Here are 17 Nigerian celebs you never knew are lawyers in real life
By Eugene Onyeji
1. Kanayo O. Kanayo
Anayo Modestus Onyekwere, popularly known as Kanayo O. Kanayo is a Nigerian veteran actor and United Nations ambassador who became lawyer at the age of 58
In 2006 he won the African Movie Academy Award for Best Actor in a leading role for his performance in the movie “Family Battle”.
On September 15, 2020 Kanayo O. Kanayo surprised fans with the very exciting news that he had been called to the bar.
The 59-year-old actor said it has been his lifetime ambition to go back to school and secure his law degree.
Today, he is a graduate of Law from the University of Abuja in the year 2018. He also finished his Law School at the Abuja Law School located at Bwari, Abuja in the year 2020.
In the announcement dawning his wig and gown, Kanayo O. Kanayo wrote:
“To God be all the Glory. You can now address me as Anayo Modestus Onyekwere, Esq, MFR ( Barrister And Solicitor of the Supreme Court of Nigeria)”
2. Kenneth Okonkwo
Kenneth Okonkwo, popularly known for his role in the movie “Living in Bondage” as Andy Okeke, is a famous Nollywood actor, producer, politician, entrepreneur, and television personality.
Kenneth Okonkwo graduated with a degree in Business Administration from the University of Nigeria Nsukka and later graduated with an MSc in international law and diplomacy from the University of Lagos, Akoka.
He went to Law school in Abuja and was called to the bar as a legal practitioner.
3. Richard Mofe-Damijo (RMD)
Richard Mofe Damijo popularly known as RMD is a talented Nigerian actor, writer, producer, and former commissioner of culture and tourism in Delta State.
RMD had his first degree in Theatre Arts from the University of Benin. After making an indelible impact in the make-believe industry as an actor, RMD went back to the University of Lagos in 1997 to earn a degree in Law to fulfill his mother’s lifelong wish for her son to be a Lawyer.
He was subsequently called to the Nigerian Bar.
4. Tara Fela-Durotoye
Tara Fela-Durotoye is a Nigerian beauty entrepreneur and a lawyer. A pioneer in the bridal makeup profession in Nigeria, she launched the first bridal directory in 1999, set up international standard makeup studios and established the first makeup school in Nigeria.
She started her education at Command High School in Lagos before proceeding to Lagos State University where she graduated with a degree in Law. She was called to the bar and she practiced briefly.
She is the founder and CEO of House of Tara International, a beauty/makeup company.
Read Also: 20 Nollywood actors and actresses who died in 2021
5. Femi Adebayo Salami
Femi Adebayo Salami is a Nigerian lawyer, film actor, director, producer and Special Adviser to the Governor of Kwara State on Arts, Culture and Tourism. He is the son of the veteran actor, Otunba Adebayo Salami.
He is also a proprietor of a school of art located in Ibadan. He had started acting before he went to the university.
Femi Adebayo attended the University of Ilorin where he obtained a Bachelor’s degree in Law. He also earned a master’s degree in law at the University of Ibadan.
After graduation, Femi practiced law for some years specializing in estate and property law before acting got a better part of him.
Femi is a toast of movie producers in the Yoruba movie genre.
6. Funke Akindele
Akindele-Bello Olufunke Ayotunde, popularly known, as Funke Akindele or Jenifa is a Nigerian film actress and producer.
The popular actress and film-maker first obtained an Ordinary National Diploma (OND) in Mass Communication from the former Ogun State Polytechnic, now known as Moshood Abiola Polytechnic.
She later went to the University of Lagos to study Law but before she was done in the university, entertainment has eaten deep into her.
Her first appearance on television drama was in ‘I Need to Know’ as a teenager.
7. Kelechi Amadi-Obi
Kelechi Amadi-Obi is a Nigerian creative photographer, painter, artist and the publisher of Mania Magazine.
Kelechi Amadi-Obi was born in Owerri, Imo State to the family of Justice Sylvester Amadi-Obi, a high court judge, and Mrs Theresa Amadi-Obi, an educationist.
He obtained his law degree in 1992 from the University of Nigeria, Nsukka and was called to the Nigerian Bar in 1994.
While on campus, he floated a small company which he named De-Zulu.
8. Kemi Adetiba
Kemi Adetiba is a Nigerian filmmaker, television director and music video director. She holds a bachelor’s degree in law from the University of Lagos.
Kemi started out professionally as a radio presenter with Rhythm 93.7 FM, where she became the voice behind two nationally syndicated hit shows: Soul’d Out and Sunday at the Seaside.
After discovering her interest in entertainment, TV host and music video director, Kemi Adetiba, went on to study Film Making in New York Film Academy.
Kemi is the brain behind several great music videos on Channel O, MTV Base, Soundcity TV, BET and Netflix.
9. Ebuka Obi-Uchendu
Ebuka Obi Uchendu has been a force to reckon with in the Nigeria entertainment industry. As a Tv personality, Ebuka is best known for hosting the popular reality show, Big Brother Naija, Rubbing Minds on Channels TV as well as Men’s Corner or Ebony live Tv.
He holds a bachelor’s degree in law from the University of Abuja and proceeded to the Nigerian Law School Bwari, Abuja finishing in 2005.
He then returned to school after a 5-year working gap, graduating in December 2010 from the Washington College of Law of the American University Washington DC, with Master of Law degree specializations in Intellectual Property as well as Communications law from the Law and Government program.
Ebuka came into public consciousness as contestant on the reality television show Big Brother Nigeria in 2006 and has never left the public glare since then.
10. Folake Akindele-Coker
Folake Akindele-Coker is a Nigerian fashion designer and creative director of Tiffany Amber. She is the beautiful daughter of Ibadan billionaire, Chief Akindele.
Folake Akindele-Coker is a qualified lawyer, after her education in Switzerland and the United Kingdom, She earned a postgraduate degree in petroleum law and returned to Nigeria to pursue her fashion interests.
Folake Coker recognised her passion for fashion and traded her wig and gown for scissors and tapes establishing her luxury line Tiffany Amber as far back as 1998.
11. Omotunde Adebowale David
Omotunde Adebowale David, popularly known as Lolo1, is a Nollywood actress, and a Nigerian radio presenter.
She hosted the popular Pidgin English speaking radio programme, ‘Oga Madam’ on Wazobia FM 94.1, till 2019 when she left and joined Lasgidi FM as the general manager and an on-air personality.
She is a graduate of Lagos State University, Ojo where she studied Law.
She practiced the law profession for three years before she left her wig and gown to be an on-air-personality.
12. Lisa Folawiyo
Lisa Folawiyo is the creative Director of Jewel by Lisa and originator of embellished Ankara prints.
Lisa attended the University of Lagos where she obtained a Law degree.
She established Jewel by Lisa in 2005 and quickly became a force to reckon with as her creative style captured the attention of the international fashion world.
Jewel by Lisa has been rocked by celebrities like Solange Knowles, Kendal Jenner and Catt Sandler of E! etc.
She has showrooms in Nigeria and in New York.
13. Omawumi Megbele
Omawumi Megbele is a Nigerian singer-songwriter and actress.
Omawumi graduated from the Ambrose Ali University, Ekpoma, Edo state where she studied law in 2005.
She worked briefly at her brother’s law firm, O.S Megbele and Associates before she contested for the Idols West Africa in 2007.
Omawumi embraced entertainment through her participation in West African Idols where she emerged as the first runner up and ever since she has embraced music forgetting her wigs and gown.
14. Funke Bucknor-Obruthe
Funke Bucknor-Obruthe is a Nigerian entrepreneur and lawyer. She is the founder and CEO of Zapphaire Events and is regarded as one of Nigeria’s pioneering event planners.
Despite having a musician father, Funke Bucknor-Obruthe studied Law at the University of Lagos but knew her heart lay elsewhere.
Funke worked very briefly with St Matthew Daniel and Balogun law firm after her graduation before she pioneered events coordinating company, Zapphaire Events.
15. Anthonia Yetunde Alabi aka Sasha P
Sasha P, also known as the First Lady of Nigerian Hip Hop, is a Nigerian rapper, musician, businesswoman, lawyer and motivational speaker.
Nigeria female rapper, Sasha P, is a graduate of Law from the University of Lagos. In 2012, Sasha P was the Olympic torchbearer for Nigeria.
She has also delved into fashion design. She is the most decorated Nigerian female rapper in history.
16. Falz
Folarin Falana better known by his stage name Falz, is a Nigerian rapper, songwriter and actor.
Falz’s parents are both well-known lawyers in Lagos State. He is the son of erudite lawyer and social commentator, Femi Falana.
For somebody like Falz many were taken aback when he abandoned Law for entertainment.
Falz studied law at the University of Reading, England. Having graduated with an L.L.B Honors Degree in Law, Falz was called to bar in 2021 after graduating from Nigerian Law School in Abuja.
Falz worked in his father’s chambers for a while before following his dream as an entertainer.
Today, Falz has spread his entertainment tentacle to acting.
17. Lepacious Bose
Bose Ogunboye popularly known as Lepacious Bose is a Nigerian Comedienne, actress, and an entertainer.
When she was young, she had always dreamed of being an actress so she studied Theatre art in the University of Ibadan against her father’s will.
Some years after graduation, she went back to study law in order to be on her father’s good book who she refers to as her hero. She was called to bar in 2010.
Bose Osayemi abandoned the sobriety of the law profession for the excitement of the entertainment industry.
Her stage name, Lepacious Bose is a contradiction of her former stature but it has really worked for her.
