The Nigerian entertainment movie industry, Nollywood has subsets but today the focus is on the Yoruba movie industry. The Yoruba movie industry has produced a lot of talented and wealthy acts.
Many of these actors gained their wealth through majorly acting movies which opened the doors to greater opportunities like endorsement deals, side businesses and the likes.
Here are 10 amongst the richest Yoruba Nollywood actors and their net worth.
1. Odunlade Adekola
Coming first on this list is the Yoruba movie screen-god, Odunlade Adekola aka Saamu Alajo, Oyenusi, Sunday Dagboru, Alani Pamolekun, Mufu Oloosha Oko etc. All are titles of movies he played the main character.
The lanky actor was born in Abeokuta, Ogun state, but hails from Otun Ekiti in Ekiti State. He got his primary and secondary school education in Abeokuta, Ogun State, and later went to Moshood Abiola Polytechnic for his Diploma. He got his Bachelor’s degree in Business Administration at the Lagos State University in 2018.
Today, he is an actor, singer, filmmaker, director, and producer. Odunlade who came into the industry in 1996, is well known for his extraordinary energy, impeccable talent display, sense of humor, and passion in movies.
Little wonder many believe that if he is not featured in a Yoruba movie, the movie might not attract good sales and viewership. Perhaps, this is one of the reasons why he is always in hot demand. He is married with kids
Industry analysts estimates Odunlade Adekola’s net worth to be between $1.5 million to $2 million (₦617 million – ₦823 million). The actor has featured in well over 100 movies and his wealth comes from a huge part of that. 45 year old Odunlade remains the highest paid Yoruba actor, earning around N400,000 according to an insider report. He also owns a movie production company Odunlade Adekola Film Productions (OAFP), producing and distributing films. Asides movies, Odunlade has endorsement or paid partnership deals with include:
- Ayoola Foods Limited
- 1X Bet
- Goldberg Lager Beer
- Serenitees Couture
- Standard Chartered Bank Visa Card
- Western Lotto
- RevolutionPlus Properties
- Globacom
He equally gets paid from sponsored posts on social media. Odunlade has highly valued landed properties in Abeokuta and other major cities in choice locations. He also has a luxury hotel in Abeokuta, Ogun State, which reportedly cost him about N40 million.
Just like other rich celebrities, Odunlade also has a knack for luxury cars. Below are some of his cars, and their worth:
•Range Rover Sport – N62.7 million
•Honda Civic Sedan – N8.9 million
•Hyundai Sonata – N9.6 million
•Mazda Premacy – N2.1 million
•Toyota Rav4 (2010) – N9.6 million
•Toyota Landcruiser – N30.6 million
2. Kunle Afolayan
Coming in hot in second place is the genius filmmaker, Kunle Afolayan, son of late Adeyemi Afolayan aka Adelove. They say the apple doesn’t fall far from the tree and in this case, they aren’t wrong. This movie icon was born in Ebute Metta Lagos but is from Kwara State. Kunle Afolanya had his secondary school education in Lagos before acquiring a degree in economics.
To sharpen his skills, Afolayan enrolled at the New York Film Academy to acquire a diploma in digital film making. He started his full-time acting career in 2005 when he quit his banking job. He also launched his film production company in the same year – Golden Effects Pictures. Afolayan recently launched his film academy called KAP Film & Television Academy.
Through the production company, Kunle has produced several movies, some of which include Figurine (which won five awards), Irapada, Phone Swap, Omugwo, The tribunal, Mokalik, The C.E.O., Citation and A Naija Christmas. Through his movies, which are mostly A-List productions, he has won several awards for himself over the years. Afolayan’s net worth is about $800,000 to $1.5 million ( ₦329 million – ₦617 million).
He also makes a fortune from his two companies Kunle Afolayan Productions Television (KAPTv) and Golden Effects Pictures. The latter company comprises two branches. One is the film content development unit, and the other is the post-production and equipment rental unit. Like Odunlade Adekola, he has endorsements deals with brands like:
- Globacom Nigeria
- Peugeot
- Lonton
- Pavilion Afriques
- Pan Nigeria
- Air France
Kunle spends his money on vintage collection like the:
• Jaguar xj6 1982
• Benz 1969
• Thunderbird Ford 1965
Aside from automobiles, he lives in a Beverly Hills styled home.
3. Femi Adebayo
A chip off the old block, Femi Adebayo is his father’s son. Also called Jelili, a name carved from one of his most popular comedy movies, is well-known in the Yoruba movie industry. It appears acting runs in the family blood, as his father, Oga Bello and some of his siblings are also Yoruba movie actors.
In his own right, Femi is a talented actor who has proven his ability in acting, directing, and producing epic movies.
Born in Ebute Metta Lagos, Femi is a native of Kwara State. He completed his primary and secondary schools in Lagos before attending the University of Ilorin, where he studied Law and later acquired his master’s in Law at the University of Ibadan.
Femi Adebayo started his acting career at an early age, featuring in one of his father’s movies Ogun Ajaye in 1985; since then, there has been no looking back. He owns J- 15 Media network Nigeria.
Femi Adebayo is undoubtedly one of the highest-paid Yoruba actors, as he charges about N400,000 per movie role. His net worth is about $900000 – $1m (N374.8 million – N388 million). Femi’s other income streams include being a social media influencer and endorsements deals like
- StarTimes
- Trophy Lager Beer
- Unique Motors
- T.Pumpy Estates
- Kayode Obembe & Co
- Goldmender
- Global Investment Ltd
He was also appointed as Special Adviser on Art, Culture and Tourism (Kwara state), an appointment that comes with its own robust pay package as it is common with government appointments in Nigeria.
Femi Adebayo lives in a twin duplex in Ibadan and has a fleet of exotic automobiles like:
• Toyota Hilux TRD (N35 million)
• Volkswagen Passat (N4 million)
• Toyota highlander (N18 million)
• Kia Sorrento (N5.5 million)
• Toyota Camry (N10 million)
• Toyota venza (N10 million)
4. Prince Jide Kosoko
Veteran, Jide Kosoko is another household name in the Yoruba and Nollywood movie industry as a whole with several appearances in Yoruba and English movies. He is an experienced movie actor, director, and producer who has been on screen for many years.
The star actor was born into the Kosoko royal family of Lagos Island.
He had his primary and secondary education in Lagos, and thereafter, he went to Yaba College of Technology, where he had his higher national diploma (HND) in business administration.
It was also gathered that at his later age, he studied Performing Art at Olabisi Onabanjo University in Ago Iwoye, Ogun State. He is married with children, some of whom are doing very well in Nollywood.
Jide Kosoko started his acting career right from age 10 in Lagos, in 1964. He was featured in a stage play titled Makanjuola, a drama he played a lead role in. About 8 years later, Jide had gained enough experience as an actor and drama group coordinator who led him to form his own theatre group in 1972 called Jide Kosoko Theatre Company.
Since then, the Nollywood thespian has acted in over 100 movies, including Nkan la, Jenifa, Out of luck, King of boys, Bling Lagosians, Sugar Rush, Love is War, Gidi Up, Two Weeks in Lagos, Breaded life, Love Castle, and many others.
Prince Jide Kosoko has about $850,000 (N353.4 million) net worth. His wealth comes majorly from acting, directing, and producing movies but he has some endorsements and ad deals to his name like:
- Airtel
- Chivita
- Western Lotto
- MeritAbode Limited, owners of Emerald Estates
Kosoko has a multi-million mansion in Alimosho local government area of Lagos state, he has another house in Gbagada in Lagos and fleet of cars which he doesn’t flaunt on social media.
5. Afeez Abiodun
Afeez Abiodun, popularly called Afeez Owo, has been in the Yoruba movie industry for no less than two decades and has carved a niche for himself. The actor who hails from Iseyin town in Oyo State had his secondary school education in Ogun and Oyo State but couldn’t further beyond this level.
Though he had been acting right from his secondary school days, he wasn’t working as a full-time actor until 2000. The Iseyin-born actor is married to Mide Martins, who is also an actress, and they are blessed with two daughters.
In the last two decades of his career, Afeez has starred in and produced many Yoruba movies. He has built a huge fortune for himself majorly through acting, directing, and movie production.
Apparently, his $500,000 (N205.2 million) net worth can attest to that. His sources of income are from his long-time investments in properties and other businesses he’s running. He is reported to be investing in properties within Lagos, Ibadan, and his hometown, Iseyin.
6. Muyiwa Ademola
Another talented thespian, is Muyiwa Ademola, popularly known as Muy Authentic. He is a householdname in the Yoruba movie industry who got his nickname Muy Authentic from the quality of his work, which his audience appreciates each time he releases a new movie. He is one of the few filmmakers who gets viewers excited once he directs, produces or stars in the movie.
The actor was born in Abeokuta, Ogun State. He completed his primary and secondary education in Ibadan. He obtained a Bachelor of Education in adult education and community development from the University of Ibadan. Muyiwa Ademola started acting in the Nigerian film industry in 1991, and he has been very active ever since.
He has featured in countless movies, directed and even produced his own movies. Like many on this list, he is another Nigerian actor with a stake in all spheres of Nollywood. Little wonder he has produced some of the most talked-about blockbusters and epic movies.
His first movie was released in 1995, and it was titled Asise (Mistake). In 1997, he produced Ogo Osupa, a movie that brought him into limelight. the actor also has numerous awards to attest to how good he is at what he does.
Muyiwa Ademola is one of the movie producers and actors who earn the most from their work in the entertainment industry. The reason he earns this much is evident in the quality of work we have seen him do over the years.
Hence, his $450,000 (N184.7 million) net worth comes majorly from acting, directing and producing movies. Asides these, Muyiwa owns a film production academy (Authentic School of Drama and Film Production), where aspiring actors and actresses are trained. He bagged some brand sponsorship deals like:
- Agric-tech firm Titan Farm
- Images Fashion
- Wave-making real estate company
- Schemelink Properties Ltd.
Muyiwa Ademola joins the league of affluent Nigerians that have acquired properties at the Oluyole Estate in Ibadan, where he lives in a mansion worth about N20 million and also has some luxury cars in his garage.
7. Wale Akorede
Adewale Akorede aka Okunnu was born and raised in the ancient city of Ibadan but is a native of Ogbomoso in Oyo State. He had his secondary school education in Ibadan, and thereafter, he proceeded to The Polytechnic Ibadan to study fine art.
He is a multi-talented actor, producer, movie director, and scriptwriter but is majorly known for his comic role in most of the movies he has featured in. Adewale has been in the acting industry for over two decades. He started acting partially in 1982, and ever since he has come to the limelight in the industry, he has been waxing stronger, hopping from one movie set to another.
Okunnu’s wealth is largely from the movies he stars or directs but he has some other businesses he runs. The actor claims he was already doing even before joining the make-believe industry. He had once relocated to Saudi Arabia before returning home. A few years back, he permanently moved his wife and children to Toronto in Canada. He is worth about $450,000 (N184.7 million)
8. Olaniyi Afonja
Olaniyi Mikhail Afonja, popularly known as Sanyeri, is a Yoruba comic actor and movie producer that has produced countless comic Yoruba movies. He is one of the very few actors naturally gifted with the art of comedy.
Born in Oyo State, he had his primary school education Okeho in Oyo state and secondary school education in Oyo. Afonja was unable to go beyond secondary school education before he began acting.
He started acting in 1992 when he joined a theatre group in his hometown, where he featured in stage plays. Though things were rough initially, he was able to pull through with determination, hard work, and a positive mindset.
Over the years, he has been able to feature in several movies and is still active to date. Some of hisnotable movies include Edun Ara, Jenifa, Omo Car Wash, Opa Kan, Olu Omo, Apaadi, and lots more. He produced his first movie Okan Eni in 2004; some of the other movies he subsequently produced include Orosun, Opa Kan, Adaba, Asiwaju, Aruba, Oro Olorun, and lots more.
Olaniyi Afonja made his fortunes from acting, directing, and producing movies. Aside from featuring in movies and TV shows, the actor also earns money from his other business endeavors, including endorsement deals with notable brands.
Earlier in 2021, he signed an endorsement deal with Oxford International limited, during which the company also gave him an official car.
Sanyeri is happily married with two kids and his family like Wale Akorede ‘Okunnu’s family, have relocated to Canada. His net worth is estimated to be at $400,000 (N164.1 million).
9. Yinka Quadri
Yinka Quadri, is an elder statesman and a veteran actor in the Yoruba movie industry. He hails from Igbominasi in Kwara State but was born in Lagos into a middle-class family. He had his primary and secondary school education in Lagos.
Like his very good friend and ally, Lanre Hassan ‘Ogogo’, Quadri’s good acting skills have distinguished and singled him out among his contemporaries in the game, as he often plays active roles in movies depicting both modern-day and rural settings.
Yinka Quadri is also a movie director and producer who has achieved great success in his movie directing and film producing career and has undoubtedly contributed immensely to the development of the Yoruba movie industry in Nigeria.
He joined the industry in 1976 and his net worth is said to be about $250,000 (N102.6 million) gotten majorly from acting, directing, and producing movies. He has other businesses he runs as well, though not much is known about them.
Asides acting, in 2016, he was unveiled as an ambassador for Al-Amanat Islamic Estate, which made him join the league of Yoruba actors earning from endorsement deals. Of recent, it is not known if the actor has signed any other endorsement deal. Quadri is happily married with five children and lives in his own house with fine cars.
The actor is not one who readily flaunts his wealth on the gram, although he had once been reported saying that he has been driving cars since 1982 and has never been without a one, whether big or small.
10. Adebayo Salami
Adebayo Salami, popularly known by his stage name Oga Bello, a name that stuck due to the character he played in a TV series that brought him to limelight Comedy half-hour. He is an outstanding and talented actor, movie director, and producer who has produced lots of movies in his acting career.
He is currently one of the oldest in Yoruba Nollywood and has up to five children in the industry, one of whom is Femi Adebayo(ranking no.3).
Adebayo was born and bred in Lagos State, where he had his primary and secondary education. He has been active in the industry since he began his career and has played active roles in over 80 movies. His first movie, titled Ogun Ajaye, was produced in 1985.
Oga Bello makes most of his money from acting, film producing, and directing movies. He is said to have some side businesses as well. He is rumored to have a twin duplex in Ibadan. Oga bello’s net worth stands at $200,000 (N82 millon).
However, the talented actor owns:
•Volkswagen Passat( N4 million)
•Kia Sorento SUV (N5.5 million)
Oga Bello has two wives and eighteen children, out of which nine are males, and nine are females.
