# Odunlade Adekola

Odunlade Jonathan Adekola ((Listen); born 31 December 1976) is a Nigerian actor, film-maker, film producer and film director. 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. He is the founder and CEO of the Odunlade Adekola Film Production (OAFP).

## Early life

Adekola was born and raised in Abeokuta, Ogun State, and he is a native of Otun Ekiti, Ekiti State.

## 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 Examination before he proceeded to Moshood Abiola Polytechnic,(MAPOLY) where he received a diploma certificate. Odunlade proceeded to further his education and in May 2018, he received a degree in Bachelors of Business Administration at the University of Lagos.

## Career

Odunlade Adekola began his acting career in 1996, the same year he joined the Association of Nigeria Theatre Arts practitioners. He has starred in, scripted, produced and directed several Nigerian films also known as Nollywood over the years. In April 2014, Adekola won the Africa Movie Academy Award for the best actor of the year. In December 2015, he marked his entrance into the Nigerian music industry. Photographs of Odunlade during filming are widely used as internet memes across the Nigerian websphere. 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. Odunlade Adekola is a brand ambassador to several organizations such as Goldberg beer and Globacom Telecommunications

## Personal life

Odunlade Adekola was born to Deaconess Adekola and Pastor Nathaniel .A. Adekola. 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.
He married Ruth Adekola in 2003, and has five children.

## 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)
* 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) as Ayomide
* Ajibade (In Cinemas, December 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)
* 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)

## Awards and nominations

| Year | Award | Category | Result |
| 2017 | Best of Nollywood Awards | Best Actor in a Lead role –Yoruba | Nominated |
| 2018 | Africa Magic Viewers’ Choice Awards | Best Actor in a Comedy | Won |
| 2019 | Best of Nollywood Awards | Best Supporting Actor –Yoruba | Nominated |
| 2022 | Africa Magic Viewers' Choice Awards | Best Supporting Actor | Won |
| 2022 | NET Honours | Most Popular Actor | Won |