Adebayo Salami – Oga Bello
| Stage Name: | Adebayo Salami |
| Real Name: | Adebayo Salami |
| Occupation: | Actor |
| Date Of Birth/Age: | 9th May 1952 (73 years) |
| State of Origin: | Kwara State, Nigeria |
| Gender: | Male |
| Nationality: | Nigerian |
| Marital Status: | Married |
| Education: | Lagos Drama School |
| Known for: | Oga Bello |
Early Life
Adebayo Salami was born on 9 May 1952 (some sources say 1953; most reliable say 1952) in Lagos State, Nigeria. He comes from the town of Pakata Oloje in Ilorin, Kwara State, though he grew up in Lagos
When he was a child, his family lived in Lagos. He attended Ansarudeen Primary School in Oke‑Ejigbo, Lagos, and then went to Adebodun Commercial School for his secondary education. Later, he trained at the Lagos Drama School, which is part of the University of Lagos .
From a young age, Adebayo loved acting and drama.
Educational Background
Here are the schools he attended, in order:
- Ansarudeen Primary School, Oke‑Ejigbo, Lagos – for primary education
- Adebodun Commercial School, Lagos – for secondary education
- Lagos Drama School, affiliated with the University of Lagos – for theatre training
He did not go to a university for academic subjects, but he trained in acting and drama at Lagos Drama School. That training helped him start his career in theatre and movies.
Career
Joining the Young Concert Party
Adebayo began acting when he was just a boy in 1964. He joined a group called the Young Concert Party, which performed shows and dramas in Yoruba language.
Over time, the group changed its name to Ojo Ladipo Theatre Group, after its leader Ojo Ladipo (also known as Baba Mero). Later, it became famous as Awada Kerikeri Theatre Group.
Becoming Leader
In 1978, Ojo Ladipo died. Adebayo Salami took over as the leader of the group. This was a big moment for him and made him famous in the theatre world.
First Films and Nollywood
Adebayo Salami acted in Ajani Ogun, the first Yoruba film. He also appeared in Kadara, produced by Adeyemi Afolayan. He became well-known for playing the character Oga Bello in a TV comedy show called Comedy Half Hour. Because of that role, people started calling him “Oga Bello” as his stage name.
In 1985, he produced his first movie, Ogun Ajaye, under Awada Kerikeri. After that, he directed and produced many other films. He also worked in more than 70 Yoruba movies over many decades.
Industry Leadership
Adebayo helped to start the Association of Nigerian Theatre Arts Practitioners (ANTAP). He even served as its president at one time. He used his experience to help other actors and improve the industry.
Awards and Later Work
In 2014, he received a Best of Nollywood (BON) award for his long years of work in the film industry.
He kept working as an actor, producer, and director for over 50 years. He appeared in recent movies such as Survival of Jelili (2019), Kesari (2018), and Jagun Jagun (2023).
- In Survival of Jelili, he featured alongside Femi Adebayo and other stars.
- In Kesari, he acted with many Nollywood actors including Femi Adebayo and Toyin Abraham.
- In Jagun Jagun (2023), produced by Euphoria360Media, Adebayo Salami also took part. The film won several awards, including Best Indigenous Language Movie (West Africa) and Best Costume Design at the 2024 Africa Magic Viewers’ Choice Awards. It also won awards at the 2024 Africa Movie Academy Awards, and Adebayo’s son Femi won Best Supporting Actor there. Adebayo himself won an Outstanding Male Actor award at the 2024 Abuja International Film Festival (Wikipedia).
Personal Life
Adebayo Salami is married to two wives:
- His first wife, named Alhaja Ejide (or Ayisat Abosede Salami), whom he met in secondary school. They married in 1975 after being friends for many years.
- His second wife, named Omotayo Sanusi (or Muslimat Folasade Salami), whom he married in 2016.
He has eighteen children—nine sons and nine daughters. One of his sons, Femi Adebayo Salami, is also a well-known actor, director, and film producer. Femi has received many awards and is a big name in Yoruba movies too.
Adebayo keeps a low public profile about religion or politics, but he is respected for his dedication to acting and his family.
Controversies
There are no widely publicized controversies connected to Adebayo Salami. The sources focus on his long career, family, and contributions to Nigerian theatre and film, with no records of scandals or conflicts in public view.
Social Media Presence
Adebayo Salami reaches fans online, especially through Instagram. He shares pictures from film sets, travels, and moments with his children. He has gathered over 750,000 followers on Instagram. His posts are usually about filmmaking, family, and encouragement.
His social media helps fans see the person behind the actor and follow his ongoing career.
Net Worth
Adebayo Salami’s net worth is estimated around US $200,000 (about ₦120 million or so at current exchange rates), mainly from his long career in acting, directing, and producing films . This figure comes from biographical profiles and interviews.
Though not extremely wealthy compared to some modern stars, he earns respectable income from over fifty years in the Nigerian film industry. His long experience, film productions, and leadership in the theatre world all added to his income over time.
