By Balogun Kamilu Lekan
Biography
Taiwo Ajai-Lycett is an actor, writer, journalist, director, producer, cosmetologist, educationist, television presenter, and communication consultant.
She was born as a set of twin girls on February 3, 1941. Taiwo is 81 years as of 2022
The veteran actor served as Africa Woman magazine’s founding editor in the 1970s.
Education
Taiwo had her education at Mt. Carmel Convent School, Lagos, before heading to Methodist Girls’ High School, Lagos, to complete her secondary education.
She obtained a certification in cosmetology at the Christine Shaw School of Beauty Science in London.
Additionally, she possesses a Higher National Diploma in Business Studies from Hendon College of Technology.
Career
Before moving on to the Post Office and eventually advertising, Taiwo worked as a student waitress at Lyons Tea Shop. She started as a personal secretary for the Post Office in 1962 before rising through the rank to become a senior secretary in Lord Hall’s office. She later made the switch to advertising and worked in Young and Rubicam’s personnel department before becoming the personal assistant to the managing partner of the accounting firm Gresham Broad and Co.
Acting Career
In December 1966, at London’s Royal Court Theatre, Taiwo made her acting debut in Wole Soyinka’s two-act comedy The Lion and the Jewel, directed by William Gaskill. Gaskill encouraged her to participate while she was in the rehearsal space for the play; her acting debut was not planned.
After receiving encouragement for her performance and subsequent invitations from producers, she decided to pursue acting professionally. The Guildhall School of Music and Drama accepted her enrollment.
In 1972, Taiwo joined the Traverse Theatre Group after quitting her corporate job to attend the Edinburgh Festival. Later, she made numerous stage and television appearances.
In 1973, she performed in “Life Everlasting” by Amadu Maddy at the Africa Centre in London. Later that same year, Taiwo appeared in “The National Health” by Peter Nichols at the Festival of British Theatre.
She portrayed the lead role in Yemi Ajibade’s “Parcel Post” at the Royal Court Theatre in 1976. With Louis Mahoney and the writer Mike Phillips, Taiwo served as director for the Black Theatre Workshop in London.
She has acted in a number of well-known Nigerian films, including the renowned soap opera Tinsel.
The Nigerian movie Oloibiri, which depicts how government agencies and oil companies used the recently discovered oil in the historic town of Oloibiri, also features Ajai-Lycett.
In 1975, Ajai-Lycett received a request to collaborate with Raph Uwechue’s Africa Magazine. She later rose to the position of the first editor of Africa Woman Magazine, a magazine for women from Africa who are expatriates. As an editor, she participated in the UN’s International Women’s Year.
In 2022, Taiwo portrayed Madam Taiwo in the blockbuster movie Elesin Oba.
Marriage
She was married to the late Thomas Aldridge Lycett
Net worth
NewsWireNgr cannot independently verify Taiwo Ajai-Lycett’s bet worth
Achievements
Filmography
- Elesin Oba: The King’s Horseman
- Madam President
- Oloibiri
- Dazzling Mirage
- Hostages
TV Series
- King of Boys: The Return of the King
- Crown Court
- Angels
- Comedy Playhouse
- Some Mothers Do ‘Ave ‘Em
- Armchair 30
- Black and Blue
Stage Performance
- The Lion and the Jewel
- Murderous Angels
- The Refusal
- Life Everlasting
- The National Health
- The Black & White Minstrels
- Parcel Post
Awards and Honours
- Eko Film and TV Awards.
- OON (Officer of the Order of the Niger)
- The Industry Merit Award
Disclaimer
The information in this article was curated from online sources. NewsWireNGR or its editorial team cannot independently verify all details.
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