Kunle Afolayan Net Worth and Biography

Nigeria’s film industry has experienced many great achievements and it’s all thanks to the presence of notable names in the industry. One such name is Kunle Afolayan. 

Afolayan is one of the many Nollywood producers whose background had nothing to do with filmmaking. Having studied Economics in the higher institution, one would not have visualized him as a filmmaker and an outstanding one at that.

The ace director has many awards and accolades to his name and his recognition spans across Nigeria. In this article, RNN will highlight the biography and net worth of Nigeria’s best movie director at the moment.

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Kunle Afolayan Net Worth, Biography

Kunle Afolayan was born on September 30 to popular Nigerian filmmaker, Adeyemi Josiah Afolayan (Ade Love). He is an Igbomina-Yoruba native from Kwara State, Nigeria even though he grew up in Lagos.

Although his alma mater is not known, the Afolayan worked as an economist before venturing into full-time filmmaking. While working in a bank, he took up acting gigs from time to time and found his passion. This passion drove him to take a course at the New York Film Academy like some of his other colleagues in the industry.

Afolayan’s family is well-known in the Nigerian movie industry. From his father, Ade Love, who was a well-known film director and actor in the 90s to his aunt, Toyin Afolayan, and his younger brother, Gabriel, the Afolayan family is no doubt a notable name in Nigeria.

His father’s profession is said to have played a major role in Kunle’s drive for films and many believe his legacy is a continuation of what his father has built.

Career

Afolayan has been active in Nigeria’s film industry since 2005 and since then he has produced and directed several movies. Although he majors as a film producer and director, the veteran filmmaker is not without acting skills. Some of the films he has featured in as an actor include the 1999 classic, “Saworoide”, “Agogo Eewo”, and most recently, “Ayinla“.

As a producer, Afolayan has many blockbusters to his name including Irapada, Phone Swap, October 1, The CEO, Mokalik and Swallow. He has also directed high-grossing movies like The Figurine, and Omugwo. 

Awards

During the course of his career as an Actor, Director and Producer, Kunle Afolayan has bagged many awards to his name. Some of these awards include:

• Africa Movie Academy Awards 2015 (AMAA) – Best Nigerian Film for the film October 1
• National Film Festival 2022 (NFF)- Best International Film
• The Abuja International Film Festival’s Golden Jury Award for Best Film- 2012
• The Abuja International Film Festival- Prize for Outstanding Film Direction-2012
• Africa Magic Viewers Choice Awards – Best Film Director – 2015

Kunle Afolayan Business Career

Asides being a filmmaker, Kunle Afolayan is also an entrepreneur. He has a lot of business ventures which include a film production company, a film academy, a clothing brand, and a restaurant based in Lagos, Nigeria.

Let’s see some of his businesses.

Golden Effect Pictures

The film production company was launched in the same year that saw the director gain prominence (2005). The Nigerian-based company is known to have produced many high-quality films. Some of its feature films include Irapada, October 1, The Figurine, Phone Swap, and Mokalik. 

KAP Film and Television Academy

The academy is one of Afolayan’s ventures set up to provide better personalities in the movie industry. Kap Film and Television Academy is a learning institution that provides robust knowledge and training to upcoming filmmakers within and outside Nigeria.

The first set of trainees at the institution graduated in May 2022 and have become certified affiliates of the School of Cinematic Arts at the University of Southern California.

KAP Film and Television Academy is based in Ikeja, Lagos.

Ire Clothing

Kunle Afolayan is known to be a promoter of the African (Nigerian) culture and lifestyle in his movies and he brings this passion to his business also.

Ire Clothing is a clothing brand that accentuates Nigeria’s rich culture and heritage. Since its inception, the brand has created bespoke fashion wears to the awe of many celebrities and fans.

Afefeyeye Restaurant and Bar

This is one of Afolayan’s latest businesses. In a bid to expand his entertainment and showbiz ventures, the veteran actor set up a restaurant and bar in the heart of Ikeja, Lagos.

Celebrities have been found hanging out at the spot from time to time.

Kunle Afolayan Net Worth

Kunle Afolayan has a net worth of $1.5 million, spanning his wide range of businesses.

With the establishment of the aforementioned ventures over the years, coupled with his filmmaking, the legendary producer has made a fortune for himself. He has however announced that his hub, Kunle Afolayan Production (KAP) hub will fully introduce more ventures soon.

The “Citation” director is one of the richest filmmakers in Nollywood.