I am an actor and a musician. I would say I had wonderful experiences as a young child that I believe made a huge impact on my career today. I realized at a very young age that I was interested in the arts industry – music, acting and comedy. I remember sneaking out of the house to go and watch performances and live shows which all registered in my head. I knew one day I was going to do this and here we are today. I was born and raised in Kano, where I attended primary school. My high school experience was in Onitsha and then I later obtained both my bachelors and masters degree in Theatre Arts in Film Studies at the Nnamdi Azikiwe University. In 2001, as a first year student in the University, I got my first movie role, in the Chris Ubani directed ‘direct-to-dvd’ movie ‘Holy Prostitiute’, where I played a minor role as a medical doctor, with just three scenes. My 2012 portrayal of "Ugo" in the movie "The Illiterate" endeared me to audiences and opened up more opportunities for me in the Nigerian Movie industry. As a writer, my first published work "Cell 2" has gained attention and has been used in several Nigerian tertiary institutions for stage productions and academic purposes. I am grateful to have acted alongside top movie stars like; Ngozi Ezeonu, Yul Educhie, Desmond Eliot, Chinwetalu Agu, Regina Daniels and more. In 2014, 2015 and 2017 I was blessed to win a couple awards and nominations, from Best Supporting Actor, Best Lead Actor at the City People Entertainment Award, as well as the Best Lead Actor at the Afrifimo Awards in the United States. In December 2018, I released my first music single Inozikwa Omee.
What were the biggest initial hurdles to building your business and how did you overcome them?
I believe everyone dreams of being in the entertainment industry. Determination is the key solution. I worked hard and there were times I went hungry. One occasion, I stood in a bus from Anambra to Lagos for an audition because I couldn’t afford to pay for a full seat. Luckily, when I got to Lagos, I got a role in the movie. I attended numerous auditions in various places across the country because I had that fire in me. It wasn’t easy and I encountered many financial hurdles but at the end it’s worth it – stand tall.
What would you say was the single most influential factor in your business success?
Determination!!!
What do you know today that you wish you would have known when you first got started as an entrepreneur?
Treat all your auditions as your last breath!
What advice would you give to an upcoming entrepreneur locally and internationally?
Do what you are passionate about. Put every effort in to make sure it pays off and I’m thankful it did.
