Famous Nollywood Actors and Actresses From Kwara State

Kwara is a state in Western Nigeria. Its capital is Ilorin. Kwara is located within the North Central geopolitical zone, commonly referred to as the Middle Belt. The primary ethnic group is Yoruba, with significant Nupe, Bariba, and Fulani minorities.

RNN will like to talk about the famous actors and actresses that are from Kwara State

SAIDI BALOGUN

Saheed Balogun, sometimes spelled as “Saidi”, born February 5, 1967, is a veteran Nigerian actor, film-maker, director and producer.

Saheed Balogun was born on the 5th of February, 1967, in Kwara State but grew up in Oyo State, Nigeria where he had his primary, secondary and tertiary education respectively. He graduated from Kwara State Polytechnic.

He began his acting career in 1978, in which he presented his first television program titled “Youth Today” on NTA. He produced his first film titled City Girl in 1989 but had also been featured, produced and directed several Nigerian films before then.

Saheed Balogun was initially married to a Nollywood actress, Fathia Balogun but unfortunately, they got separated and divorced. He has just two children Khalid and Aliyah Balogun.

FEMI ADEBAYO SALAMI

Femi Adebayo, born 31 December 1970, is a Nigerian lawyer, film actor, director, producer and Special Adviser to the Governor of Kwara State on Arts, Culture and Tourism. He is the son of the veteran actor, Adebayo Salami.

Femi Adebayo originates from Ilorin, Kwara State but was born and brought up in  Lagos State.

Adebayo attended the C&S College for his secondary school education. He then went to the University of Ilorin, where he obtained a bachelor’s degree in Law. He later earned a master’s degree in Law at the University of Ibadan.

The actor married Omotayo Adebayo on 9 October 2016. They have one son. He also has three children from an earlier marriage.

He began acting in 1985, the same year he featured in his father’s first movie titled Ogun Ajaye.

Adebayo has starred in over 500 Nigerian films, winning four awards as Best Yoruba actor at the 17th African Film Awards popularly known as Afro Hollywood awards at the Stratford Town Hall in London. He also won an award in the same category for the Best of Nollywood Broadcasting Organization of Nigeria Awards in 2012.

Adebayo has a long list of movies to his credits, which includes the Sonto Alapata, Wura Ati Fadaka, Ma Wobadan and Buga, among others.

He is the MD/CEO of the J-15 media network Nigeria.

Femi Adebayo Award and Honour

Africa Magic Viewers Choice Awards (AMVCA) For Best Indigenous Movie (Yoruba) Etiko Onigedu[12] (2018)
City People Movie Awards For Best Actor Of The Year (Yoruba) (2017)
City People Entertainment Awards For Best Movie Producer Of The Year (Yoruba) (2015)

2.ADEBAYO SALAMI

The famous veteran Nollywood actor, filmmaker, producer, director and television personality, Adebayo Salami is popularly known by his stage name as Oga Bello, is popularly known for playing the role of a father, husband, father-in-law and a titled chief in several Nollywood movies. He acts mostly in English and Yoruba speaking movies. He was born on 9th May 1953 in Lagos State in the southwestern part of Nigeria.

Adebayo Salami is originally from Kwara State in the southwestern part of Nigeria, but was born and bred in Lagos State n the southwestern part of Nigeria, where he completed both his primary and secondary school education and obtained both his First School Leaving Certificate and West African Senior School Certificate.

He began his acting career in 1964, with a group called Young Concert Party, under the leadership of Ojo Ladipo, popularly known as Baba Mero, changed its name to Ojo Ladipo Theatre Group, and later metamorphosed into Awada Kerikeri Theatre Group

Adebayo Salami was a pioneer member of the Association of Nigerian Theatre Arts Practitioners, and also served as the national president of the association.

The veteran actor has been nominated for and has won several awards in Nigeria. In 2014, he won the award for Best Actor in Yoruba at the Best of Nollywood Awards and City People Movie Lifetime Achievement Awards.

Adebayo Salami is currently married to Alhaja Ejide and the marriage is currently blessed with two grown-up children namely Femi Adebayo and Kemi Adebayo. His son Femi Adebayo is also a popular Nollywood actor, producer and director.

3. Yinka Quadri

Alhaji Akanni Olayinka Quadri, is a Nigerian Actor, Film-Maker, Producer and Director, born and raised in Lagos Island, Lagos State, but a native of Oro, Kwara State, he bagged a chieftaincy title as Agba Akin of Oro Kingdom, He is the President & Co-Founder of a Theatre Art Group called (Odunfa Caucus) which office is Situated in Ebute-Meta, Lagos State.

He completed his primary school education and secondary school education at St. Catholic School, Idumagbo, Lagos and Christ High School, Ebute Elefun, Lagos respectively.

Yinka’s acting career started in 1976 when he and Taiwo Olayinka along with a group of friends formed a drama group called Afopina Theatre Group after dropping out of school. He has starred in over 90 Yoruba films since his debut television series titled Agbodorogun. On April 27, 2014, Yinka launched his biography Yinka Quadri: Scent of a Legend and simultaneously celebrated his 36 years in the Nigerian film industry.

He is happily married to Nike Quadri and they are blessed with four children, Muyiwa Quadri, Olajuwon Quadri, Yewande Quadri, Folarin Quadri.

IBRAHIM CHATTA

Ibrahim Chatta is a prolific Nigerian actor, singer, writer, and producer. He was born on October 13th, 1970 in Bachita located in Edu Local Government Area of Kwara State, Nigeria. He has featured in, and produced numerous Yoruba movies and has produced over 100 soundtracks.

The handsome actor came to the limelight for his role in the movie “Aiyekooto” and he had since featured in many Nollywood films such as Mafi wonmi, Atini O’go, October 1 and so on

Ibrahim had his primary education in Saint Bridges Catholic primary school, Bachita, Edu LGA of Kwara State, obtaining his First Leaving School Certificate. He attended Government Secondary School, still in Bachita, but had relocated to Aggiea, Niger State (another Tapa environ) due to his repeated unruly behaviour, later enrolled in Dende Secondary School, Aggiea, but he had to drop out.

He has since self-educated himself, via online courses and programs.

AFOLAYAN’S FAMILY

Adeyemi Afolayan is a prominent film actor, producer, and director. He is considered the founder of the Afolayan family. The actor was born in 1940, and passed away in 1996. Adeyemi Afolayan is also known as Ade Love.

He is the brother of popular Nigerian actress Toyin Afolayan. Adeyemi is the father of outstanding Nigerian actors. There are three brothers and a sister. They are as Gabriel Afolayan, Kunle Afolayan, Aremu Afolayan, and lovely Moji Afolayan. They hails from Kwara State

Gabriel Afolayan

Gabriel Afolayan is mostly known as G-Fresh. This Nigerian singer and actor is another famous representative of the Afolayan family. He is the son of Adeyemi Afolayan.

Aremu Afolayan

Aremu Afolayan is another son of is Adeyemi Afolayan. He is a well-known Nigerian award-winning director and veteran film actor. Aremu Afolayan is of Igbomina-Yoruba ancestry, from Kwara state. He became famous in Nigeria after filming in “Idamu akoto” in 2009. Aremu Afolayan`s wife name is Kafilat Olayinka Quadri.

FAUSAT BALOGUN

Fausat Abeni Balogun, known as Madam Saje, was born on February 13th, 1959 in Ifelodun, Kwara state, Nigeria. She is a veteran Nigerian actress and producer.

Fausat has been in movie production since 1975 and has starred in over 80 movies, mostly in Yoruba language. She made a name for herself when she starred as Mama Saje in a 1990 television series titled Erin Kee Kee. Some of the movies she has featured in include; Nkan Okunkun, Adufe, Leyin Akponle, Laba Laba, Itelorun, Omo Elemosho, Iyawo Ojokan, Ife Kobami, Gbogbo Lomo, Asepamo, and Eto Obinrin.

Fausat grew up in an Islamic home in Kwara state where she also had her education.

BIOLA ADEBAYO

Adebayo Bashorun is popularly known as “Biola Adebayo” is an award-winning Nigerian actress, producer and Television presenter.

Biola Adebayo is well known for her role in the movie “Eyin Oka” hence the nickname. She is from a polygamous family as her father has seven children while her mother has four children. She hails from Aron Ori Igbomina Area of Kwara State.

She obtained a degree in history and international relations at the Lagos state university and also studied public administration for her master’s degree at the prestigious University of Lagos

TOYIN AFOLAYAN

Toyin Afolayan, born in Agbamu, Kwara State, 24 September 1959, popularly known as Lola Idije is a Nigerian film actress and aunt to Nigerian film actor Kunle Afolayan. She is widely known as Lola Idije. The prominent Nigerian actress became famous in 1995. At that time, Toyin Afolayan starred as Madam Adisa in “Deadly Affair.” In this movie, she played the role of Mama Adisa. Toyin has been in the movie industry for close to 3 decades.