Today we’d like to introduce you to Adeoluwa Akintoba.
Hi Adeoluwa, thanks for sharing your story with us. To start, maybe you can tell our readers some of your backstory.
Well after graduating Babcock University I Started off in radio as an intern 2019 in Beat Fm Ibadan, I was there for a year and 6 months and during my time there I was the best intern they’d had and was even given my own radio show, After my year internship was done I was offered employment but 6 months down the line I was laid off due to Covid 19 and financial restrictions for the radio station, I was beat up and almost depressed cause I was already getting on track with my radio career but it fell short, I didn’t let it stop me though, I was home for a month and thought of the next best thing I could do so I went on to learn Cinematography and editing with an uncle from there I was introduced to Niyi Akinmolayan one of Nigerias foremost directors, he was getting ready to film his project Prophetess and I remember going for the audition for it, it was my first ever acting audition and I didn’t know much about monologues then or what the business was like, so I just did what I would normally do on radio and it impressed them, September 30 2020 I was told I got a role in his film and that was when my acting journey started, since then I’ve been in some of the best films and series from MTV SHUGA Naija S5, Sista, Leaked (Won An AMVCA Award), Schooled, Slum King (Won An AMVCA Award)to mention but a few & I have a 2 film coming to cinemas in 2025. “The Artifact” which is Nigerias First Adventure Film & “Makemation” which is Africas first Tech AI Focused Feature Film. I play the lead role in The Artifact & A supporting character in Makemation. I’ve always wanted to do big films and be in big stuff and in my 4 years in the film space I’ve done big projects. I put in a lot of hours into learning my craft and I’m my own biggest critic, I don’t think I’ve ever watched a film I’ve been in and loved my performance, I always want to better and better in any & everything I do and I’m glad it’s showing little by little, cause I’m steadily becoming a household name & being mentioned in relevant conversations about fast rising actors in Nollywood . My Plan is to be an African Global Icon with my craft
I’m sure it wasn’t obstacle-free, but would you say the journey has been fairly smooth so far?
It hasn’t been a smooth road honestly, I remember having to shuffle being a costume designer & an actor cause I had to make money, one of my mentors eventually told me I had to pick one and since I was a kid I’ve always wanted to be on screen so you can guess I chose acting, I also remember having to tell my parents I was leaving home (Ibadan) to move to Lagos, it was a struggle at first cause they were concerned about how I’d fend for myself in a city I don’t know but I took the bull by the horn and made them see I could do it, left home in June 2021 and since then I’ve had a budding career in the film space, another challenge I’ve had to face is cause I look young I can’t play mature roles so it’s mostly high school roles I get and it early 20s but now that Nollywood is exploring more genres and is introducing new faces I’ve been getting a gigs and I’m enjoying it.
Thanks – so what else should our readers know about your work and what you’re currently focused on?
I’m an actor, filmmaker, content creator & voice over artist in Nigeria & I’m also a fast rising one according to the magazines and blogs here, I’m honestly just proud of how I haven’t given up and I’m constantly facing dreams no matter the challenges that have come my way, it’s not easy especially cause of the economic situations but God has been helping me and he’s been faithful. There’s day I doubt myself but I’m always reminded that he’s there for me and I’m living in purpose, In June 2024 I was given the RAYLF Award (Royal African Youth Leadership Award) by the Ooni Of Ife for my contribution to the entertainment and film space in Africa, winning the award was just another sign that I was on the right track for where I’m headed. What sets me apart from others I would say is my mind, I don’t think small I’ve never known how to think small, when I decided to take my acting career seriously in 2021 I remember saying I only wanted to be in the Big projects and I’ve done a couple of big projects if I’m being honest, I wanna expand from just Nollywood to the Hollywood space, I have this crazy dream of Winning an Oscar and if possible accomplish an EGOT (Emmy, Golden Globes, Oscars & Tony) I wanna be the first Nigerian born person to do it and I really hope I am.
We all have a different way of looking at and defining success. How do you define success?
To me success is the ability to appreciate the small victories and not just the big ones, every idea starts off small and it then blossoms into a big one and the ability to take a tiny idea and make it into something beautiful to me that’s success
Contact Info:
- Website: https://linktr.ee/adeyybasqi
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/adeyybasqi?igsh=MTh0OTY5d3NtbXc2cw%3D%3D&utm_source=qr
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/share/15WZEnMCUR/?mibextid=wwXIfr
- Twitter: https://x.com/adeyybasqi?s=21
Image Credits
Camroll Pictures Rewa Foto LordTanner Studios 2701 Visuals Alexis Victor O Fresh Media
