This biography talks about Olaiya Igwe’s age, family, education, career, movies, net worth, and personal life. 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 in 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.
Olaiya Igwe Biography
- Full name: Lukmon Ebun Oloyede
- Stage name: Olaiya Igwe
- Date of birth: 27 July 1957
- Age: 68 years (2026)
- Origin: Abeokuta, Ogun State, Nigeria
- Nationality: Nigerian
- Profession: Actor, filmmaker, director
- Industry: Yoruba Nollywood
- Years active: 1970s–present
Early Life, Olaiya Igwe Education and Background
Olaiya grew up in Abeokuta, Ogun State. As a child, he went to St. Jude’s 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.
Watching a film by the late Adeyemi Afolayan, also known as Ade Love, inspired him deeply. He noticed that Ade Love had tribal marks and still acted confidently. Because Olaiya also has tribal marks, this gave him the 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.
Olaiya Igwe Career in Yoruba Nollywood
Olaiya has acted in films since the 1970s. He has gained popularity over the years with comical acts in Yoruba films.
Films such as Ololade (Mr Money) and Iru Esin helped establish his popularity. 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 spent over four decades in the industry and remains actively involved today.
Olaiya Igwe Movies and Filmography
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.
List of selected Yoruba Nollywood films featuring Olaiya Igwe:
| Year | Movie |
|---|---|
| 2002 | Boya Lemo |
| 2003 | Abela Pupa, Ogbologbo, Obáj’obalo, Fila Daddy, Súnmibáre |
| 2004 | Ajoke Point One, Ito Funfun |
| 2005 | Sababi |
| 2006 | Alase Aye, Ologbon Meji |
| 2007 | Ó kojá òfin, Aye Olorogun |
| 2009 | Obi Omo |
| 2011 | Jelili |
| 2013 | Ayitale |
| 2019 | Mokalik, Diamonds in the Sky |
| 2020 | Saheed Esu |
| 2021 | Obankoba |
| 2022 | Ijakumo: The Born Again Stripper, Jagbajantis Reloaded, U-Turn |
| 2024 | 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. They shot both versions at the same time and released them together in 2014.
He spent about fifty-two million naira making the movie. Pirates immediately copied the film after its release. 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.
He was in Ibadan showing a film when someone stole the car, but they later found it. 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.
Olaiya Igwe Wife and Children
Olaiya has a wife and 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 regretted 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. He surprised many people by showing deep appreciation for the gift.
In 2021, he suffered from kidney stones and spent a large amount of money on treatment abroad. Wife of the current president of Nigeria, Oluremi Tinubu, later paid his hospital bills.
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.
Olaiya Igwe Net Worth
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.
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