Odunlade Adekola is a renowned Nigerian actor, singer, film-maker, producer, director and an investor. He has been rated as the top Pillar upholding the Yoruba Movies in Nigeria.
He was born on December 31, 1978 in Abeokuta, Ogun State, in south western Nigeria to a Christ Apostolic Church Choirmaster father, who later became a pastor in the same church.
Educational Background
Odunlade had his primary education at St John’s Primary School and St. Peter’s College in Abeokuta, where he obtained his first and secondary school certificates respectively. He went to Moshood Abiola Polytechnics, in Ogun State where he obtained a Diploma Certificate and later a Bachelor’s Degree in Business Administration from the University of Lagos. He has since remained active, focused and relevant especially in the Yoruba movie industry.
His Acting Career
Odunlade Adekola who joined Nollywood in 1996 started acting at a very early age, when he and his friends used to act as jesters whenever any event or anniversary was holding in his church, the Christ Apostolic Church, Lafenwa, Abeokuta. This was beginning of his acting career and he developed strong passion for it which later in life galvanized him to greatness in Nollywood.
Odunlade is indeed a good actor, skillful and exceptionally talented in acting and interpreting movie roles. He accepts any character assigned him in the industry. He had starred, scripted, produced and directed several Nigerian movies since joining the Nigerian Movie Industry and has won several Awards for his dramatic Performances.
He was nurtured by the late Nollywood actor and producer Isola Durojaiye (also known as Alasari). Odunlade has acted over 100 movies to his credit, some of which include:
- Mufu Olosa Oko
- Oyenusi
- Sunday Dagboru
- Monday Omo Adugbo
- Kabi O Osi
- Emi Nire Kan
- Kurukuru
- Olosha
- Omo Colonel
- Aroba
- Oro
- Baleku
- Babatunde Ishola Folorunsho
- Adebayo Aremu Abere
- Adajo Agba
- Oyun Esin
- Taxi Driver: Oko Ashewo and several others too numerous to mention here.
Awards
In the course of his acting career, Odunlade Adekola has won several prestigious awards. Some and most recent of his awards include:
- 2014 best actor of the year at African Academy Awards.
- 2017 best actor of the year (Yoruba) at City People Entertainment Awards.
- 2018 Nominee as Nollywood star at the African Magic Viewers Choice Awards.
In December 2015, Odunlade ventured into music and recorded a tremendous success.
As an investor, he has also set up his Movie Production Company, known as Odunlade Adekola Film Production (OAFP).
His Personal Life
He got married to his lovely wife, Ruth Adekola. They first met at the start of 2003 and became husband and wife in the same year.
However, there was a rumour peddling around that Eniola is Odunlade’s second wife. This allegation was strongly denied by Eniola saying that she is only his beloved woman in the movie industry, not in reality.
She argued further that she would never flirt with Odunlade because he is her close friend, known to both families. She concluded that she appreciates his wife Ruth and her children.
His Net Worth
Odunlade Adekola has been described as one of the topmost Pillars of the Yoruba movies in Nigeria, rated one of the richest and most influential with a net worth of about $1 million dollars.