Obafemi Awolowo University (OAU) is a federal government-owned University located in Ile-Ife, Osun state. The University is known for its excellence and its ability to produce the best year in year out. Over the years, there have been notable individuals who have once been students of this prestigious school who are now leading the forefront in different sectors of the country.
Today, we shall be having a look at ten popular celebrities in the entertainment industry who have once passed through the learning walls of this great university.
1. Fireboy DML
A hot cake in the industry. Adedamola Adefolahan, popularly known as Fireboy, is a Nigerian singer and songwriter, signed to YBNL Nation, a record label founded by Nigerian rapper, Olamide. He was born on the 5th of February, 1996. Fireboy came into the limelight through his popular song, "Jealous" which was released in 2018. He developed his interest in music from childhood as he was also part of the choir in the church which he grew up. Fireboy obtained his degree from Obafemi Awolowo University having studied English. He won the Most Promising Act of the Year at City People Music Awards in 2019. His album "Apollo" also won the Album of the Year and the Best Pop Album at the 2020 Headies. His recent hit song "Peru" also got nominated for Outstanding International Song at the 2021 NAACP Image Awards.
Read also: Biography of Actress Kehinde Bankole
2. Bukunmi Oluwashina
Bukunmi Oluwashina is a fast-rising Nigerian actress, movie producer, singer, musician, playwright and model. She is a Native of Oke Imesi, Ekiti State. She also graduated from Obafemi Awolowo University, where she studied Theatre Arts. She also revealed in one of her interviews of how she had to combine acting with her career while in school. Her debut movie, "Ayomi" was produced during her final year in school. Bukunmi is a versatile and multi talented figure widely known in Nigeria. She came into the limelight right after the production of the mind-blowing movie titled Ayomi. She has won many awards and has got a number if nominations, including the 2015 Africa Magic Viewer's Choice Awards in the Best Indigenous Movie (Yoruba) category, the Best of Nollywood Awards (BON Awards), MAYA Awards and ACI Awards.
3. Aderounmu Adejumoke
4. Woli Arole
5. Foluke Daramola
Foluke Daramola Salako is a Nigerian actress, movie director and producer born on February 15, 1978. Foluke was born to a family from Ekiti State. She obtained a bachelor's degree in International Relations from Obafemi Awolowo University. Foluke joined the Nigerian movie industry in 1998 with her debut in the TV series, "Palace". She is well known for her roles in movies such as: Above love, Durodola, Iyawo Mi, Fallen Angel, Official Romance and so on. Her marriage to Kayode Salako in 2013 is blessed with two children. Daramola was nominated for Best Supporting actress at the Africa Movie Academy Awards in 2013. You can read her full biography here.
6. Clarion Chukwura
Chief Clara Nneka Oluwatoyin Folashade Chukwura, with the stage name, Clarion Chukwura was born on the 24th of July, 1964. She is a Nigerian actress and humanitarian. She began her acting career in 1980 but became popular when she featured in a soap opera titled "Mirror in the Sun". She studied Acting and Speech at the Department of Arts in Obafemi Awolowo University. She was the first Nigerian to win the Best Actress Category at the 1982 FESPACO film festival in Burkina Faso. She is also the mother of the popular music video director, Clarence Peters. You can read her full biography by clicking here.
7. Blaqbonez
Emeka Akumefele, known by the stage name Blaqbonez, is a rapper signed to 100 crowns. He is a Computer Engineering graduate of OAU and is gradually dominating the rap world in the Nigerian music Industry. He was described by the New York Times as one of the new guards of Nigerian music. His controversial hit song, "Best Rapper in Africa (BRIA) put him in the limelight. Blaqbonez has received several nominations for talent in music, including the Headies Award for Best Rap Single and the City Peoples Music Award for Rap/Hip Hop Artiste of the Year. Blaqbonez’ name was included in Guardian Newspaper’s list of “top 10 artistes to watch out for in 2019”. He was also tagged alongside Teni as one of the Nigerian fine acts to watch out for by the New York Times.
Read also: Biography of Actress Kehinde Bankole
8. MC Lively
Michael Sani Amanesi, popularly known as MC Lively is a famous comedian known for his rib-cracking skits and stand up comedy. MC Lively bagged a degree in Law from the Obafemi Awolowo University. His skit "Agidi" brought him fame in 2015. He has also featured in several movies, including "Fate of Alakada" and "Seven and a half date". He has also hosted several events. He won the City People Music Awards for Comedy Act of the Year in 2019.
9. Chinko Ekun
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Oladipo Olamide Emmanuel, known professionally as Chinko Ekun, is a Nigerian rapper and songwriter. Chinko Ekun was born on September 13, 1993 into a family of three, where he is the second child. He is a native of Ikare, Ondo State. He graduated with a degree in Law from Obafemi Awolowo University. Chinko Ekun started developing passion for music at the age of seven and then picked interest in commercial and rap music during his first year in the university. His name "Chinko Ekun" was coined from two words, "Chinko", because he was told he looked like a Chinese during his time in the university and "Ekun", because it was his first official track. His song "Able God" won the Street Song of the Year at the City People Music in 2019 and he also won the the Best Street Hop Artiste at the Headies in 2019.
10. Femi Branch
David Babafemi Mauton Osunkoya, known as Femi Branch is a Nigerian actor, director and producer. He was born on the 14th of May, 1970 in Sagamu, Ogun State. He has been active in the entertainment industry since 1991 till present. He got admitted into Obafemi Awolowo University to study Religious Studies but later switched departments and obtained a Bachelor of Arts degree in Dramatic Arts. He began his career at OAU in 1991, the same year he featured in a Yoruba stage play titled Eniyan. His first appearance on television was in 2003 in an MTN group television commercial, titled "Dance with me". Femi Branch has appeared in over a hundred Nigerian films since then, with some of them being the ones produced and directed by him. He was nominated for the Best Actor in a Lead role-English at the Best of Nollywood Awards in 2018.
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Do you think we missed out any top Alumni from the Obafemi Awolowo University (OAU) who is blazing the trail in the entertainment industry? Please share with us in the comments.