In this article I will be sharing with you 10 Nollywood celebrities that are University lecturers in real life. These celebrities often have a side business, careers or vocational skills they pursue behind the cameras. Since people really doesn’t care about what they do with their times, it does not affect their screen time. That is to say, they combine both their acting career and their lecturing job together to earn more money.
There was a time, not too long ago, when acting was seen as a profession for never-do-well in society, but the notion has since been discarded. Actors now include intellectuals, professors, doctorate degree holders and others who find the passion to get on stage or on screen to showcase their artistic prowess. So therefore, after a careful study and research I present to you 10 Nollywood celebrities that are University lecturers in real life.
2. Sam Dede
Sam Dede is an award-winning Nollywood actor and at the same time a lecturer. His role in the epic movie Igodo endeared him to movie lovers and enthusiasts. The former lecturer at the University of Lagos is currently lecturing in the department of theatre arts at the University of Port Harcourt. He was also the director-general of the Rivers State Tourism Development Agency.
2. Tunji Sotimirin
Tunji Sotimirin is a veteran Nollywood actor whose activity in the Nigerian movie industry spans almost three decades. He stared in Owuro Lojo alongside with Joke Silva in the early 90s and has also featured in numerous movies including Tade Ogidan’s Hostages. He acts mostly in Yoruba movies. The funny actor is currently a lecturer in the department of Theatre Arts at the University of Lagos.
3. Joke Silva
Veteran Nollywood actress Joke Silva is a lecturer at the Kwara State University in Illorin, where she lectures at the departments of Theatre Arts. She was also appointed to head Nollywood movie studio “Malete Film Village” owned by Kwara State University in Illorin. She has been saddled with the responsibility of training people who love the acting profession.
4. Laz Ekwueme
The veteran Nollywood actor known for historic epic movie like Igodo is a professor and senior lecturer at the Department of Music in the University of Nigeria Nsukka, where he lectures music. He is also a traditional ruler in his hometown Oko in Anambra state. As a lecturer of music composition, theory, history, singing and conducting, he was an important member in the department and was also a pioneer of Music Department at the University of Nigeria Nsukka, which happens to be the first institution to award music degree in the country.
5. Hafiz Oyetoro
This veteran Nollywood comic actor is a senior lecturer at Adeniran Ogunsanya College of Education in Ijanikin, Lagos. The actor who is simply known as Saka has been blessed through acting. His success in acting brought him the MTN brand ambassador contract. He has also modeled for different firms including Diamond Bank and Etisalat. His porting from Etisalat to MTN became a big item when he left Etisalat for MTN as a brand ambassador.
6. Peter Fatomilola
This veteran Nollywood actor known for his active roles in Yoruba movies lectures in the Department of Theatre Arts at the Obafemi Awolowo University in Ife, Osun state. He learnt under Professor Wole Soyinka in the 80s. Aside from being a lecturer, he is also a dramatic arts instructor at the Obafemi Awolowo University. Though he is retired, he still gets invitations to come and lecture in university occasionally.
7. Sola Fosudo
Dr. Sola Fosudo who is known for his role in Yoruba movies is a senior lecturer and head of department at the Lagos State University (LASU). He is the head of department of theatre arts and music. He was also the director of press and public relations unit at the Lagos State University.
8. Ayo Akinwale
Professor Ayo Akinwale is an actor, movie producer, an academician. He has featured in several home movies. He is a laureate of the African Movie Academy Award (AMAA) and the current dean of the faculty of arts at the University of Ilorin. Prof Ayo Akinwale has written several books and articles on theatre arts in Nigeria. As a seasoned actor with a fantastic Yoruba accent, his spoken English is also impeccable.
9. Akinwunmi Isola
Professor Akinwunmi Isola is a veteran Nollywood actor who acts mostly in Yoruba movies. He was a lecturer at the Obafemi Awolowo University in Ife, Osun state. He became a professor in 1991. Professor Akinwunmi Isola is a playwright, an actor and a scholar who is proud of his Yoruba culture.
10. Kola Oyewo
Kola Oyewo is a veteran Nollywood actor who acts mostly in Yoruba movies. He had his first degree from Obafemi Awolowo University, where he was his son’s classmate. He later proceeded to University of Ibadan where he earned his PhD. He was a senior lecturer at the Obafemi Awolowo University until 2011 before he moved on to head the department of dramatic arts at Redeemer’s University.