Wale Ojo

Not to be confused with Wole Ojo.

Wale Ojo
Nationality	British-Nigerian
Citizenship	United Kingdom, Nigeria
Alma mater	University of Hull, (Drama, 1986)
Occupations	actor producer director
Years active	1976–present
Known for	Phone Swap (film)

Wale Ojo (Listen^ⓘ) is a British Nigerian actor. He started as a child actor in television. He subsequently continued acting roles in the UK and Nigeria.^[1][2] He came into prominence in 1995 for his role in The Hard Case. He won the award for Best Actor at the 2012 Nigeria Entertainment Awards for this leading role in Phone Swap,^[3][4] and has been featured in several movies ever since.

Early life and education

Ojo started acting professionally as a child. At the age of 8, he worked with Akin Lewis, who played a barber on the NTA Ibadan 1980s television series Why Worry. At age 12, he moved with his family to England, where he also attended university.^[5]

Ojo credits his career on influences from his mother, who was an actress and supportive of his career,^[6] Chief Wale Ogunyemi, Tunji Oyelana, playwright Wole Soyinka, and Zulu Sofola.^[5]

New Nigeria Cinema

Ojo founded New Nigeria Cinema, whose aim is to improve the quality of Nigerian films. New Nigeria Cinema hosted a film viewing and lectures at the British Film Institute in London in 2010.^[7][8]

Career performances

TV programs

Year	TV Program	Role	Notes
1989	Behaving Badly	Jim	Television mini-serial
1998 – 2000	Heartburn Hotel	Chidi Ekechi	Television serial
2009	The No. 1 Ladies' Detective Agency (TV series)	Kebone Legodimo[9]
2012 - 2016	Meet the Adebanjos	Mr. Bayo Adebanjo	British-Nigerian sitcom from 2012 to 2016.[10]
2014	Tinsel (TV series)	Nosa[11]	Long-running Nigerian soap opera
2018	Black Earth Rising	Dr. Emmanuel Musoni[12]	BBC Two production
2021	Foundation	Professor Arren Sorn[13]	Apple TV's sci fi series
2022	Blood Sisters	Inspector Joe	Netflix original series

Films

Year	Film	Role	Notes
1995	The Hard Case	The gambler	Short film
1999	Rage	Pin	Ojo's first feature film debut. He plays a schizophrenic gangster.[14]
2011	Johnny English Reborn	President Chambal
2011	The Guard	Doctor Oleyuwo[15]	Irish buddy film starring Brendan Gleeson, Don Cheadle.
2012	Phone Swap	Akin	Also featured Nse Ikpe Etim, Joke Silva, Chika Okpala, Lydia Forson and Hafeez Oyetoro. This was Ojo's first feature film in Nigeria.[16]
2012	Big Man
2013	Half of a Yellow Sun	Chief Okonji	Historical film featuring Chiwetel Ejiofor, Thandie Newton, Onyeka Onwenu, Anika Noni Rose, Joseph Mawle, Genevieve Nnaji, OC Ukeje and John Boyega.[17]
2014	A Letter from Adam	Adam	Romance starring Lydia Forson (who also wrote the screenplay), Naa Ashokor Mensah Doku, Akorfa Edjeani, Albert Jackson, Fred Kanebi, Jeff Kumordzie and Louie Lartey.
2014	Render to Caesar	Pade	Crime thriller also featuring Gbenga Akinnagbe, Omoni Oboli and Bimbo Manuel
2014	When Love Happens	Oladele Laguda	Romantic comedy featuring Weruche Opia as Moduroti (Mo) Bankole-Smith
2015	8 Bars and a Clef	Felix Mensah	Film about a musically gifted recording artist dealing with dyslexia.[18]
2015	Fifty	Kunle	Stars Iretiola Doyle, Nse Ikpe-Etim, Dakore Egbuson
2016	Ayamma: Music in the Forest	Prince Daraima	Directed by Chris Eneaji Eneng. Also starring Moses Armstrong, Theresa Edem, Smart Edikan
2016	Betrayal	Funbi	Written and directed by Darasen Richards. Also starring David Jones David and Theresa Edem.[19]
2016	The CEO	Kola Alabi
2016	Ojukokoro	Mad Dog Max	This crime film is also known as Ojukokoro: Greed and includes an ensemble cast.
2016	White Colour Black	Monsiour Dabo	Also starring Dudley O’Shaughnessy as the main character.[20]
2017	Alter Ego	Timothy	Also starring Ayenuro Ademola, Rahila Ahmed, Abiola Atande
2017	Sand Castle	Ayade	Also starring Mary Uranta and Sylvia Edem.
2018	Disguise	Theophilus Vaughn	Also starring Toyin Abraham, Faith Adibe, Daniel K. Daniel, Afanye Daniel
2018	Lara and the Beat	Uncle Tunde	Also starring Chioma Chukwuka, Saidi Balogun, Shaffy Bello, Chinedu Ikedieze
2018	New Money	Chuka	Also stars Jemima Osunde, Kate Henshaw, Blossom Chukwujekwu, Dakore Akande, Osas Ighodaro and Falz d Bahd Guy.[21]
2018	Voiceless Scream	Dr. Joel Azubike	Directed by Dotun Taylor and also stars Jide Kosoko and Adeniyi Johnson.[22]
2019	Another Father's Day	Femi Daniel	Sequel to Happy Father's Day film. Directed by Bukola Ogunsola. Also stars Mercy Aigbe.[23]
2019	Coming from Insanity	Mr. Martins	Crime drama with Gabriel Afolyan, Sani Danja, Dakore Akande, Bolanle Ninalowo, and Damilola Adegbite[24]
2019	Don't Get Mad Get Even	Dr. Badejo[25]	Ojo's feature film directorial debut. Features Toyin Abraham, Saheed Balogun and Nancy Isime.
2019	Jumbled	Mr Sagoe[26]	Also stars Femi Adebayo, Eucharia Anunobi Ekwu, Lilian Esoro.
2019	Kasanova	Femi[27]	Also starring Iretiola Doyle, Toyin Abraham, Ruby Akubueze and Yomi Alvin.
2019	Ordinary Fellows	Professor Jega	A film by Lorenzo Menakaya
2019	Walking with Shadows	Dad	Drama also starring Ozzy Agu, Funlola Aofiyebi, Ayoola Ayolola, Zainab Balogun, Riyo David and Ade Laoye.[28]
2020	This Lady Called Life	Daddy[29]	Stars Bisola Aiyeola, Samuel Asa'ah, and Lota Chukwu.
2021	Silent Murder		Also stars Tina Mba, Wole Ojo, Saidi Balogun, Eniola Badmus, Charles Okocha, Bayray McNwizu.[30]
2022	Bloodhound	Azusa[31]	Also starring Ademola Adedoyin, Abayomi Alvin, Samuel Asa'ah.
2022	Songs of Ubong	Ubong	Also stars Rhoda Morakinyo. Directed by Owen Olowu. Inspired by the Songs of Solomon.[32]
2022	A Place Called Forward	Husband	Also stars Fred Amata and Judith Audu. Written by Aboyowa Aby Mene. Directed by Umanu Ojochenemi Elijah.[33]
2022	A Song From the Dark	Magnus Williams	Also stars Garcia Alicia Brown, Kane Surry, Vanessa Vanderpuye, Nse Ikpe-Etim, Dean Kilbey, Tom Patient, Lola Ogunyemi, Dimeji Ewuoso, Ryan Spong, Dylan McCormack, Octavia Gilmore, Yinka Awoni, Marshall Griffin, Alexander Scrivens, Amy Lally. Written and directed by Ogodinife Okpue.[34]
2023	Love, Lust & Other Things	Chijindu Amadi	Also stars Osas Ighodaro and Ramsey Nouah. Directed by Kayode Kasum.[35]
2023	Breath of Life	Timi Johnson	Also stars Genoveva Umeh, Chimezie Imo, Bimbo Manuel, Tina Mba, Demola Adedoyin, Sam Dede, Sambasa Nzeribe, and Melly Atari. First Amazon Prime commissioned Nigerian film.[36][37]
2024	The Man Died	Wole Soyinka	Also stars Sam Dede, Norbert Young, Segilola Ogidan, Abraham Amkpa, Christiana Oshunniyi, Temmy Fosudo, and Ropo Ewenla. Directed by Awam Amkpa.[38]

Theatre

Year	Play	Theatre	Role	Notes
2009	The Sunset Limited[39]	Capital Centre, Warwickshire, England	Black	Michael Gould performed as White
2005	Who Killed Mr Drum?[40]	Riverside Studios, Hammersmith, London	Henry Nxumalo	The plays title references the murder of an investigative reporter from South Africa's well-known magazine, Drum.

As Director

Year	Title	Distributor	Notes
2017	Ghost of Tarkwa Bay	unknown	Nigeria's first movie about the art of surfing. Also features Ibrahim Odrago, May Owen, Armando Abraham, and Godspower. This short film marks Wale Ojo's directorial debut.[41][42]
2022	This, Your Lagos	unknown	This documentary, starring William H. Ashbee, is 1 hour and 36 mins in length.[43]

Awards and nominations

Year	Event	Prize	Work	Result
2013	Nollywood Movies Awards	Best Actor in a Leading Role	Phone Swap	Nominated[44]
2012	Nigeria Entertainment Awards	Best Actor in a Film	Phone Swap	Won[45]
2015	Africa Magic Viewers' Choice Awards	Best Actor in a Comedy	Meet the Adebanjos	Nominated[46]
2018	Africa Magic Viewers' Choice Awards	Best Supporting Actor	Betrayal	Nominated[47]
2018	Africa Magic Viewers' Choice Awards	Best Actor in a Drama	Alter Ego	Nominated[47]
2022	Africa Movie Academy Award	Best Supporting Actor	A Song From the Dark	Nominated[48]
2024	Africa Magic Viewers' Choice Awards	Best Lead Actor	Breath of Life (2023 film)	Won[49]

See also

• List of Nigerian film producers

References

1. Laju Ayenreka (21 December 2012). "A wife for Wale Ojo". The Vanguard. Retrieved 11 October 2018.
2. "I started acting 40 years ago with NTA Ibadan wale ojo". Nigeria Entertainment Today. Retrieved 13 May 2017.
3. "Photos + Full List Of Winners At The NEA". 2012.
4. Shaibu Husseini (16 July 2016). "Wale Ojo: 'The CEO' and Nollywood's new leading man". The Guardian. Retrieved 11 October 2018.
5. "Wale Ojo: 'The CEO' and Nollywood's new leading man". The Guardian Nigeria News - Nigeria and World News. 16 July 2016. Retrieved 22 March 2021.
6. "Wale Ojo". Africa Interviews. Retrieved 22 March 2021.
7. Krings, Matthias; Okome, Onookome (27 May 2013). Global Nollywood: The Transnational Dimensions of an African Video Film Industry. Indiana University Press. p. 43. ISBN 978-0-253-00942-5. Retrieved 22 March 2021.
8. Curry, Neil (19 November 2010). "'New Nigeria Cinema' sparks Nollywood renaissance". www.cnn.com. Retrieved 22 March 2021.
9. "The No. 1 Ladies' Detective Agency". TVGuide.com. Retrieved 21 March 2021.
10. Guide, British Comedy. "Meet The Adebanjos - Netflix Sitcom". British Comedy Guide. Retrieved 21 March 2021.
11. "Wale Ojo sails with Tinsel". Businessday NG. 6 July 2014. Retrieved 22 March 2021.
12. "Black Earth Rising (TV Series 2018) - IMDb". imdb.com. Retrieved 21 March 2021.
13. "Foundation (TV Series 2021– ) - IMDb". IMDb.com. Retrieved 2 July 2022.
14. "Wale Ojo". IMDb. Retrieved 21 March 2021.
15. "The Guard (2011) - IMDb". IMDb. Retrieved 22 March 2021.
16. "Wale Ojo". IMDb. Retrieved 21 March 2021.
17. "Half of a Yellow Sun: London Review". The Hollywood Reporter. 11 October 2013. Retrieved 28 March 2014.
18. "8 Bars & A Clef (2015) - IMDb". imdb.com. Retrieved 21 March 2021.
19. Richards, Darasen (16 December 2016). "Betrayal". Blackdrum 360, Darasen Richards Films. Retrieved 23 May 2021.
20. Guest Contributor. "Joseph A. Adesunloye's Feature, White colour Black, Gets UK Premiere at #LFF2016. | The British Blacklist". thebritishblacklist.co.uk. Retrieved 21 March 2021. {{cite web}}: |author= has generic name (help)
21. Daniel, Eniola (21 March 2018). "Veterans, newbies clash in New Money". Guardian. Retrieved 21 March 2021.
22. Taylor, Dotun. "Voiceless Scream". YAE Films. Retrieved 23 May 2021.
23. "Watch Official Trailer for "Another Father's Day" starring Wale Ojo, Cee-C, Mercy Aigbe". BellaNaija. 17 April 2019. Retrieved 22 March 2021.
24. "Coming from insanity ready for public viewing". The Guardian Nigeria News - Nigeria and World News. 23 March 2019. Retrieved 14 May 2021.
25. Ojo, Wale (3 October 2019). "Don't Get Mad Get Even". RGD Media Productions. Retrieved 22 March 2021.
26. Apanpa, Saheed; Irene, Airebamen. "Jumbled". imdb.com. Retrieved 3 July 2022.
27. Asurf, Oluseyi (13 September 2019). "Kasanova". Asurf Films. Retrieved 22 March 2021.
28. O'Kelly, Aoife (9 October 2019). "Walking with Shadows". Oya Media. Retrieved 23 May 2021.
29. Kasum, Kayode (15 May 2020). "This Lady Called Life". AzureNoir&Co, Film Trybe. Retrieved 22 March 2021.
30. "Wale Ojo". IMDb. Retrieved 3 July 2022.
31. "Bloodhound". IMSb. 18 February 2022. Retrieved 3 July 2022.
32. "The Annual Film Mischief 2022 Awards: 'Songs of Ubong' Wins Grand Cheese Prize, Kelvin Amamize Takes Top Writing Prize". What Kept Me Up. 26 March 2022. Retrieved 3 July 2022.
33. Nwogu, Precious 'Mamazeus' (18 March 2022). "Check out the official trailer for Umanu Elijah's 'A Place Called Forward'". Pulse Nigeria. Retrieved 3 July 2022.
34. Okpue, Ogodinife. "A Song from the Dark". IMDb.com. Adverto. Retrieved 6 October 2022.
35. Kasum, Kayode (7 July 2023). "Love, Lust & Other Things". Mswitch Global, Sozo Films. Retrieved 19 June 2024.
36. Oloruntoyin, Faith (10 September 2022). "Everything We Know About 'Breath of Life', Prime Video's First Commissioned Nigerian Film". What Kept Me Up. Retrieved 6 October 2022.
37. Ritman, Alex (5 August 2022). "Amazon Prime Video Unveils First Nigerian Originals 'Gangs of Lagos,' 'LOL: Last One Laughing Naija' Amid Major Local Push". The Hollywood Reporter. Retrieved 6 October 2022.
38. David, Obed (24 April 2024). "Wole Ojo is Wole Soyinka in film adaptation of 'The Man Died'". Premium Times Nigeria. Retrieved 19 June 2024.
39. Josyph, Peter (2011). "Now Let's Talk about 'The Sunset Limited': An Exchange With Marty Priola". The Cormac McCarthy Journal. 9 (1): 66–86. doi:10.2307/42909426. ISSN 2333-3073. JSTOR 42909426. S2CID 248792088. Retrieved 21 March 2021.
40. Billington, Michael (2 September 2005). "Who Killed Mr Drum?". The Guardian. Retrieved 19 June 2024.
41. "New Nigeria Cinema hits National Film Theatre Southbank". African Voice Newspaper. 22 November 2017. Retrieved 22 March 2021.
42. "EXCLUSIVE INTERVIEW WITH WALE OJO". Bespoke Event Guide. 7 November 2017. Retrieved 22 March 2021.
43. "This, Your Lagos". ICFF - Lavazza IncluCity. Retrieved 19 June 2024.
44. "Nollywood Movie Award list nominees for 2013 awards | Nigerian Entertainment Today - Nigeria's Number 1 Entertainment Daily". 26 March 2014. Archived from the original on 26 March 2014. Retrieved 3 July 2022.
45. "Photos + Full List Of Winners At The NEA". Information Nigeria. 4 September 2012. Retrieved 21 March 2021.
46. "The Latest on New Shows, Channel Launches and More | DStv | AMVCA nominees announced". 17 April 2015. Archived from the original on 17 April 2015. Retrieved 3 July 2022.
47. Onohwosa, Fejiro (2 July 2018). "Complete List of AMVCA 2018 Nominees". The Guardian Nigeria News - Nigeria and World News. Retrieved 2 July 2022.
48. Husseini, Shaibu (1 October 2022). "AMAA 2022: Focus on Best Supporting Actors nominees". The Guardian Nigeria News - Nigeria and World News. Retrieved 6 October 2022.
49. Cletus, Confidence (11 May 2024). "AMVCA: As predicted by PREMIUM TIMES, 'Breath of Life' wins Best Movie (FULL WINNERS LIST)". Premium Times Nigeria. Retrieved 12 May 2024.

External links

• Wale Ojo at IMDb
• The Virgo Foundation, Ojo's charitable organisation