Mike Afolarin – Ishaya Bello
| Stage Name: | Mike Afolarin |
| Real Name: | Mike Oladapo Afolarin |
| Occupation: | Actor |
| Date Of Birth/Age: | 1st September, 1993 (32 years old) |
| State of Origin: | Oyo State, Nigeria |
| Gender: | Male |
| Nationality: | Nigerian |
| Marital Status: | Not Married |
| Education: | University of Lagos |
| Known for: | Far From Home |
Early Life
Mike Oladapo Afolarin was born on 1 September 1993 in Lagos State, Nigeria. He spent his early childhood partly in Ibadan, Oyo State, before moving with his family to Ijanikin in Lagos when he was about seven years old.
Growing up between these two major cities—Ibadan and Lagos—exposed him to diverse Nigerian cultures. Even as a child, Mike balanced schoolwork with creative interests, enjoying storytelling, imagination, and visual expression.
Educational Background
Mike attended Federal Government College, Ijanikin, Lagos for his secondary school education. He showed good academic performance and joined school plays during a university strike, which changed his path forever.
After secondary school, Mike studied Economics at the University of Lagos (UNILAG), graduating in 2016 with a Bachelor’s degree. While at university, he explored his creative side through photography, set design, and stage acting.
Career
Start Behind the Scenes
Mike began his entertainment journey around 2013. During a six-month university strike, he auditioned for and played the lead role in a stage play titled Magic Time. Around the same time, he worked behind the camera—directing short films, flying drones for documentaries, designing sets, and providing aerial cinematography for projects like Ajuwaya and the Oyo State investment documentary.
First Film Role
His official on-screen debut came in 2018 with the Nollywood film Kasala! directed by Emeke Nwagbaraocha and Ema Edosio. He played a lead character and impressed critics and viewers for his energy and authenticity.
Big Break: Far From Home
Mike’s major breakthrough arrived in 2022 with Netflix’s Nigerian drama series Far From Home, where he played Ishaya Bello, a talented but troubled teenager from a poor background who wins a place in an elite school. His portrayal was powerful—showing ambition, mistakes, humor, and heart—and it made him famous across Nigeria and beyond.
Cinema Success: Battle on Buka Street
Also in 2022, he featured as Akinzo, a respected youth leader, in the hit comedy Battle on Buka Street, directed by Funke Akindele and Tobi Makinde. The film broke box office records, earning ₦135 million in one day and becoming the second-highest-grossing Nollywood film ever.
Other Works
Over the years, Mike has featured in many notable films and series. These include Your Excellency (2019), Soólè (2021) as Maxwell, Adire (2023), House of Ga’a (2024), Asiri Ade (2024), The Wait, Ajosepo (2024), and the crime thriller Red Circle (2025) where he plays one of the key roles alongside prominent actors like Lateef Adedimeji and Bukky Wright.
Creative and Technical Skills
Mike is more than just an actor—he is also a filmmaker, photographer, set designer, and drone operator. He directed short films such as An Interview Story, and shot drone footage for documentaries and films. He is known for his creative eye in cinematography and photography, often surprising fans with black-and-white portraits of friends and colleagues.
Because of his fashion sense and confident presence, Mike has also appeared on runways for designers like Orange Culture and has become a trendsetter in Nigerian fashion.
Personal Life
Mike keeps his personal life private and does not share much online about his family or relationships. He credits his success to the support of family, friends, and mentors and remains grounded and humble despite being in the spotlight.
He is known for his humility and passion for storytelling. Many younger creatives mention his approach to art as thoughtful and authentic.
ControversiesÂ
Mike Afolarin has maintained a clean public reputation. As of 2025, there are no reported controversies or scandals linked to his name. He is respected for his professionalism and for refusing to engage in unnecessary drama.
Social Media Presence
Mike is active on Instagram and Twitter under the handle @mikeafolarin. He shares content about his acting, photography, and occasional personal insights—but rarely shares private family life. His account had around 370,000 followers by late 2024, and continues to grow.
His social media shows off his creativity, style, and humility. Fans often celebrate his artistry beyond screens—through photography exhibitions, runway moments, and music from A Lagos Love Story soundtrack (where he plays King Kator).
Net Worth
While exact numbers are not public, estimates place Mike Afolarin’s net worth at around US $300,000 to $500,000 by mid‑2025. His income comes from:
- Acting in movies and TV series including Far From Home, Battle on Buka Street, and others
- Brand endorsements and modeling campaigns
- Photography, filmmaking, and occasional directing projects
- Creative side ventures such as set design and drone cinematography.Â
Although not extremely wealthy compared to some bigger Nollywood stars, Mike lives comfortably and invests in his creative growth and community.
Mike Afolarin—once a student actor at UNILAG—is now one of Nigeria’s most exciting creative talents. Through acting, filmmaking, photography, fashion, and storytelling, he continues to push the boundaries of modern Nollywood with humility, passion, and vision.
