Adebayo Salami (born 9th May 1952, Age 71 years old), whose stage name is Oga Bello, is a Nigerian actor, producer, and director popularly known for having so many children. He is married to two wives and has eighteen children.
The veteran actor who most of us watch and enjoy in Nigerian Yoruba movies and TV shows started his career in the early 60s with Young Concert Party, a small theatre group that later became a sensation in the entertainment industry. He transcended into film after making a name for himself through his craft. Here are more interesting facts about him.
Summary of Oga Bello’s Biography
- Full Name: Adebayo Salami
- Nickname: Oga Bello
- Gender: Male
- Date of Birth: 9th May, 1952
- Age: 71 years
- Ethnicity: Yoruba
- Nationality: Nigerian
- Sexual Orientation: Straight
- Religion: Islam
- Marital Status: Married
- Wife: Two
- Children: 18
- Net worth: $200, 000
- Famous for: Movie making and film production
- Instagram: @adebayo.salami
71 Year Old Oga Bello Hails From Kwara State
Adebayo Salami was born into the Abdulkareem family in Ilorin, Kwara state on the 9th of May, 1952. Growing up in the mid-1900s meant that Oga Bello didn’t have a rosy path to success in the film industry. Considering the low viewership factor at the time, he had to work very hard to become relevant.
Although he is of Kwara origin, Oga Bello was born in Lagos and that is where he received his education. For his primary education, he attended Ansarudeen, Oke-Ejigbo. He had his secondary education at Adebo commercial school in Lagos before he later went to Lagos drama school.
Oga Bello Started His Career At The Age of 12
In the year 1964, Adebayo kicked off his acting career at a very tender age. Under the mentorship of Ojo Ladipo, better known as Baba Mero, Oga Bello joined the “Young concert party”, this group specialized in low-budget dramas and plays. After a few years and some subtle improvements, the Awada Kerikeri Theatre group was born.
More publicity started coming their way, but sadly Baba Mero passed away in 1978. Having gathered much-needed experience, Oga Bello rose to leadership within their group, and soon after that, he was brought to the limelight. He featured in movies such as Ajani Ogun, Kadara, and many others. But it was after he played the role of Oga Bello in the popular Nigerian comedy series comedy Half Hour that he became a prime figure in the Nigerian movie industry.
Oga Bello Is A Big Wig In The Movie Industry
Adebayo Salami is a major stakeholder in the Association of Nigerian Theatre Arts Practitioners (ANTP). Not only was he a pioneer member, but he was also made the president of the association in 2001. He served in that capacity for four years.
Asides from being an actor, Oga Bello is also a producer. Since he produced his first movie titled Ogun Ijaiye in 1985, he has gone ahead to produce many others like Ayitale, Eru Akata, Omo Orukan, etc. He is also a notable director, with many remarkable projects to his name. They include; Jelili, The Monkey Men, Oduduwa, Atanpapo Meta, and many others.
Meet Adebayo Salami’s Wives
Oga Bello is also popular for having a very large family with two wives and eighteen confirmed children. It is important to note that some of his children are from other women he shared relationships with. However, information about those relationships is not verified.
The actor admitted in an interview that he was destined to have many wives. This is because, according to him, he had wanted and planned to have only one, but life kept aligning him with other women who have become a part of his family.
He got married first to his childhood sweetheart, Risikat Ejide, the union was blessed with success and a lot of children, but like most marriages, it had its fair share of troubles. Without any further delay, here are the wives of the veteran actor.
Alhaja Risikat Ejide
Risikat Ejide is the name of Oga Bello’s first wife, the duo met in their secondary school days and has since then enjoyed 48 years of marriage. Risikat was born on the 13th of January 1952. Like her husband, she is also from Kwara and attended the same secondary school as Oga Bello.
According to the couple, they weren’t close when they first met, in fact, they weren’t even friends at all. Their love story began in school when Oga Bello who was a prefect would always punish Risikat whenever she disobeyed the school rules. As time went on, they started to share a bond and before they knew what was happening, they became inseparable.
They finally got married in 1975 and their union has produced so many children, a good number of their kids are pulling a lot of weight in the Nigerian movie industry. As the years went by, they started to face different challenges in their marriage. According to Risikat, their marriage has not always been a rosy one, because Oga Bello who happened to be successful and popular couldn’t handle the attention that came with it.
He frequently had affairs with other women and this infidelity on his part caused a rift between them. When asked how she was able to cope with the issue, she said that it was because of the great love that she had for her husband and that she always found strength whenever she thinks about her children.
She found the strength to keep their home together and even when she learned of other children born out of wedlock by him, she accepted them as if they were hers. Looking at their family pictures now, distinguishing her own children from the others is very difficult.
Alhaja Nosimot Omolabake Adebayo
Nosimot Omolabake is Adebayo Salami’s second wife. Information about how they met is not available to the public. However, there are reports suggesting that Oga Bello’s sister played a role in bringing them together through matchmaking. Alhaja Nosimot happens to be a very beautiful and industrious woman who is in her mid 60’s.
Who Are Adebayo Salami’s Children?
Oga Bello is reported to have 18 children (nine sons and nine daughters) in all. A good number of them are pulling a lot of weight in the Nigerian movie industry and those of them that aren’t in the movie industry are positively contributing to society through other means. Let’s meet Oga Bello’s children.
Wale Adebayo
Wale Adebayo is the first child of the family. He lived in the United States of America before moving back to Nigeria a few years ago. Settling back in Nigeria, he established a very thriving business in the country. Wale is the manager of Flexyklin, a company that is into building maintenance and landscaping.
Femi Adebayo
Femi Adebayo (born on December 31, 1972) is a popular Nollywood actor like his father. He is also a Lawyer. He got his Law degree from the University of Ilorin and proceeded to the University of Ibadan where he bagged his Master’s degree. Femi practiced Law for two years only before focusing on his passion, which has always been acting.
Femi Adebayo is married to Omotayo Sanusi. He was married first to Khadijat in 2004 and had three children (two boys and a girl) with her. However, their marriage hit the rocks in 2008. Years after his split he married Omotayo Sanusi in 2016. Femi and Omotayo welcomed a baby boy in 2018. Femi Adebayo was the Special Adviser to the Governor of Kwara State on Arts and Culture from 2016 to 2018.
Sadiq Adebayo
Sadiq Adebayo is another son of Oga Bello. He is the founder of Blackman Entertainment. He has a B.Sc. in Geology from the University of Ilorin and also has one child.
Tope Adebayo
Next on this list is Tope Adebayo. He attended the University of Ilorin and in 2006, graduated as a computer engineer. Like the veteran actor, Tope is also a movie director and is fondly called the family’s official director. He often does the majority of directionals for his family members.
Rilwan Adebayo
He is another of Oga Bello’s children that is making headway in the movie industry. His role is behind the camera; Ridwan is a video editor and reports have it that he does most of the post-production of movies by his family members.
Lai Adebayo
Lai is another son of Oga Bello. He is not into the movie industry like some of his brothers. He is the CEO of trendspotter, a brand general merchandise brand in fashion, property, and cars. He is a graduate of Lagos State University and was once the Student Union Government (SUG) President at the school.
Hammed Adebayo
Hammed Adebayo, also a son of the veteran actor, is a teacher. He works with a Private School in Ijebu-Ode, Ogun State.
Akeem Adebayo
Based in Ilorin, Akeem is one of Oga Bello’s children, he is a fashion designer.
Kunle Adebayo
Kunle is one of the youngest son of Oga Bello. He is a graduate of the University of Ilorin.
There is little information about Adebayo Salami’s daughters. Get to know them with pictures
Titilayo Adebayo Kabir
Adebayo Olushola Kikelomo
Bukola Suliat Ibrahim
Ifeoluwa Arike
Medinat Olagogun Adebayo
Olamide Adebayo Lamina
Laitan Adebayo
Omolara Adebayo
Does Oga Bello have Grandchildren?
Asides from having many children and living to be in his 70s, the actor is blessed with 15 grandchildren. Femi Adebayo produced four of Oga Bello’s grandchildren, their names are Fadlulrahman Adebayo, Olatoun Olarenwaju Adebayo, Fadlullah Adebayo, and Firdaus Niniola Adebayo.
Tope Adebayo and his wife, Bisola Adebayo, have a daughter together. Sadiq and his wife are parents to one of his grand-daughters while the rest of Oga Bello’s grandchildren are spread out amongst his daughters.