8 Nigerian Actors Who Are University Lecturers

Most Nigerian actors skillfully manage their roles as both entertainers and university lecturers, creating an interesting connection between acting and academia. These individuals’s commitment enhances not only the entertainment sector but also greatly contributes to bringup aspiring talents.

These actors effortlessly handle their entertainment careers alongside being university lecturers. This double-duty showcases their devotedness to acting and education alike.
Now, let’s closely examine eight prominent Nigerian actors who have embraced the role of educators while pursuing their acting careers.

Table Of Contents

1. Peter Fatomilola

Chief Peter Fatomilola was born on 16 January 1946 in Ifisin-Ekiti, Ekiti State, Nigeria. He is a Nigerian dramatist, film actor, poet, and prolific playwright. He inherits the heritage of his father, who was the Oluwo (Olu-awo, meaning Lord of the oracle), and this influenced his herbalist role in Nigerian films. His mother comes from Isare-Oge in Kwara State. In 1967, he joined the Olokun Theatre group, led by the late Professor Ola Rotimi, a renowned dramatist and prolific playwright at Obafemi Awolowo University, previously called the University of Ife.

He works as a member of the academic and senior staff at Obafemi Awolowo University, where he earned a Bachelor of Arts degree in Theatre Arts in 1978.

2. Sola Fosudo

Sola Fosudo came into the world in 1958. He is a talented Nigerian playwright, scholar, critic, film actor, and director.

Sola comes from Lagos State. He learned about drama at Obafemi Awolowo University and University of Ibadan, where he earned a Master of Arts degree in drama. He took part in and oversaw the making of numerous Nigerian films. Currently, he leads the Department of Theatre Art at Lagos State University and serves as the university’s director of information.

3. Hafiz Oyetoro

Afeez Oyetoro, also known as “Saka,” was born on August 20, 1963, in Iseyin Local Government Area, Oyo State, southwestern Nigeria. He’s a well-known Nigerian comic actor.

Afeez earned both a Bachelor’s and Master’s degree in Theatre Arts from Obafemi Awolowo University (OAU) and the University of Ibadan (UI), respectively. He has recently achieved his doctorate degree from the University of Ibadan in Oyo State. Afeez Oyetoro is famous for his comedic roles in Nollywood movies and has appeared in numerous Nigerian films. Currently, he works as a lecturer in the Department of Theatre Arts at Adeniran Ogunsanya College of Education in Lagos State, Nigeria.

4. Doyin Hassan

Doyin Hassan gained fame for his role in Saworoide, and the actor known for his gentle voice has continued to star in Christian movies produced by Mike Bamiloye’s Mount Zion Film Productions.

Born on November 13, 1969, Professor Doyin Hassan (PhD) serves as an actor, drama minister, director, producer, and also holds the position of Professor of International Business Management at Conestoga College, Ontario, Canada. He actively engages on social media.

Doyin Hassan earned a PhD in Marketing and now holds the position of senior lecturer in the marketing department at Lagos State University (LASU). He formerly served as the Head of Department and currently acts as an Assistant Director at the university’s School of Part-Time Studies, overseeing the Ogba and Ikorodu campuses.

5. Professor Akinwumi Isola

Akinwumi Isola was born on December 24, 1939. He engaged in various activities, such as being a Yoruba playwright, novelist, actor, dramatist, culture activist, and scholar. professor Akinwumi gained recognition for his Yoruba language writing and its promotion. He performed in Agogo Eèwò (2002), Efunsetan Aniwura (1981), and Efunsetan Aniwura (2005).

In 1991, Obafemi Awolowo University appointed him as a professor. While studying at the University of Ibadan, he authored his debut play, Efunsetan Aniwura, between 1961 and 1962. Following that, he crafted a novel titled O Le Ku. In 1986, he composed the college anthem sung by Wesley College Ibadan.

He passed away on February 17, 2018, in Ibadan, Oyo State, at the age of 78.

6. Kola Oyewo

Kola Oyewo, a Nigerian veteran actor, dramatist, and scholar, was born on 27 March 1946.

He went to Obafemi Awolowo University. There, he got a certificate in dramatic arts and Yoruba oral literature. Later, in 1995, he earned a Bachelor of Arts (B.A.) degree in Theatre art from the same university. He then studied at the University of Ibadan, where he got a Master of Arts (M.A.) and a Ph.D. in drama.

Oyewo joined Obafemi Awolowo University in 1996. He became a senior lecturer there and retired in September 2011. After retiring, he started working at Redeemer’s University. Currently, he’s the head of the department of dramatic art. He also teaches at Elizade University Ilara-Mokin, Ondo State, as a performing arts lecturer.

7. Sam Dede

Samuel Dedetoku, who goes by the stage name Sam Dede was born on 17 November 1968. He is a veteran actor, director, politician, and lecturer from Nigeria. He studied Theatre Arts at the University of Port Harcourt and is well-known for his roles in movies.

Besides his acting career, he teaches acting to aspiring actors at the University of Port Harcourt. One of his students, Yul Edochie, later became a prominent actor in Nollywood.

8. Tunji Sotimirin

Tunji Sotimirin, a seasoned Nollywood actor, has been active in the Nigerian movie industry for nearly three decades. He acted in ‘Owuro Lojo’ with a young Joke Silva in the early 90s and has appeared in many films, including Tade Ogidan’s ‘Hostages’. This humorous actor now teaches at the University of Lagos in the department of theatre arts.

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