Alex Usifo (Born on April 16, 1953, Age: 71 years old) is a Nigerian actor, television personality, and entrepreneur best known for his role in the 1988 movie, Ripples.
The Nigerian film industry has witnessed great talents that have played significant roles in its growth. One such talent is Alex Usifo, who is rated among the richest, highly creative, talented, and most influential Nollywood icons thanks to his decades of acting experience. To know more about the multiple award-winning Nollywood veteran, here are interesting facts we have to share with you.
Alex Usifo’s Biography Summary
- Full name: Alex Usifo Omiagbo
- Nickname: Alex Usifo
- Gender: Male
- Date of birth: April 16, 1953
- Alex Usifo’s Age: 71 years old
- Nationality: Nigerian
- Sexual Orientation: Straight
- Religion: Christianity
- Marital Status: Married
- Alex Usifo’s Wife: Princess
- Alex Usifo’s Children: Sarah, Isaac, David, and Osedebame
- Alex Usifo’s Parents: Barnabas and Patricia Anobi Omiagbo
- Alex Usifo’s Net worth: $1.5 Million
- Famous for: Nollywood Actor
- Alex Usifo’s Instagram: @alex.usifo
Alex Usifo Hails from Edo State in Southern Nigeria
Alex Usifo is an indigene of Edo State. He was born on April 16, 1953, and was raised in Lagos State by his parents, Barnabas and Patricia Anobi Omiagbo. His father worked for several years with the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN), where he rose to a managerial level before he retired.
He relocated with his family to Ibadan, Oyo State capital, where he had his primary education. Soon after the civil war, they returned to Edo State, where he completed his secondary education at St. John Bosco’s Grammar School, Ubiaja. His decision to become a catholic led him to enroll at St Peter and Paul Major Seminary, Bodija – Ibadan, in 1978.
However, he left the seminary in 1981 after discovering a different career path for himself and gaining admission into the University of Lagos to study Mass Communication at a diploma level. Alex also attended Ambrose-Ali University Ekpoma, in Edo state, where he bagged a 2nd-Class upper degree in English.
Determined to achieve more academically, the 71 years old veteran moved to bag a master’s degree at the Ladoke Akintola University of Technology. At Babcock University in Illishan Remo, Ogun State, he earned a Ph.D. in Information Resources Management.
Alex Usifo is believed to have siblings, but details about them have not been made public. There were claims about him being related to famous Nigerian actress and television host Linda Osifo. However, further findings have shown that the two are not related by blood, but they both hail from Edo State.
Alex Started His Career in the Media House
Alex began fending for himself much earlier than children his age. He started off after his secondary school working for five years as Operations Assistant at NTA Benin, then known as Midwest Television.
He also sold insurance policies with Crusader Insurance in the early 1980s. Shortly after his diploma years at UniLag, Usifo began going for auditions at different media houses within Lagos state and its neighboring states.
Some of the places he visited for auditions included Radio Nigeria in Lagos, Voice of Nigeria in Lagos, and Nigeria Television Authority (NTA) in Ilorin, where he made it at the top list but was eventually dropped because of the ‘Quota System.’
Failing to gain meaningfully employed at any media house, Usifo sought an alternative career path for himself, especially one that will best fit his baritone voice.
He Officially Joined the Nigerian Movie Industry in 1984
Acting as a career for Alex Usifo kicked off in 1984 when he played a major role in a telemovie titled ‘The Return of the Native,’ produced by Ray Yusuf for NTA Ilorin. Though not one of his best roles, his path in the movie inspired his decision to make his mark in the industry.
He got his next lead roles in ‘Natas’ and ‘Two People’ on LTV 8, produced by Baba Babs Fashina. Alex also took roles in NTA’s weekly series ‘At Your Service’ and was a part of NTA productions: ‘Echoes of Life’ and ‘Turning Wheel.’ All of these took place between 1984 and 1987, but his rise to fame came with his role as Talaab Abass in Zeb Ejiro’s 1988 soap opera, Ripples.
Obviously, his bulging eyes and baritone voice were useful in his portrayal of the role that eventually brought him to the limelight. Now known for playing villain roles, Alex Usifo has continued to mark his name in all segments of the movie industry.
He has appeared in several Nollywood films, appeared in radio drama, and participated in stage plays like Awero and Ola Rotimi’s Our Husband Has Gone Mad Again!, which were staged at the National Theatre, Iganmu, Surulere, Lagos.
Alex Usifo’s Movies include the following:
- End of the Wicked (1999)
- Okoro the Prince
- Strong Men at Work
- Trumpet of Death
- Who am I?
- Final Point
- The Guilty
- Azima
- Silent Night
- Desperadoes
- My Love
- Classical Fraud
- Dangerous Sisters
- Enakhe
His Television shows include:
- Ripples
- Politics and Money
- Wages
- At Your Service
- Echoes of Life
- Super Story
- This Life
Alex Usifo is a member of the Actors’ Guild of Nigeria, the Directors’ Guild of Nigeria, and the Association of Movie Producers. He even founded a modeling firm with Andy Amenechi [DGN] in the late 1980s/early 1990s. Later, he founded Silver and Gold Productions, which became a platform of greatness for upcoming models like Sandra Petrave and Raji Toyin, and many others in the entertainment industry in Nigeria.
His Talents Have Won Him Notable Awards
Alex Usifo is undoubtedly an exceptionally talented and creative actor. His style of acting, disposition, and eloquence in English spoken, marked him out among his counterparts in the industry. For his long years of contributing to the growth of the Nigerian movie industry as well as his society, this legend has also been rewarded with some outstanding awards both locally and internationally. The list of awards the veteran has so far won includes:
- Best Actor – African Collaboration; RLG Ghana Movie Awards 2012
- Best Actor – Ripples; Legends of Nollywood Awards
- AETV London and EHIGLAD Entertainment Presentation
- Lifetime Achievement Award; Nollywood Christian Fellowship 2012
- 2009 Niger Delta Awards for Excellent Achievement in the Movie Industry;
- Outstanding Achievement in Nollywood; Bells University Awards
- Award for Excellence in Artistic Creativity; Achievers’ Intl. University and Educational Network
- Peace and Development Award 2013; YELL/Advocacy Magazine & Partnership for Women and Justice
- Distinguished Award for Excellence; Rotract Club of Sagamu
- Inspirational Award; United Nations Council of Churches & Ministerial Fellowship
- Award for Excellence and Exemplary Living; Omega Fire Ministries
- The Snapshots Award; Covenant Christian Centre
- Award of Recognition; Calvary Bible Church
- Bridge Builder Awards; Winners’ Youth Ministry, Badagry
- Award for Leadership Excellence in Nollywood Movies – El Shaddai Ministries Intl.
- Nollywood Icons Award – Nigerian Film Corporation.
Alex Usifo Is Married and Has Four Children
In addition to long years of career accomplishment in the entertainment world, Alex also lives an accomplished marital life, being married to his wife for several decades now. While details of his marriage and family are sparsely circulated in the media, possibly because he prefers to keep them private, we are able to gather that the Nollywood veteran married his wife Princess in 1993.
They’ve lived together as a couple, and his marriage is equally blessed with four children whose names are listed as Sarah, Isaac, David, and Osedebame. Despite his accomplishments in Nollywood, Usifo seems not to have any of his children who are willing to pursue an acting career as he did.
As of this writing, none of his children is popular in Nollywood and on any social media platform, but we believe they are doing great in their various fields.
Has Alex Usifo Retired From Acting?
Alex Usifo is still much active in the Nollywood industry though not much of him is seen in movie scenes. In a recent interview he granted, the actor revealed that his appearance in movie scenes reduced because as he grows in his career, he tries to sensor the role he takes.
In most cases, he disagrees with the fee he is being offered by some movie producers. Alex also hopes to become a University lecturer soon. However, he plans not to be a full-time lecturer because he would like to be a responsible lecturer who will not be shooting a film when he is supposed to be in class.