Nollywood has been tagged as one of the biggest movie industries in the world today raking in several billions of dollars annually. The Nigerian film industry include intellectuals, professors, doctorate degree holders and others who combine acting with being an educationist and passing their wealth of knowledge to their students.
Here is a list of Nollywood actors who also teach in universities.
1. Hafiz Oyetoro aka Saka
Hafiz Oyetoro popularly known as Saka acts in Nollywood movies and is also a stand-up comedian. He is also a lecturer in the Theatre Arts department of the Adeniran Ogunsanya College of Education in Lagos.
2. Doyin Hassan
Doyin Hassan is popular for his role in Saworoide and has since gone on to appear in only Christian movies produced by Mike Bamiloye’s Mount Zion Film Productions. Doyin Hassan holds a PhD in Marketing and he is a senior lecturer in the department of marketing in Lagos State University (LASU). He is also a former HOD at the department and is currently an Assistant Director in the university’s school of part-time studies in charge of Ogba and Ikorodu campuses.
3. Kola Oyewo
Kola Oyewo is well known for his role in Tunde Kelani’s movie ‘Kosegbe’ where he played Mako, an incorruptible custom boss. In 1996, Oyewo joined the services of Obafemi Awolowo University, where he rose to the rank of senior lecturer before retiring in September 2011. After his retirement from Obafemi Awolowo University, he joined the services of Redeemer’s University, where he currently serves as head of the department of dramatic art.
4. Sam Dede
Award winning actor, Sam Dede known for his role in epic movie ‘Igodo’ is a man of many parts. The former lecturer at the University of Lagos is currently in the employ of the Department of Theatre Arts at the University of Port Harcourt. He is also the Director-General of the Rivers State Tourism Development Agency.
5. Prof. Ayo Akinwale
Ayo Akinwale is not only a veteran actor but also a movie producer and an academician. He was one of the best actors of his time, he has featured in several radio and television programmes and and also home movies. He is the Dean, Faculty of Arts at the University of Ilorin and also a laureate of the African Movie Academy Award (AMAA).
6. Sola Fosudo
Dr. Sola Fosudo who is one of the most respected actors in Nigeria is a senior lecturer and head of the Department of Theatre Art, Lagos State University and the University’s director of information.
7. Peter Fatomilola
The veteran actor is a graduate of theatre arts from Obafemi Awolowo University (OAU), Ife, and he learnt under professor Wole Soyinka. He later became a dramatic arts instructor at the OAU. Though he is retired, he still gets invitations to come and lecture in universities.
8. Prof. Akinwunmi Isola
Professor Akinwunmi Isola is a Nigerian playwright, actor, dramatist, culture activist and scholar who was a lecturer at the OAU and became a professor in 1991.
9. Tunji Sotimirin
Tunji Sotimirin is a veteran actor whose activity in the Nigerian movie industry spans almost three decades. He stared in ‘Owuro Lojo’ alongside a young Joke Silva in the early 90s and has also featured in numerous movies including Tade Ogidan’s Hostages. The funny actor is currently a lecturer in the department of theatre arts at the University of Lagos.
10. Gbenga Windapo
Gbenga Windapo is a prolific actor and comedian who recently acted alongside 2face, Ali Baba and many others in Baba Dee’s movie, Head Gone. He is a lecturer at Adeniran Ogunsanya College of Education (AOCOED). Gbenga Windapo who has acted in many stage plays founded the comedy group, Lafomania, which had Saka and many other comedians as members. (Nairaland)