There was a time when the acting profession in Nigeria was dismissed as a path for the unserious. But that stereotype has faded with the years. Today, Nollywood proudly counts among its stars academics, scholars, and highly accomplished individuals who have combined intellect with artistry.
Beyond entertaining audiences, some of these actors have also found a calling in the classroom, where they inspire and mentor the next generation.
Here’s a full list of eight Nigerian actors who also teach in universities:
1. Peter Fatomilola
Fatomilola was born on 16 January 1946 in the town of Ifisin-Ekiti in Ido-Osi Local Government area of Ekiti State, Nigeria, to Chief Abraham Ojo Fatomilola and Mrs. Elizabeth Fatomilola.
In 1967, he joined the Olokun Theatre group under the tutelage of the late Professor Ola Rotimi, a renowned dramatist and prolific playwright at the University of Ife, now Obafemi Awolowo University. He is also a member of the academic staff of Obafemi Awolowo University, where he obtained a Bachelor of Arts degree in Theatre Arts in 1978.
2. Doyin Hassan
Doyin Hassan is a Full Time Professor of International Business Management Degree at the Conestoga College Institute of Technology and Advanced Learning, Ontario, Canada. He worked for over 14 years as a Professor of Marketing/Business Administration in the Lagos State University, Nigeria, before joining Conestoga College in April 2018 as a Partial Load Faculty.
He worked as a Professor of Business at Evergreen College, Brampton, Ontario, Canada for a year before joining Conestoga College. Doyin Hassan obtained a PhD in Business Administration in 2010, a Master of Science Degree in Marketing/Business Administration and a Bachelor of Science (B.Sc) Degree in Business Administration.
Doyin started secular acting professionally in 1985 until he found mercy from God to cross over into the Christian Gospel drama ministry in the year 2000. A Gospel actor, director, producer in the Nigerian Gospel film and theatre, he is the President of El-Gibbor Ministries Nigeria and Canada.
3. Kola Oyewo
Kola Oyewo was born 27 March 1946 and is a Nigerian veteran actor, dramatist, and scholar.
He attended Obafemi Awolowo University where he obtained a certificate in dramatic arts, and a certificate in Yoruba oral literature before he later received a Bachelor of Arts (B.A.) degree in Theatre art from the same university in 1995.
He proceeded to the University of Ibadan where he received a Master of Arts (M.A.) and doctorate degree (Ph.D.) in drama.
In 1996, Oyewo joined the services of Obafemi Awolowo University, where he rose to the rank of senior lecturer before retiring in September 2011.
After his retirement from Obafemi Awolowo University, he joined the services of Redeemer’s University, where he served as head of the department of dramatic art. He is currently working at Elizade University Ilara-Mokin, Ondo State as a performing arts lecturer.
4. Sola Fosudo
Sola Fosudo was born 1958 and is a Nigerian prolific dramatist, scholar, critic, film actor and director.
He was trained as a dramatist at Obafemi Awolowo University and University of Ibadan where he obtained a Master of Arts degree in drama. He has featured and directed several Nigerian films. He is the head of the Department of Theatre Art, Lagos State University and the university’s director of information.
5. Hafiz Oyetoro
Afeez Oyetoro was born 20 August 1963 and he is a Nigerian comedian, theatre actor and artist popularly known as “Saka”.
Afeez obtained bachelor’s and master’s degrees in Theatre arts from Obafemi Awolowo University (OAU) and the University of Ibadan (UI) respectively. He is currently a doctorate degree holder from the University of Ibadan in Oyo State, Nigeria.
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Afeez Oyetoro is known for his clown role in Nollywood movies and has featured in several Nigerian movies. He is currently a lecturer in the Department of Theatre Art at Adeniran Ogunsanya College of Education.
6. Sam Dede
Samuel Dedetoku, popularly known by his stage name Sam Dede (born 17 November 1965), is a Nigerian veteran actor, director, politician and lecturer.
He entered the Nollywood industry in 1995 and rose to prominence for his role in the film Ijele. In 2005, Dede won the Africa Movie Academy Award for Best Actor in a Supporting Role for his performance in the 2004 film The Mayors.
He is a lecturer in the University of Port Harcourt, teaching acting to upcoming actors. One of his students, Yul Edochie went on to become a lead actor in Nollywood.
7. Tunji Sotimirin
Dr. Tunji Sotimirin is a performing artist, a play director, actor, dancer, storyteller, broadcaster and industry lecturer. He works with the Department of Creative Arts, the University of Lagos in the Theatre Unit.
8. Gbenga Windapo
Gbenga Windapo is a multitalented playwright, actor (stage and screen), scriptwriter, and university lecturer.
He is a lecturer at Adeniran Ogunsanya College of Education (AOCOED) in the Department of Theatre Arts.
