{{Short description|Nigerian actor (born 1976)}} {{Use dmy dates|date=November 2022}} {{Use Nigerian English|date=January 2024}} {{Infobox person | name = Odunlade Adekola | image = AMVCA 51.jpg | image_size = | alt = | caption = | birth_name = Odunlade Adekola | birth_date = {{Birth date and age|df=yes|1976|12|31}} | birth_place = Abeokuta, Ogun State, Nigeria | alma_mater = {{plainlist| * Moshood Abiola Polytechnic * University of Lagos }} | occupation = {{flatlist| * Actor * filmmaker * director * producer }} | parents = | relatives = | spouse = Ruth Adekola | children = 5 | years_active = 1996–present | known_for = {{flatlist| * Sunday Dagboru * Alani Pamolekun * Mufu Oloosha oko * Adebayo Aremu Abere * Odaju * Oyenusi * Saamu alajo * Ahamo }} | awards = AMVCA Best supporting Actor | website = }} '''Odunlade Adekola Jonathan''' ({{Pronunciation|Yo-Odunlade Adekola.ogg|Listen|(|help=no}}; (born 31 December 1976) is a Nigerian actor, film-maker, film producer and film director.<ref name="vanguardngr.com">{{Cite news|url=http://www.vanguardngr.com/2014/04/fathia-balogun-odunlade-adekola-shine-yoruba-movie-academy-awards-2014/|location=Lagos, Nigeria|title=Fathia Balogun, Odunlade Adekola shine @ Yoruba Movie Academy Awards 2014|date=2 April 2014|newspaper=Vanguard}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news |title=Odunlade Adekola signs out of Unilag - The Nation Newspaper |url=https://thenationonlineng.net/odunlade-adekola-signs-unilag/amp/ |location=Lagos, Nigeria|access-date=2022-02-26 |newspaper=The Nation}}</ref> He gained popularity and was widely known for his lead role in Ishola Durojaye's 2003 movie, ''Asiri Gomina Wa'', and has acted in many Nollywood movies since then.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.informationng.com/2013/10/odunlade-adekola-reveals-how-he-became-the-hottest-actor-in-nollywood.html|title=Odunlade Adekola Reveals How He Became 'the Hottest Actor' in Nollywood|last=Deolu|date=2013-10-12|website=Information Nigeria|language=en-US|access-date=2019-07-30}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|title=Odunlade Adekola - Watch now|url=https://irokotv.com/actors/1127/odunlade-adekola|access-date=2019-07-30|website=irokotv.com}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.nigeriafilms.com/celebrity-gossips/101-spotlight/13673-actor-odunlade-adekola-soaring-higher-and-higher|title=ACTOR ODUNLADE ADEKOLA SOARING HIGHER AND HIGHER|website=Nigeria Films|language=en-gb|access-date=2019-07-30|archive-date=13 October 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201013125106/https://www.nigeriafilms.com/celebrity-gossips/101-spotlight/13673-actor-odunlade-adekola-soaring-higher-and-higher/|url-status=dead}}</ref> He is the founder and CEO of the Odunlade Adekola Film Production (OAFP).<ref>{{Cite news |last= |first= |date=2024-04-06 |title=Odunlade Adekola: I flow easily with indigenous content |url=https://guardian.ng/saturday-magazine/celebrity/odunlade-adekola-i-flow-easily-with-indigenous-content/ |location=Lagos, Nigeria|access-date=2024-05-11 |newspaper=The Guardian|language=en-US}}</ref>
==Early life== Adekola was born and raised in Abeokuta, Ogun State, and he is a native of Otun Ekiti, Ekiti State.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://dailyindependentnig.com/2013/02/im-not-a-stereotype-odunlade-adekola/|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130218050527/http://dailyindependentnig.com/2013/02/im-not-a-stereotype-odunlade-adekola/|url-status=usurped|archive-date=18 February 2013|title=I'm not a stereotype –Odunlade Adekola|work=Daily Independent, Nigerian Newspaper}}</ref>
== Education == Odunlade Adekola attended St. John's Primary School and St. Peter's College in Abeokuta, Ogun State and then obtained the West African School Certificate (WASCE) Examination before he proceeded to Moshood Abiola Polytechnic,(MAPOLY) where he received a diploma certificate.<ref>{{Cite news|url=http://www.thisdaylive.com/articles/adekola-glo-endorsement-happiest-moment-of-my-life/121484|title=Adekola: Glo Endorsement Happiest Moment of My Life|access-date=17 February 2015|archive-date=13 October 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201013125120/http://www.thisdaylive.com/articles/adekola-glo-endorsement-happiest-moment-of-my-life/121484/|url-status=dead|newspaper=This Day}}</ref> Odunlade proceeded to further his education and in May 2018, he received a degree in Bachelors of Business Administration at the University of Lagos.<ref>{{Cite web |url=http://www.lagostelevision.com/actor-odunlade-adekola-graduates-unilag/ |title=Actor, Odunlade Adekola Graduates From Unilag |website=Lagos Television |date=21 November 2017 |access-date=2018-08-22 |archive-date=13 October 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201013125122/http://www.lagostelevision.com/actor-odunlade-adekola-graduates-unilag// |url-status=dead }}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |url=http://www.informationng.com/2017/11/odunlade-adekola-graduates-unilag.html |title=Odunlade Adekola Graduates From Unilag(DLI) | website = Information Nigeria |date=19 November 2017 |access-date=2018-08-22}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |url=https://www.naija.ng/1168720-nigerian-actor-odunlade-adekola-graduates-university-lagos.html |title=Nigerian actor Odunlade Adekola graduates from University of Lagos|website=Pulse.ng |date=10 May 2018|access-date=2018-08-22}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|date=2017-10-07|title=Why I went back to school- Actor Odunlade Adekola {{!}} Premium Times Nigeria|url=https://www.premiumtimesng.com/entertainment/nollywood/245346-i-went-back-school-actor-odunlade-adekola.html|access-date=2021-09-02|language=en-GB}}</ref>
==Career== Odunlade Adekola began his acting career in 1996, the same year he joined the Association of Nigeria Theatre Arts practitioners.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Royal FM 95.1 - Celebrity Brief: Odunlade Adekola Odunlade Adekola fan Odunlade Adekola is a Nigerian actor, singer, film-maker, producer and director. He was born December 31, 1978 in Abeokuta, Ogun state. Odunlade graduated from the University Of Lagos where he obtained a bachelor degree in Business Administration. In 1996, he started his acting career, the same year he joined the Association of Nigeria Theatre Arts Practitioners. In 2003, he was brought into the limelight after he featured in the movie titled Asiri Gomina Wa. Ever since he started his acting career, he has featured and produced in various movies which includes Ajibade, Yeye Alara, Omo Germany, Gbemileke, Ado Agbara, Alani Pamolekun, Sunday Dagboru, Mufu Olosha Oko, Oyenusi among others. Fans of Odunlade Adekola Odunlade Adekola ODUNLADE ADEKOLA {{!}} Facebook |url=https://hi-in.facebook.com/RoyalFM951/photos/a.110921862285950/5406225452755538/ |access-date=2022-07-13 |website=hi-in.facebook.com |language=hi}}</ref> He has starred in, scripted, produced and directed several Nigerian films also known as Nollywood over the years.<ref>{{Cite news|url=http://www.punchng.com/entertainment/saturday-beats/adekola-odunlade-denies-dating-fathia-balogun/|title=Adekola Odunlade denies dating Fathia Balogun|access-date=17 February 2015|archive-date=13 October 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201013125145/https://punchng.com/entertainment/saturday-beats/adekola-odunlade-denies-dating-fathia-balogun//|url-status=dead|newspaper=The Punch}}</ref> In April 2014, Adekola won the Africa Movie Academy Award for the best actor of the year.<ref name="vanguardngr.com"/><ref>{{cite web|url=http://tribune.com.ng/entertainment/item/2723-fathia-balogun-odunlade-adekola-dele-odule-shine-in-yoruba-movie-awards-uche-jombo-majid-michel-desmond-elliot-battle-for-amaa-awards/2723-fathia-balogun-odunlade-adekola-dele-odule-shine-in-yoruba-movie-awards-uche-jombo-majid-michel-desmond-elliot-battle-for-amaa-awards|title=Fathia Balogun, Odunlade Adekola, Dele Odule shine in Yoruba movie awards|author=Joan Omionawele|work=tribune.com.ng}}</ref> In December 2015, he marked his entrance into the Nigerian music industry.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://slickson.com/odunlade-adekola-dumps-movie-goes-into-music/|title=Odunlade Adekola Dumps Movie, Goes into Music|author=Slickson|work=slickson.com}}</ref> Photographs of Odunlade during filming are widely used as internet memes across the Nigerian websphere.<ref>{{Cite news |url=http://www.pulse.ng/gist/pop-culture/nigerian-comedy-face-of-nigerian-memes-award-goes-to-odunlade-adekola-id6736908.html |title=Face of Nigerian memes award goes to Odunlade Adekola |newspaper=Pulse Nigeria|date=25 May 2017 |access-date=2017-10-06 |archive-date=13 October 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201013125219/https://www.pulse.ng/gist/nigerian-comedy-face-of-nigerian-memes-award-goes-to-odunlade-adekola/cm4vnpj/ |url-status=dead }}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |url=https://www.acceleratetv.com/odunlade-adekola-viral-face-nigerian-memes/ |title=WHY IS ODUNLADE ADEKOLA THE VIRAL FACE OF NIGERIAN MEMES? |date=May 26, 2017 |website=Accelerate TV |access-date=2017-10-06}}</ref> On 17 September 2018, Odunlade Adekola became the brand ambassador for RevolutionPlus Property Development Company. It was indeed a remarkable day for him. He was officially unveiled as the company's Brand ambassador at their Ikeja office in Lagos.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.citypeopleonline.com/odunlade-adekola-now-revolutionplus-ambassador-reveals-why-he-accepted-the-offer/|title=ODUNLADE ADEKOLA Now REVOLUTIONPLUS Ambassador – Reveals Why He Accepted the Offer|date=24 September 2018}}</ref> Odunlade Adekola is a brand ambassador to several organizations such as Goldberg beer and Globacom Telecommunications<ref>{{Cite news|url=https://www.vanguardngr.com/2011/08/glo-ambassador/|location=Lagos, Nigeria|title=GLO Ambassador!|date=18 August 2011|newspaper=Vanguard}}</ref>
== Personal life == Odunlade Adekola was born to Deaconess Adekola and Pastor Nathaniel .A. Adekola.<ref>{{Cite web |date=2022-08-08 |title=CAC Habitation of Peace District holds retirement service for father of renowned nollywood actor, Pastor Adekola |url=https://www.cacworldnews.com/2022/08/cac-habitation-of-peace-district-holds.html |access-date=2024-12-27 |website=CAC World News |language=en}}</ref> His father serves as a Servant of God at a congregation of the Christ Apostolic Church (CAC) in Abeokuta, Ogun state. At the time of Odunlade's birth, his father held the position of a choirmaster in the church. Over time, he progressed in his religious journey and eventually became a pastor within the Christ Apostolic Church. Both of Odunlade's parents, Pastor Adekola and Deaconess Adekola, are devoted clergy people hailing from Ekiti, Nigeria.<ref>{{cite web | access-date=2023-06-08 | url=https://www.yourstru.ly/people/odunlade-adekola/ | title=Odunlade Adekola Age, Wife, House, Cars, Net Worth, Children, Parents, Movies & Hotel Business » Yours Truly | date=2023-04-04 | language=en-US | website=www.yourstru.ly}}</ref>
He married Ruth Adekola in 2003, and has five children.<ref>{{Cite news|last=Okanlawon|first=Taiwo|date=2020-01-07|title=Actor Odunlade Adekola opens up on his marriage|url=https://www.pmnewsnigeria.com/2020/01/07/actor-odunlade-adekola-opens-up-on-his-marriage/|location=Lagos, Nigeria|access-date=2021-03-09|newspaper=P.M. News|language=en-US}}</ref>
==Filmography== * ''Asiri Gomina Wa (2003)'' *''Iku lopin (2006) as Adegoke'' *''Alaga Garage (2007) as Blade'' *''Jenifa (2008) as Kola'' *''Emi Nire Kan (2009)'' *''Sunday Dagboru (2010)'' *''Monday Omo Adugbo (2010)'' *''Jelili (2011) as Sisi Kola'' *''Mufu Olosa Oko (2013)'' *''Kabi O Osi (2014)'' *''Oyenusi (2014)'' *''Ma ko fun E (2014)'' *''Eje Tutu (2015)'' *''Alani pamolekun (2015)'' *''Gbolahan (2015)'' *''Oju Eni Mala (2015)'' *''Kurukuru (2015)'' *''Olosha (2015)'' *''Omo Colonel ''(2015) *''Aroba (2015)'' *''Oro (2015)'' *''Baleku (2015)'' *''Babatunde Ishola Folorunsho (2015)'' *''Adebayo Aremu Abere (2015)'' *''Adajo Agba (2015)'' *''Oyun Esin (2015)'' *''Taxi Driver: Oko Ashewo (2015)'' *''Sunday gboku gboku (2016)'' *''Abi eri re fo ni (2016)'' *''Igbesemi (2016)'' *''Lawonloju (2016)'' *''Pepeye Meje (2016)<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://kokolevel.com/2017/04/actor-odunlade-adekola-wife-wellcomes-baby-boy/|title=Actor Odunlade Adekola & Wife Wellcomes Baby Boy|website=kokolevel.com|date=12 April 2017|language=en-GB|access-date=2018-01-02}}</ref>'' *''Asiri Ikoko (2016)'' *''Astray (2016) as Dolamu'' *''The Grudge (2016) as Taju'' *''Shola Arikusa (film)'' ''(2017)'' *''Samu Alajo (2017)'' *''Pate Pate (2017)'' *''Adura (2017)'' *''Ere Mi'' (2017) *''Okan Oloore (2017)'' *''Ota (2017)'' *''Owiwi (2017)'' *''Agbara Emi (2017)'' *''Critical Evidence (2017)'' *''Olowori (2017)'' *''Iku Lokunrin (2017)'' *''Eku Meji (2017)'' *''Yeye Alara (2018) as Dongari'' *''Ado Agbara (2019)'' *''Ile Afoju (2019)'' *''Agbaje Omo Onile 1, 2, 3'' *''Omo Germany (2018)'' *''The Vendor (2018) as Gbadebo / Godwin'' *''Gbemileke 1,2,3 (2019)'' *''The Legend of Inikpi (2020) as Young Attah Ayegba'' *''Sammu Alajo Comedy series (2020–Present)'' *''The Miracle Centre (2020) as Taxi Driver'' *''President Kuti (2021)<ref>{{Cite news|url=https://www.vanguardngr.com/2021/09/president-kuti-hits-over-2-million-views-in-2-weeks-yekini-bakare/|location=Lagos, Nigeria|title="President Kuti" hits over 2 million views in 2 weeks - Yekini Bakare|date=September 28, 2021|newspaper=Vanguard}}</ref> as Ayomide'' * ''Ajibade'' (In Cinemas, December 2021) * ''Ile Alayo'' (2021) * ''My Mirror'' (2021) *''King of Thieves'' (In Cinemas, April 2022) as Adegbite *''Elesin Oba, The King's Horseman'' (September 2022) as Elesin *''Idande (2022)'' *''Win or Lose (2022) as Agbabi aka'' *''Unseen Trap (2022) as Demilade'' *''Arinola (2023)'' *''Deity (2023) as Oba Adefolarin'' *''Malaika (2023) as King Towabola'' *''Jagun Jagun (2023) as Jigan'' *''Dabira (2023)'' *''Apata (2023)'' *''Orisa (2023)<ref>{{Cite news |title=ODUNLADE ADEKOLA'S "ORISA" TO BECOME MOST WATCHED NOLLYWOOD FILM |url=https://guardian.ng/life/odunlade-adekolas-orisa-to-become-most-watched-nollywood-film/|location=Lagos, Nigeria|access-date=2023-09-05 |newspaper=The Guardian|date=3 August 2023 |language=en-US}}</ref>'' *''Lakatabu (2024) as Lakatabu'' *''Jiro (2024) as Sola'' *''For My Area (2024) as Hon. Ajilo'' *''Ruthless (2024) as Detector'' *''Beast of Two Worlds (2024) as King Towabola'' *''Aiyefele (2024)'' *''Lisabi: The Uprising (2024) as Alaafin of Oyo'' *''Alakada: Bad and Boujee'' (2024) *''Labake Olododo'' (2025) *''Owambe Thieves'' (2025) *''Gingerrr'' (2025)
== Awards and nominations == {| class="wikitable" |+ !Year !Award !Category !Result !Ref |- |2017 |Best of Nollywood Awards |Best Actor in a Lead role –Yoruba |{{nom}} |<ref>{{Cite news|date=2017-11-23|title=BON Awards 2017: Kannywood's Ali Nuhu receives Special Recognition Award|url=https://dailytrust.com/bon-awards-2017-kannywood-s-ali-nuhu-receives-special-recognition-award|access-date=2021-10-07|newspaper=Daily Trust|language=en|archive-date=7 October 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211007214920/https://dailytrust.com/bon-awards-2017-kannywood-s-ali-nuhu-receives-special-recognition-award|url-status=dead}}</ref> |- |2018 |Africa Magic Viewers’ Choice Awards |Best Actor in a Comedy |{{Won}} | |- |2019 |Best of Nollywood Awards |Best Supporting Actor –Yoruba |{{nom}} |<ref>{{Cite news|last=Bada|first=Gbenga|date=2019-12-15|title=BON Awards 2019: 'Gold Statue', Gabriel Afolayan win big at 11th edition|url=https://www.pulse.ng/entertainment/movies/bon-awards-2019-gold-statue-gabriel-afolayan-win-big-at-11th-edition/4d0w2n4|access-date=2021-10-10|newspaper=Pulse Nigeria|language=en}}</ref> |- |Rowspan = 2| 2022 |Africa Magic Viewers' Choice Awards |Best Supporting Actor |{{won}} |<ref>{{Cite news |title=2022 Africa Magic Awards Nominees don land- See who dey list |work=BBC News Pidgin |url=https://www.bbc.com/pidgin/tori-60818021 |access-date=2022-03-26}}</ref> |- |'''NET Honours''' |Most Popular Actor |{{won}} |<ref name="Abiosun 2022">{{Cite news | last=Abiosun | first=Anjolaoluwa | title=NET Honours: Full List of Class of 2022 Winners |newspaper=The NET| date=July 1, 2022 | url=https://thenet.ng/net-honours-full-list-of-class-of-2022-winners/ |location=Lagos, Nigeria| access-date=July 30, 2022}}</ref><ref name="Azubuike 2022">{{Cite news | last=Azubuike | first=Emmanuel | title=NET Honours 2022: Odunlade Adekola Wins Most Popular Actor Award |newspaper=The NET| date=July 3, 2022 | url=https://thenet.ng/net-honours-2022-odunlade-adekola-wins-most-popular-actor-award/ |location=Lagos, Nigeria| access-date=July 30, 2022}}</ref> |- |}
==See also== *List of Yoruba people *List of Nigerian actors
==References== {{Reflist|30em}}
{{Authority control}}
{{DEFAULTSORT:Adekola, Odunlade}} Category:Living people Category:Nigerian male film actors Category:Male actors from Abeokuta Category:Male actors in Yoruba cinema Category:Yoruba male actors Category:21st-century Nigerian male actors Category:Moshood Abiola Polytechnic alumni Category:University of Lagos alumni Category:Yoruba filmmakers Category:Yoruba-language film directors Category:Entertainers from Ekiti State Category:1976 births Category:Nigerian film producers Category:Nigerian male singers Category:Nigerian chief executives Category:Nigerian film directors