hails from Ekiti state, he was born and raised in Lafenwa, Abeokuta by Pastor and Deaconess Adekola. He grew up in a Christian family that is devoted to church activities.

For his formal education, he started at St. John’s Primary School and moved on to St. Peter’s College, Abeokuta. Subsequently, he attended Moshood Abiola Polytechnic, and earned a National Diploma Certificate. Later on, in 2018, Odunlade bagged a bachelors degree in Business Administration at the University of Lagos.

He is married to Ruth Adekola, and the union is blessed with 4 children.

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Odunlade Adekola Early Career

Odunlade is a member of Christ Apostolic Church, Lafenwa, Abeokuta, and that was where his career began. Early enough, Odun started acting in church with his friend Tunde. He got motivation from his church audience and this spurred him into professional acting.

In 1996, his friend introduced him to a theatre group that meets for rehearsals in the neighborhood. Odun was invited and his demo performance got the entire crew endeared to him. In the group, he started learning some ethics and rudiment of the movie industry, until some invited veterans asked him to join a theatre association. Then, in January 1998, he became a bonafide member of the Association of Nigeria Theatre Arts Practitioners.

At the end, Adekola started producing and featuring in movies. He starred in Faworaja (1999) produced by Bolaji Amusan (Mr Latin). Thereafter, he rose to prominence after featuring as a state Governor in Asiri Gomina Wa (2003). The movie was produced by late Ishola Durojaiye (Alasari).

Today, Adekola has featured in numerous films and has remained a professional actor with numerous awards.

Movies

• Faworaja, 1999
• Asiri Gomina Wa, 2003
• Emi Ni Ire Kan, 2009
• Sunday Dagboru, 2010
• Monday Omo Adugbo, 2010
• Mufu Olosha Oko, 2013
• Kabi O Osi, 2014
• Oyenusi, 2014
• Ma Ko Fun e, 2015
• Alani Pamolekun, 2015
• Gbolahan, 2015
• Taxi Driver – Oko Ashewo, 2015
• Baleku, 2015
• Oro, 2015
• Asiyan, 2015
• Oyun Esin, 2015
• Pepeye Meje, 2016
• Asiri Ikoko, 2016
• Samu Alajo, 2016
• The Grudge, 2016
• Sunday Gboku Gboku, 2016
• Sola Arikusa, 2017
• A Million Baby, 2017
• Critical Evidence, 2017
• Celebrity Marriage, 2017
• Dognapped, 2017
• Fogbonsola, 2017
• Owiwi, 2017
• Wives on Strike – The Revolution, 2017
• The Vendor, 2018
• 200 Million, 2018
• Lagos Real, Fake Life, 2018
• Yeye Alara, 2018
• Nimbe, 2019
• Night Bus To Lagos, 2019
• Ile Afoju, 2019

Songs

Adekola ventured into the music industry in December 2015 and has produced some interesting songs. Some of which include;

• Omo Baba, 2018
• Oju Olorun, 2018
• Arike, 2019

Awards And Recognition

He is an award-winning actor and few of his awards include;

• Best Actor of the Year, City People Entertainment Awards, 2009
• Best Actor of the Year, City People Entertainment Awards, 2011
• The Best Actor in a Leading Role, Yoruba Movie Academy Awards (YMMA), 2012
• Best Actor of the Year, Africa Movie Academy Award, 2014
• Best Actor of the Year, City People Entertainment Awards, 2014
• The Best Actor of the Year, City People Entertainment Awards, 2015
• Best Actor (Indigenous), Nigeria Entertainment Awards, 2015
• Movie Personality of the Year (Male), City People Movie Awards, 2017
• Best Actor, Nigeria Entertainment Awards, 2018
• Best Actor in a Comedy ‘A Million Baby’, Africa Magic Viewer’s Choice Awards, 2018
• Actor of the Year, Independent Achievers Award, 2019
• Most Searched Actor, NET Honours AWard, 2019

Odunlade Adekola Net Worth

Naijaquest.com estimated his net worth to be $1.9 million. He is a popular Yoruba actor and has signed several endorsement deals. In 2015, he became one of the new Globacom ambassadors along with Dija, O C Ukeje, Reedado Bankz, Mama-G, Bovi, A.Y, and Wizkid.

Also, he signed an endorsement deal with Conoil along with Flavour, Helen Paul and Omawumi in 2016.

Odun is also an ambassador to Goldberg. And in 2018, he became an ambassador to a real estate firm, Revolution Plus Property. Additionally, he was endorsed by Ayoola Foods in 2019.

Odun is the CEO and founder of Odunlade Adekola Film Productions (OAFP). It is a film school where upcoming actors and actresses receive professional trainings.

Odunlade Adekola Quotes

“One should never get tired of seeking knowledge because the world is dynamic and ever-changing.”

“After learning for a period, it is only normal to celebrate your efforts. It is a wonderful thing to start a project and finish it; because not everyone is able to do that.”

“Knowledge gathering is a continuous process; it never stops.”

“As we grow older, we realise that challenges are only normal things that happen as one progresses in life.”

“There is always a price to pay for whatever you want to achieve in life.”

“…whatever the government does not support would have a hard time succeeding.”

“If one is not appreciated where he comes from, it would be hard for outsiders to support you.”

“People have different interests and what they look out for. That a woman makes up her face or uses jewelry doesn’t mean she’s not a wife material.”

“If you think you have not made it today to your expectation, check what you are doing. If you are good with it, keep doing it.”

“Talent is incomparable.”

Entrepreneurial Lessons From The Life Of Odunlade Adekola

Versatility.

Odunlade is one of the versatile actors we have in the industry. He got into the industry as a result of the very first test he was given. He was told to act like a mad man, and to the greatest surprise of his spectators, he did it within a twinkle of an eye. Also, Odun is able to function in any role he is given.

Any business man that is versatile can pull many strings beyond reasonable imagination.

Ride on your fame.

A few years back, Adekola ventured into the music industry. According to him, he started music at teen age and was composing songs for his church. Today he is a musician because he utilized the already existing prominence to actualise his musical dreams.

Entrepreneurs should also learn to annex all their dreams with existing opportunities, because people may never know what you have to offer until you start showcasing it.

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Photo Credit: Instagram