Olaiya Igwe is the name people know, but his real name is Lukmon Ebun Oloyede. He is a Nigerian actor, film producer and director.
He is Yoruba and Nigerian. Olaiya Igwe was born on 27 July 1957 in Kenta, Oke-Ejigbo, Abeokuta, Ogun State. That means he is 68 years old.
He is famous for acting in Yoruba Nollywood films, especially funny roles. He has worked in films for more than forty years and has appeared in over one hundred movies. Olaiya Igwe has also produced about twenty movies.
Early Years and Education
Olaiya grew up in Abeokuta, Ogun State. As a child, he went to St. Judes Primary School in Abeokuta.
After that, he attended Premier Grammar School in Ojere, Abeokuta, where he completed his secondary education.
Later, he studied Mass Communication at Moshood Abiola Polytechnic. Many years after that, in 2022, he graduated from Crescent University, Abeokuta, where he earned a diploma in Film Performance and Communication Studies.
How His Acting Dream Started
In the 1970s, Olaiya joined the Musbau Shodimu Theatre Organisation in Abeokuta. This was the beginning of his acting life.
He was inspired after watching a film by the late Adeyemi Afolayan, also known as Ade Love. He noticed that Ade Love had tribal marks and still acted confidently. Because Olaiya also has tribal marks, this gave him courage to follow the same path.
He also worked with the Nigerian Television Authority, acting in stage plays during that time. From then on, acting became his life.
His Long-Acting Career
Olaiya has acted in films since the 1970s. He has gained popularity over the years with comical acts in Yoruba films.
He was well known with films such as Ololade (Mr. Money) and Iru Esin. Olaiya Igwe also acted in the Africa Magic television series Awon Aladun De and Ile Alayo.
He has appeared in movies with famous actors like Odunlade Adekola, Bimbo Ademoye, and Iyabo Ojo. He has been in the industry for well over four decades and is still actively involved in the industry.
Movies and Television Work Over the Years
His film work stretches from the early 2000s to recent years. Some of his films include Abela Pupa, released in 2003, where he also worked as a director.
Other films over the years include Boya Lemo in 2002, Ogbologbo, Obáj’obalo, Fila Daddy and Súnmibáre in 2003, Ito Funfun and Ajoke Point One in 2004, Sababi in 2005, Alase Aye and Ologbon Meji in 2006, Ó kojá òfin and Aye Olorogun in 2007, Obi Omo in 2009, Jelili in 2011, Ayitale in 2013, Mokalik and Diamonds in the Sky in 2019, Saheed Esu in 2020, Obankoba in 2021, and Ijakumo: The Born Again Stripper, Jagbajantis Reloaded and U-Turn in 2022.
In 2024, he appeared in Blacksmith: Alagbede.
He has also featured in popular online skits with creators such as Cute Abiola, Lawyer Kunle, Mr Macaroni and Yemi Elosho. In 2021, he said he wanted to focus more on skits and even produce his own because they helped him reach younger fans.
Work as a Producer and Director
Olaiya did not only act. He also became a producer and director.
One of the most famous films he directed, Abela Pupa, came out in 2003.
As a producer, he has worked on around twenty movies.
Although acting brought him more fame, producing and directing helped him become a well-rounded entertainer.
Devastating Blow from Piracy
One of the hardest moments of his life happened after he produced a movie in 2008. The film was titled Mystery of Unity in English and Aditu Isokan in Yoruba. Both versions were shot at the same time and released together in 2014.
He spent about fifty-two million naira making the movie. When the film was released, pirates copied it immediately. He lost all the money and went into debt for months. He said he almost collapsed when he heard the news.
After this incident, he travelled to the United States to rest with his son Ridwan, who was building a music career in New York. Since then, he has not produced another movie. He later advised filmmakers to release good films only in cinemas or on streaming platforms like Netflix to avoid piracy.
Regret Over Tope Alabi’s Wedding
Olaiya once shared a painful regret involving gospel singer Tope Alabi. After releasing Ololade Mr Money, he bought a luxury car and wrote the movie title on it.
While he was in Ibadan showing a film, the car was stolen but later recovered. Before Tope Alabi’s wedding, she and her husband Soji asked to use the car as their wedding car. Olaiya agreed at first.
Later, he became afraid that robbers might attack them. A day before the wedding, he stopped answering her calls and did not give them the car.
He said this still hurts him deeply, even though he has apologised and Tope Alabi now owns many luxury cars.
Personal Life and Family
Olaiya is married and has children. One of his children is Ridwan Oloyede, a musician living in New York. Olaiya is from Ogun State and reportedly owns property there. He is Muslim and lives mostly in Lagos.
His Tribal Marks and How He Feels About Them
Olaiya has tribal marks on his face. He once said he felt ashamed of them and believed they would have stopped him from being a professional footballer.
Over time, he came to understand their cultural meaning. He explained that many African tribes used marks for identification, though many people later regret them because of bullying and embarrassment.
Gifts, Health and Controversies
In August 2022, he received a Mercedes Benz GLK from MC Oluomo, the chairman of the Lagos State Park and Garages Management. Many people were surprised to see him show deep appreciation for the gift.
In 2021, he suffered from kidney stones and spent a large amount of money on treatment abroad. His hospital bills were later paid by Oluremi Tinubu.
He later became controversial for publicly supporting Bola Ahmed Tinubu. A video of him praying naked for Tinubu’s election went viral in December 2022, leading to criticism and disciplinary action from filmmakers, though he said he did not regret his political choice.
Money and Achievements
Different reports estimate his net worth between one hundred thousand dollars and seven hundred and fifty thousand dollars. His income comes mainly from acting, producing and directing. Two films he acted in, Ijakumo: The Born Again Stripper and King of Thieves, made hundreds of millions of naira at the box office.
He has received recognition for his work, including the City People Movie Award for Comic Actor of the Year in the Yoruba category.
Why He Matters
Olaiya Igwe is respected because he has stayed in the Nigerian film industry for decades. He is known for making people laugh, for mentoring younger creators, and for sharing his life lessons openly. His story is that of success, mistakes, loss, regret and growth, told through a long life in film.