Gbenro Ajibade (Born: December 8, 1985; Age: 38 years old) is an award-winning Nigerian actor, producer, model, presenter, and host famous for his leading role in Tinsel. He is also the ex-husband of Osas Ighodaro, a Nigerian-American model, actress, and former beauty queen.
Gbenro is one of the many young talents who have excelled in the Nigerian entertainment industry. He first became popular for his role in Mnet’s Tinsel but his marriage to Osas Ighodaro announced him further in the world of fame. To know more about the tall, dark and handsome Nigerian actor, here are interesting facts we have to share with you.
Summary of Gbenro Ajibade’s Bio
- Full name: Gbenro Emmanuel Ajibade
- Gender: Male
- Date of birth: December 8, 1985
- Gbenro Ajibade’s Age: 38 years old
- Ethnicity: Black
- Nationality: Nigerian
- Sexual Orientation: Straight
- Religion: Christianity
- Marital Status: Single
- Gbenro Ajibade’s Wife: Osas Ighodaro (2015 – 2019)
- Gbenro Ajibade’s Children: Azaria (Daughter)
- Siblings: One sister and four brothers, including Ige and Adebayo Ajibola
- Gbenro Ajibade’s Height in Inches: 6 feet
- Gbenro Ajibade’s Net Worth: $700,000
- Famous for: Tinsel
- Gbenro Ajibade’s Instagram: @gbenroajibade
Gbenro Ajibade Hails from Kogi State, North Central Nigeria
Details of Gbenro’s parents and siblings have not been revealed, but we sure know that his father, Patrick Ajibade, is a renowned engineer and that he grew up in a family of six children, of which he is the fourth. He has one sister and four brothers, among which is Jude Ige Ajibade, who battled kidney disease before his death in 2014. Gbenro also has a brother named Adebayo.
Gbenro got his Primary and Secondary school education in Benue and got a degree in Biology Education from Benue State University. The actor said that he never liked his course. He wanted to study Computer Science but was offered Computer Education instead.
Gbenro Ajibade Began his Career as a Model
Ajibade has always nursed a passion for the big screen since he was young, and as he grew into a tall and handsome-looking young man, his passion began to metamorphose into a dream career. However, he never envisioned himself as a professional model until his years in College, particularly in his second year at Benue State University, when his friends lobbied him to participate in the Mr Campus competition. This he did and eventually won.
While Gbenro enjoyed the fame and respect winning the Mr Campus brought to him, he revealed that his further research about modeling as a profession, plus his love for the stage, spurred him on to give it a try.
Two days after graduating from the University in 2005, Gbenro moved to Lagos to pursue his dream as a model, and it was like a different world entirely. He not only discovered that modeling has two aspects – photography and fashion modeling, but also that each of the aspects has its different requirements. For photography, he needed to have a pleasing smile, and for fashion, he should be up to six feet.
Luckily, his six feet three inches tall with a slim-fitting body. This made him the best fit for the two aspects. He, however, needed to engage in rigorous body routines in order to stay in shape, as most designers would prefer models like him to go shirtless. This, too, was one of the inspirations for him to work out more at the beginning.
Gbenro was in fashion modeling for a year and nine months before getting his first job in photography, where he made his big break. At the time of writing this piece, Gbenro revealed that he had done over two million fashion shows in Nigeria. He has also done about 17 TV commercials, five billboards, and so many other press adverts.
Apparently, he was already a bigwig in the modeling industry before he branched out to the film industry. One of his best years as a model could be 2011, when he won Most Outstanding Actor/Model of the Year at the 2011 Nigerian Model Achievers Awards. Below are some of the known platforms and brands he modeled for.
- Bill Witherspoon’s model at the Africa New York fashion week – 2013
- He was one of the models at the Arise Magazine fashion week – 2013
- Model for Khadijah couture at the Africa New York fashion week – 2013
- He modeled for maze couture at the Africa New York fashion week – 2013
- Mai Atafo’s model at the Native and Vogue International fashion week – 2013
- Model of Alvince Coutre at the Native and Vogue International fashion week – 2013
- Mai Atafo’s model at the Lagos fashion and design week – 2013
- Model at Mercedez Benz New York fashion week – 2014
- Vuitton Prince model at the walk fashion show at the New York fashion week – 2014
- Native and Vogue International fashion week – 2014
- Model for the Larry Underwood collection at the New York fashion week – 2015
- Runway Dubai fashion show model – 2019
- Model for Yomi Casual at the Atlanta fashion designers fashion show – 2019
How He Began his Acting Career
Gbenro Ajibade joined the movie industry in 2018 without having any idea about acting. He landed his first acting gig, Tinsel, while attending one of his many auditions, shoots, fashion shows, and casting calls. Though intimidated by the many cameras and high-tech equipment surrounding him, Gbenro worked his way from being a mere rookie in the film industry to be one of the best any filmmaker would be proud to have.
Aside from consistent practice, Gbenro said he got to where he currently is through rigorous hard work that includes research and being able to maintain his physical and mental well-being. Also, you would need to invest in your craft, and that would include training, acting classes, and all.
Tinsel became both Gbenro’s testing ground for acting and a stepping stone to his further rise to fame and fortune. Given the lead role of ‘Soji’ in the Mnet series, Gbenro has appeared in over 4,000 episodes in the space of 12 years of the show.
Moving further in his acting career, Gbenro Ajibade has featured in numerous other films and TV shows in Nigeria, sharing the screen with top Nigerian movie stars like Desmond Elliot, Kunle Remi, Omoni Oboli, and Ini Edo. 2017
Gbenga Ajibade’s Movies and TV Shows
- Cold Calm
- Reprisal
- Hip Hop Holiday
- Memoirs of 4
- Bachelor’s Eve
- Bad Boys and Pretty
- Ten Days in Sun City
- Couple’s Award
- Catchi.er
- Official Business
- 30’s
- An Hour with Shrink
- Twisted Thorne
- Gbomo Gbomo Express
- Tinsel
- Shattered Romance
- The Wages
- The View
- When a Woman Loves
- Me Vs Me
- Wrong Turn
- Locked Up II
What Shows has Gbenro Ajibade Hosted?
Gbenro has hosted or presented in many shows in Nigeria. These shows have not only helped him build his career to a further level, but they serve as a source of encouragement to make a further impact in the highly competitive industry. Shows he has so far hosted include the following:
- In 2013, Gbenro hosted the Africa Magic Viewers’ Choice Awards (AMVCA) nominee brunch alongside famous actress Linda Ejiofor,
- He hosted the maiden edition of the WED awards alongside actress Beverly Naya – 2013
- He was a Guest Presenter at the Africa Magic Viewers’ Choice Awards (AMVCA) in 2016
- in 2016, he was the commentator at the Female Celebrity Soccer Match
- He was the host of the Best of Nollywood (BON) Awards alongside Rahama Sadau – 2017
- He hosted the 2019 All Africa Music Awards (AFRIMMA) Fashion Show
- He hosted the 2022 Texas Gold Film Festival alongside Liberian-born actress Jojo Charry
Gbenro Ajibade’s Awards and Nominations
For his long years of making a meaningful impact in the entertainment industry in his home country and beyond, 38 years oldGbenro Ajibade has enjoyed massive fame and financial benefits that come with them.
So far, he is listed among the highest award earners in the industry, with some coming from well-recognized organizations across the board. Below is a full list of all the notable awards the talented entertainer has won.
- The most outstanding actor model in the 2011 Nigerian Model Achievers Awards
- Best youth act movie male nominee at the Tush Awards (2014)
- Nominated for the award of the golden supporting actor drama at the 2016 Golden Movie Awards
- Winner of Access Bank Lagos City Marathon (2018)
- Diamond special recognition awards recipient (2019)
- Winner of The Sexiest Man Alive by the Man Magazine Nigeria – 2019
His Endorsement Deals
As one of the hottest faces in Nollywood, Gbenro Ajibade has signed many endorsements deals with top companies and organizations in the country. Some of the known deals this superstar has so far signed include:
- INEC youth ambassador for supporting INEC for peaceful elections (2015)
- Served as one of the judges at the Miss Charismatic Nigeria beauty contest (2015)
- He was the brand ambassador of Yomi Casual in 2015
- He signed an endorsement deal as the Brand ambassador of Caesar couture in 2016
- He was an Instant pick-up brand ambassador in 2017
- Payporte Fashion Ambassador in 2018
Gbenro Ajibade Was Once Osas Ighodaro’s Husband
Gbenro’s relationship with Osas Ighodaro was one of the many trending topics that dominated the internet. This is so because the two were already celebrated personalities in their various fields in the entertainment industry.
Gbenro and Osas met for the first time on the set of the TV series Tinsel. They started out as friends and work-out partners before they got caught up in the web of love and romance. Gbenro proposed to Osas in August 2014 at the Statue of Liberty, Liberty Island, USA.
Their relationship moved to another level following Osas’s acceptance of his marriage proposal. Shortly after, they got married. Their traditional marriage was held in Benin, the Edo state capital, on June 15, 2015, and their fairytale wedding ceremony was held in New York, USA.
Gbenro and Osas lived together as a couple for about five years before their unfortunate separation in 2019. Their union was blessed with a baby girl, Azariah Tiwatope Osarugue Ajibade, who was born on June 21, 2016.
Osas Ighodaro is a famous Nigerian-American actor, host, producer, and humanitarian. She is best known for winning the Miss Black USA Pageant and for establishing The Joyful Joy Foundation with the aim of raising funds and awareness for the Malaria fight.
Osas, like her ex-husband, has appeared in many Nigerian films and has even won notable awards in the industry, including the Best Actress Award, at the 2022 Africa Magic Viewers Choice Awards.
Why Osas and Gbenro’s Marriage Failed
Gbenro and Osas’s failed marriage has generated lots of speculations on the internet, with many pointing fingers at either of the couples for the fallout. Meanwhile, the whole issue about their failed marriage started when Ajibade publicly accused Osas of habitually neglecting their daughter to party with friends.
In a series of posts on his Instagram Stories, Gbenro called out his wife, saying she leaves their child in the care of a nanny and “goes out to party and hang with friends/events from night till dawn. It’s not the first, second, third, or fourth time,” he said. He went on to add, “I see through all the hypocrisy and crocodile tears. It’s not about putting sh** outside, it’s about the final warning. I’ve tried every other means and you know it. It’s not a do-or-die affair,”
“Make up your mind and stop wasting a guy’s time,” he concluded.
When asked why he had to go public with their marital issues, the actor said, he was just using Instagram as a tool to save the situation as he had laid several complaints with no improvements on the side of the actress.
Meanwhile, the actor was accused of arranging his marriage with Osas so that he could get a blue passport (American passport). He, however, denied the allegation, saying he wouldn’t go through all the processes of doing traditional marriage, involving families, and having a white wedding in New York just for a green card.
Gbenro and Osas are no longer together, but they share responsibility for their daughter Azariah. On June 21, 2022, the celebrity parents came together to celebrate their daughter’s sixth birthday, and it left many hoping to see them back together again as a couple.
Who is Gbenro Ajibade Dating Now?
Gbenro seems to have moved on with his life as he is recently seen flaunting a beautiful lady assumed to be his new girlfriend. Just a few years after the Nollywood actor finally confirmed that he had divorced Osas Ighodaro, putting to sleep the confusion about their marital status, he is seen with a US-based model and vixen who goes by the name Keisha.
It is not clear if Gbenro is officially in a relationship with Keisha but from the lovey-dovey nature of the photos and videos he constantly shares on his social media pages, one cannot but assume that the father of one might have found love again.