No doubt, Yoruba movies are among the most famous movies in the Nollywood industry. Yoruba movies are also popular among Nigerian movies as they dominate international movie platforms such as Netflix.
According to Wikipedia, Nollywood is the second-largest movie industry by the number of film productions.
However, actors in the Yoruba movie industry are among the wealthiest celebrities in Nigeria today. Apart from the massive followers they have on social media, Yoruba actors make a lot of income from the movies they produce.
Below are the top 7 richest Yoruba actors as compiled by EKO HOT BLOG
Odunlade Adekola
Net Worth: $2 million (N823 million)
Odunlade Adekola is a Nigerian actor, singer, filmmaker, producer, and director. He was born and raised in Abeokuta, Ogun State but hails from Otun Ekiti, Ekiti State.
Odunlade’s appearance in Yoruba movies has actually paved the way for him as he is highly rated in the Nigerian movie Industry. He became famous with his lead role in Ishola Durojaye’s movie produced in 2003, Asiri Gomina Wa, among other movies.
He is the founder and CEO of Odunlade Adekola Film Production (OAFP).
His famous movies include Oyenusi, Alani Pamolekun, Sunday Dagboru, among others.
Kunle Afolayan
Net Worth: $750,000 (N307.8 million)
Born on September 30, 1974, Kunle Afolayan is a Nigerian actor, film producer, and director.
Afolayan is of Igbomina-Yoruba descent, from Kwara State. He is the son of the theatre and film director Ade Love.
Kunle Afolayan majored in economics and started out working in a bank while doing some casual acting before he decided to move into full-time filmmaking and taking a course at the New York Film Academy.
Since 2005, he has been active in the Nigerian film industry.
Kunle Afolayan has produced several films some of which include The Figurine: Araromire which was in the Yoruba and English languages and Phone Swap. The Figurine won five major awards in the African Film Academy and was successful in Nigerian movie theaters, while Phone Swap, in 2013, premiered in France at the first edition of NollywoodWeek Paris and won the Public Choice Award.
Kunle Afolayan appeared at the Subversive Film Festival in 2011 where he represented the Nigerian film industry with his colleague Zeb Ejiro.
He struck a deal with Netflix in 2021 to make three feature films, including a screen adaptation of Sefi Atta’s book SWALLOW. Kunle Afolayan and the writer penned the script which reportedly has a major twist from the original story.
Kunle Afolayan is the CEO of Golden Effects Pictures, a Nigerian film, and production company incorporated in 2005.
He also makes money from many of his endorsement deals with business giants some of which include Globacom Nigeria, Pan Nigeria, and Air France, among others.
Jide Kosoko
Net Worth: $700,000 (N287.3 Million)
Prince Jide Kosoko was born into a royal family on January 12, 1954. He is a Nigerian actor, director, and producer.
Jide Kosoko was born in Lagos to the Kosoko royal family of Lagos Island.
He studied business administration at the Yaba College of Technology before began his acting career as a child actor in 1964 in a television production named Makanjuola.
Jide Kosoko has since featured in several Nollywood movies in both English and Yoruba languages.
The veteran actor has written and also produced his own films and stage plays.
Jide Kosoko became visible during the video film era, producing his own film, Asiri n la in 1992, starring in Asewo to re Mecca and Tunde Kelani’s Ti Oluwa Ni’Le part 2.
The famous actor is an ambassador to a popular juice production company Chivita. Also in 2016, Jide Kosoko endorsed MeritAbode Limited, owners of Emerald Estate.
He is also one of the brand ambassadors for Western Lotto situated in Nigeria.
Femi Adebayo
Net Worth: $680,000 (N279.1 million)
Born on December 31, 1972, Femi Adebayo is a Nigerian lawyer, film actor, director, producer, and businessman. He is the son of the veteran Yoruba actor, Adebayo Salami, fondly known as Oga Bello.
Femi Adebayo has a net worth of $680,000 making him one of the richest Yoruba actors.
He started his career as an actor at an early age in the year 1996 and has since been doing great among other Yoruba actors till date.
Femi Adebayo has since starred in several Yoruba historic movies, some of which include November 1, Ayitale, Emi Abata, Kodi Ologbon Aye, Apaadi, Shola Arikusa, Aseyiowu, the Ghost and also the Tout, Ayomide, Idunnu Obi, Oruka.
He is the MD/CEO of J-15 media network and has an endorsement deal with Trophy Lager Beer.
Muyiwa Ademola
Net Worth: $450,000 (N184.7 million)
Muyiwa Ademola also known as Mr. Authentic was born in Abeokuta, Ogun State.
He is also a successful film producer and director.
Muyiwa Ademola is a talented manuscript author as he goes deep in finding the best raw stories.
Muyiwa Ademola is the present brand ambassador for a real estate firm, Schemelink Residence Limited.
Wale Akorede (Okunnu)
Net Worth: $450,000 (N184.7 million)
Wale Akorede, popularly known as Okunnu, is a Yoruba actor, director, and producer. He is well known for his comic and funny roles in Yoruba movies.
Okunnu is one star that future aspiring actors look up to, and he has been featured in more than 90 Yoruba Movies.
Akorede was an entrepreneur before he started acting.
He is a professional Yoruba actor who isn’t featured on Yoruba movies alone but also on Nollywood English movies.
Wale Akorede is one of Nigeria’s highest-paid actors has an estimated net worth of $450,000.
Olaniyi Afonja (Sanyeri)
Net Worth: $400,000 (N164.1 million)
Olaniyi Afonja, popularly known as Sanyeri, was born on October 14, 1974. He is a Nigerian comedian, actor, and producer.
Sanyeri was born in the Bola Area of Oyo town in Oyo State as the first child of his parents.
He had his formal education at St. Michael Primary School, Òkè-èbó, Oyo State and Durbar Grammar School, Oyo Town, Oyo State where he completed his secondary school education.
Sanyeri, who is well known in the Yoruba movie industry, began his acting career in 1992 after joining a theatre group introduced to him by a friend.
He, however, relocated to Lagos State in 1996 to further his career and has since starred in several Yoruba films.
Sanyeri is one of Nigeria’s highest-paid actors has an estimated net worth of $400,000.
He earns well from many endorsements, sponsorship, and advertisement deals.
Sanyeri has starred in several Yoruba movies, some of which include Opa kan, Muniru ati Ambali, among others.
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