By Balogun Kamilu Lekan
Adebayo Salami, famously known as Oga Bello, is a veteran Nigerian Nollywood actor, producer, director, and filmmaker.
Oga Bello, a native of Kwara State, was born on May 9, 1953, in Lagos, where he grew up to started his acting career.
He began his career at 12 when he joined the Young Stars Concert Party. A theatre group which later metamorphosed into Ojo Ladipo Theatre
He made his debut appearance in a movie titled Ajani Ogun and then Kadara with the late Adeyemi Afolayan.
He earned his stage name “Oga Bello” for his role in Comedy Half Hour, a popular Nigerian comedy series.
At the Lagos State Festival of Arts in 1970, Oga Bello took a lead role in a stage play called Ogbon Gbemiga.
The veteran thespian is also a producer with a series of movie production to his name. Some of these include Eru Akata, Ayitale, Ishola oba-orin 1 and 2, Omo Orukan, and Eri Okan
His dexterity also extends to being a director who has directed some significant projects. These include The Monkey Men, Ayitale, Jelili, Apoti orogun, Atanpako meta, Elebute, and Oduduwa.
With more than fifty years of experience in the movie industry and featuring in more than 150 movies, he is undoubtedly one of Nigeria’s wealthiest and most influential actors today.
Adebayo Salami is reportedly a polygamist with two wives, Alhaja Ejide and Omotayo Sanusi and many eighteen children, which are:
- Hammed
- Akeem,
- Femi,
- Kunle Adebayo,
- Layiwola,
- Ridwan,
- Sadiq,
- Tope
- Wale
- Tobi
- Titi
- Olushola Kikelomo
- Omolara Agboola
- Olamide Adebayo Amina
- Bukola Suliat Ibrahim
- Ifeoluwa Arike,
- Medinat Olajogun
- Olaide
Like their Dad, Femi, Sodiq Adebayo and Rilwan Adebayo.are also Nollywood actors.
As a veteran actor, Adebayo Salami has appeared in more than a hundred movies, which is his major source of income. He also diverted some of his fortunes to investment both in the movie industry and outside it,
He also amasses some fortunes from ambassadorial deals for top brands in Nigeria.
His net worth is reportedly estimated at $200,000.
Below is a glimpse of some of his filmography
- Ajulo
- Ti Tabili Bayi
- Yetunde Aya Daddy
- Kori Kosun
- Mallam Musa
- Ile Ajeji
- Oloyun Mewa
- Sijuwade
- WHAT NEXT? (KILOKAN?)
- Sunday Igboho
- Obi-Kolanut
- Odajo Omo
- Adeife
- Labe Orun
- Oju Okun
- Opo
- Eru Jeje
- Asabi Alabe
- Alhaji Chicago
- Gbewiri Meta
- Adehun Olorun
- Akorin Ola
