Oga Bello
Oga Bello | |
|---|---|
| Born | Adebayo Salami 9 May 1952 Lagos, Nigeria |
| Occupations | Actor, filmmaker and film director |
| Years active | 1964-present |
| Children | Femi Adebayo |
Adebayo Salami ⓘ (born 9 May 1952), popularly known by his stage name "Oga Bello" ⓘ is a veteran Nigerian nollywood actor, filmmaker, film producer, and director.[1][2][3]
Early life and education
Salami is a native of Pakata Oloje, Ilorin, Kwara State. He was born on the 9th of May 1953 in Lagos State where he had both his primary and secondary education.[4]
Adebayo Salami attended Adebodun Commercial School, and later went to Lagos Drama School,[5] a school affiliated with the University of Lagos.
Career
He began his acting career in 1964, with a group called Young Concert Party, under the leadership of Ojo Ladipo, popularly known as Baba Mero. After a few years, the group changed its name to Ojo Ladipo Theatre Group and later metamorphosed into Awada Kerikeri Theatre Group.[6] Following the demise of Ojo Ladipo in 1978, Salami took the mantle of leadership of the group, which brought him into the limelight.[7]
He featured in the first Yoruba film, Ajani Ogun, in which the late Adeyemi Afolayan, the father of Kunle Afolayan and Gabriel Afolayan, plays the lead role.[8]
He was also featured in a movie titled Kadara by Adeyemi Afolayan (Ade Love).[9] He later featured in the popular Nigerian comedy series Comedy half-hour with the stage name Oga Bello.[10]
He produced his first movie, Ogun Ajaye, in 1985, from the stable of Awada Kerikeri.[11]
Since 1985, he has produced, directed, and featured in several Yoruba movies.[12]
He was a pioneer member of the Association of Nigerian Theatre Arts Practitioners,[13] and also served as president of the association.[14]
Personal life
Salami is married to two wives and has eighteen children (9 sons and 9 daughters, including actor Femi Adebayo)[15]
Filmography
| Year | Film | Role |
|---|---|---|
| 2024 | Seven Doors | Otun |
| Crossroads | Dunni's Father | |
| 2022 | Aníkúlápó | Oyo Chief |
| 2020 | Omo Ghetto (The Saga) | Baba Onibaba |
| 1996 | Owo Blow | Council Boss |
Awards
See also
References
- ^ "Theatre Arts Movie Practitioners to celebrate veteran actor, Adebayo Salami - Premium Times Nigeria". Premium Times. Retrieved 1 January 2015.
- ^ "Nigeria HomePage - Breaking News, Business, Sports, Entertainment and Video News". Retrieved 1 January 2015.
- ^ "Popular film star, Oga Bello loses mum | The Nation Nigeria". thenationonlineng.net. 3 August 2021. Retrieved 26 February 2022.
- ^ Tunde Akanbi, Ilorin. "Voice Of Nigeria - Actor advocates promotion of indigenous languages". Archived from the original on 1 January 2015. Retrieved 1 January 2015.
- ^ Adebayo Salami – DAWN Commission, retrieved 17 August 2025
- ^ Our Reporter. "Adebayo Salami (Oga Bello): After 50 years, I see light at the end of the tunnel". Archived from the original on 1 January 2015. Retrieved 1 January 2015.
- ^ "My Parents Almost Cursed Me For Taking To Acting – Oga Bello - Nigerian News from Leadership Newspapers". Nigerian News from Leadership Newspapers. Archived from the original on 1 January 2015. Retrieved 1 January 2015.
- ^ AJIBADE ALABI. "Oga Bello tells all about career, family & kids - Newswatch Times". Newswatch Times. Archived from the original on 1 January 2015. Retrieved 1 January 2015.
- ^ "ADEBAYO SALAMI (OGA BELLO) RETURNS TO STAGE WITH 'OLOKOOBA' AT 50!". Archived from the original on 1 January 2015. Retrieved 1 January 2015.
- ^ Lucky Orioha. "Guardian News Website - More Pips For The Legendary Oga Bello'". Retrieved 1 January 2015.
{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: deprecated archival service (link) - ^ "My friends taught me because I couldn't go to school – Oga Bello". The Punch - Nigeria's Most Widely Read Newspaper. Archived from the original on 1 January 2015. Retrieved 1 January 2015.
- ^ Sunday Oguntola (15 February 2014). "OGA BELLO Why younger Nollywood stars go broke easily". The Nation. Lagos, Nigeria. Retrieved 1 January 2015.
- ^ "TAMAPAN house of division and cheap Nollywood politics". Daily Independent, Nigerian Newspaper. Archived from the original on 1 January 2015. Retrieved 1 January 2015.
- ^ "Confusion in Yoruba movie sector". Daily Independent, Nigerian Newspaper. Archived from the original on 1 January 2015. Retrieved 1 January 2015.
- ^ "Adebayo Salami (Oga Bello) biography: age, family, net worth". Legit.ng. 4 May 2021.
- ^ Our Reporter (9 October 2014). "BON Awards to honour Liz Benson, Adebayo Salami, others". The Nation. Lagos, Nigeria. Retrieved 1 January 2015.