Ebun Oloyede, who is better known as Olaiya Igwe, is a Nigerian actor and producer who has amassed an estimated net worth of $100,000. The 66 year-old actor, who was born on 27 July 1957, is famed for his roles in Ijakumo: The Born Again Stripper (2022), King of Thieves (2022), Ó kojá òfin (2007), and Obáj’obalo (2003).
Olaiya’s career in the entertainment industry has lasted over a decade. While being a mainstream actor, he also appears in skits. Igwe also drew attention to himself for his being in a controversial situation over his support for Nigeria’s 16th president, Bola Ahmed Tinubu. From his childhood to his career and how much fortune he has, here is all to know about Olaiye Igwe.
Summary of Olaiya Igwe’s Bio
- Full name: Lukmon Ebun Oloyede
- Nickname: Olaiya Igwe
- Gender: Male
- Date of birth: 27 July 1957
- Olaiya Igwe’s Age: 66 years old
- Ethnicity: Yoruba
- Nationality: Nigerian
- Zodiac Sign: Leo
- Sexual Orientation: Straight
- Religion: Islam
- Marital Status: Married
- His Children: Ridwan Oloyede, among others
- Olaiya Igwe’s Net worth: Over $100,000
- Famous for: Acting career
- Olaiya Igwe’s Instagram: @olaiyaigwefilms
- Facebook: Olaiya Igwe
How Old is Olaiya Igwe?
Olaiya Igwe is currently 66 years old. He was born Edun Oloyede in Kenta, Oke-Ojigbo Abeokuta in Ogun State on 27 July 1957. Nonetheless, he had a private upbringing.
At a young age, he attended St. Judes Primary School in Abeokuta. Afterward, he went to Premier Grammar School, also in Abeokuta. It was there that he earned his secondary school certificate.
Moreso, the actor later became a graduate of Moshood Abiola Polytechnic, and in 2022, he graduated from Crescent University Abeokuta.
All About Olaiya Igwe’s Career
Ebun Oloyede started his career as an entertainer in the 1970s when he joined Musbau Shodimy Theater Organization in Abeokuta.
His love for art was deepened after watching the late Adeyemi Afolayan’s “Ade Love” act. In fact, he noticed that Ade Love, the father of Gabriel and Kunle Afolayan, had tribal marks but didn’t mind. Since he also has marks, Olaiya knew he could go places.
From there, he continued with his career and later started to feature in mainstream movies. His roles are mostly comic in Yoruba films. As an actor, reports show he has appeared in over 100 films in over 4 decades.
Olaiya Igwe’s Movies and TV Shows
- Ijakumo: The Born Again Stripper (2022)
- Jagbajantis Reloaded (2022)
- U-Turn (2022)
- Coker Close (2022)
- King of Thieves (2022)
- Obankoba (2021)
- Jagbajantis (2021)
- Sunday Ewenje (2021)
- Saheed Esu (2020)
- Omoniyun (2019)
- Mokalik (Mechanic) (2019)
- Diamonds in the Sky (2019)
- Ayitale (2013)
- Jelili (2011)
- Oga olopa (2010)
- Obi omo (2009)
- Abidemi (2008)
- Omidan ìBáLé (2007)
- Àtànpàkò òtún (2007)
- Aye olorogun (2007)
- Aridunnu oko (2007)
- Ó kojá òfin (2007)
- Posi alaye (2007)
- Mewa n sele (2006)
- Alase aye (2006)
- Ologbon meji (2006)
- Sonibarin (2006)
- Iku lopin (2006)
- Sababi (2005)
- Iyawo panda (2005)
- Ere agbere (2005)
- Eni Eleni (2005)
- Ajoke Point One (2004)
- Olorun esan (2004)
- Suku suku bam bam (2004)
- Ito funfun (2004)
- Látòrunwá (2003)
- Ogun àdùbí (2003)
- Koroba koroba (2003)
- Fila Daddy (2003)
- Òkanlomo (2003)
- Obáj’obalo (2003)
- Ogbologbo (2003)
- Súnmibáre (2003)
- Abela Pupa (2003)
- Boya lemo (2002)
- Agogo èèwò (2002)
He Has appeared in Skits
The interesting role interpreter gives himself a space to feature in skits. Some of the skits he has featured in were produced by renowned names such as Mr. Macaroni, Cute Abiola, Lawyer Kunle, and Yemi Elosho.
In 2021, he revealed his intention to put more into skit creation. Also, rather than being only featured in a few, he would also start his own production. He further said that featuring in skits has increased his fanbase. This could be evident in the numerous Instagram comments on his page, asking for him to do more in skits.
Olaiya Igwe is Also a Director and Producer
Olaiya opened up himself to become a director and producer. One of his most famous directed films is Abela Pupa which was released in 2003 and featured actors such as Remi Abiola, Dele Odule, Waheed Ijaduade, and Clarion Chukwura.
Looking at his career as a film producer, it is reported that he has produced about 20 movies in her career. His career as a producer and director is not as successful as his acting, but it sure placed his name as a diversified entertainer.
How Much Is Olaiya Igwe’s Net Worth?
The King of Thieves actor has a net worth that is assessed at over $100,000. He has recorded much of his wealth from his career, which has lasted over 4 decades.
As an actor, he has appeared in some high-earning box-office films. They include Femi Adebayo, Toyin Abraham, Broda Shaggi, and Ibrahim Chatta. Moreso, the actor may have earned from other business ventures and endorsement deals. In any case, here are the ways he made his fortune.
Only Two of his Movies Made over ₦500 Million
As we have mentioned earlier, Olaiya’s primary source of income is his acting career. Despite this, some of his movies have made more income than others.
The films include Ijakumo: The Born Again Stripper. It made ₦278,496,384 at the box office upon its release in 2022. Although Olaiya played the minor character “Man”, his character added to the story. The Toyin Abraham film also features actors like Bimbo Akintola and Kunle Remi.
Another high-grossing film the actor featured in is King of Thieves, which made ₦320,805,150 at the box office. Olaiya played the 1st Olukosi in the 2022 released film.
The film, which was directed by Tope Adebayo and Adebayo Tijani; and produced by Femi Adebayo, starred actors such as Lateef Adedimeji.
The Actor Lost Some of His Net Worth Over Time
Olaiya Igwe may have made a good fortune that amounts to his net worth, but he has equally lost some. His major loss was in 2014, when he lost ₦52m to movie piracy. According to him, he did not reclaim any money from the film as pirated copies were all over the market a day before the official date of its release.
He Lost Some Fortune on Hospital Bills
In 2021, Olaiya suffered from kidney stones. He spent a good fortune on treatment, and his bills were later settled by Oluremi Tinibu, Bola Ahmed Tinibu‘s wife. Although the actual amount may be shadowy, the treatment was carried out overseas and may cost millions.
He continuously sings praises of the Tinibu family, and his love for them landed him in a major controversy. In December 2022, a viral video of himself praying naked for Tinubu’s presidential elections went viral. Although the controversy drew much attention to him, it also landed him in discipline by the Nigerian filmmakers’ disciplinary committee.
Olaiya Igwe’s Cars and Houses
The actor may have a house or houses in Lagos and Ogun. However, he keeps that aspect of his life private, but as much as we know, he resides in Lagos. This is a similar case with his cars. Yet, in April 2022, he received the gift of a Mercedez Benz GLK SUV from MC Oluomo.