In this article, I will discuss ten Nigerian celebrities who are actual legal practitioners (Lawyers) but chose to pursue a career in the entertainment business. Some have forgotten what they learned in school, while others continue to practice law in court, and others use their entertainment platform to combat injustice, human rights abuse, and corrupt politicians. So as not to squander too much of your time, I will list 10 Nigerian celebrities who are actual legal practitioners (Lawyers).
1. Kanayo O. Kanayo
Kanayo O., also known as Anayo Modestus Onyekwere, is a veteran Nollywood actor and United Nations ambassador who became a lawyer at age 58. "Family Battle" earned him the 2006 African Movie Academy Award for Best Actor in a Leading Role for his performance. On September 15, 2020, Kanayo O. Kanayo surprised his admirers with the exciting news that he had been admitted to the bar. The accomplished Nollywood actor stated that obtaining a law degree had always been his lifelong goal. He is a graduate of the University of Abuja's Law program. In 2018, he graduated from college. He also graduated from Abuja Law School in 2020 and was admitted to the bar in 2021.
2. Kenneth Okonkwo
Kenneth Okonkwo is a veteran Nollywood actor best known for his leading character in the film "Living in Bondage" as Andy Okeke. He is a well-known actor, producer, politician, entrepreneur, and television personality in Nollywood. Kenneth Okonkwo obtained a Bachelor of Business Administration from the University of Nigeria Nsukka and a Master of International Law and Diplomacy from the University of Lagos. He then attended law school in Abuja before being admitted to the bar.
Richard Mofe Damijo III
Richard Mofe-Damijo, also known as RMD, is a veteran Nollywood actor, writer, and producer, as well as a former Delta State commissioner of culture and tourism. RMD earned his Bachelor of Arts in Theatre from the University of Benin in Edo state. After leaving an indelible mark on the industry of make-believe as an actor, RMD returned to the University of Lagos in 1997 to acquire a degree in Law, fulfilling his mother's lifelong desire for him to become a Lawyer. He then attended law school in Abuja and was admitted to the Bar as an attorney.
4. Ebuka Obi-Uchendu
In the Nigerian entertainment industry, Ebuka Obi Uchendu has been a formidable force. As a television personality, Ebuka is best known for hosting the popular reality program Big Brother Naija, as well as Men's Corner on Channels TV and Ebony live TV. He hosts a legal program on Africa Magic Family in which he rules on Nigerian local matters. He obtained a bachelor's degree in law from the University of Abuja, attended Nigerian Law School in Abuja, and was admitted to the bar in 2005. After working for five years, he returned to school and graduated in December 2010 from the Washington College of Law at the American University in Washington, DC, United States of America, with a Master of Law degree and specializations in Intellectual Property and Communications law from the Law and Government program. In 2006, he rose to prominence as a contestant on the reality television series Big Brother Naija's first edition.
5. Falz
Folarin Falana, better known by his stage name Falz, is a rapper, songwriter, actor, and human rights activist from Nigeria. Both of Falz's parents are well-known attorneys in Lagos State. He is the son of the legendary attorney, social commentator, and SAN, Femi Falana. Falz studied law in college, attended law school, and was admitted to the bar, but he left the legal profession to concentrate on music, using it as a platform to speak out against injustice and corruption in Nigeria. Falz studied law at Reading University in England. Falz was admitted to the bar in 2021, having matriculated from the Nigerian Law School in Abuja with an L.L.B Honors Degree in Law. Falz labored for a time in his father's office before pursuing his dream as an entertainer. Today, Falz's entertainment tentacles encompass acting and comedy.
6. Funke Akindele
Olufunke Ayotunde Akindele, also known as Funke Akindele or Jenifa, is an actress and film producer in the Nigerian film industry. The well-known actress and filmmaker obtained her Ordinary National Diploma (OND) in Mass Communication from the former Ogun State Polytechnic, which is now known as Moshood Abiola Polytechnic. Later, she attended the University of Lagos to pursue law and graduated among the top students. She subsequently attended law school in Abuja and was admitted to the bar. However, she decided to leave the legal field to pursue a career in entertainment, which led her to Nollywood. As an adolescent in the early 1990s, she made her first dramatic television appearance in "I Need to Know." She is the creator of the popular television programs Jenifa's Diary and My Siblings and I. She ran unsuccessfully for Deputy Governor of Lagos state in 2023.
7. Femi Adebayo
Femi Adebayo is a Nollywood actor, director, producer, television personality, attorney, and special adviser on Arts, Culture, and Tourism to the Governor of Kwara State. He is the son of Otunba Adebayo Salami, a veteran Nollywood actor. He is also the proprietor of an art school in Ibadan. Prior to enrolling in college, he began acting while still in secondary school. Femi Adebayo attended the University of Ilorin and earned a Bachelor of Law degree. In addition, he earned a master's in law from the University of Ibadan. After completing law school in Abuja, he was admitted to the Bar. After graduating from law school, Femi Adebayo specialized in estate and property law for several years before entering the Nigerian film industry, also known as Nollywood. Femi Adebayo is among the active Yoruba film producers.
8. Omawumi Megbele
Omawumi Megbele is a vocalist, songwriter, recording artist, and actress from Nigeria. In 2005, she matriculated from Ambrose Ali University, Ekpoma in the state of Edo with a bachelor's degree in law. She later attended law school in Abuja and was admitted to the bar as an attorney. After completing law school, Omawumi briefly worked at her brother's law firm, O.S. Megbele & Associates, before competing in the 2007 Nigerian Idols West Africa competition. Omawumi embraced entertainment through her participation in Nigerian Idols West African, where she placed second, and she has embraced music ever since, abandoning her hairstyles and gowns as a lawyer.
9. Lepacious Bose
Bose Ogunboye, also known as Lepacious Bose, is a Nigerian actress, comedienne, and entertainer best known for her role as Madam K in the Nigerian television series The Johnsons. She had always wanted to be an actress since she was small, so she studied Theatre art at the University of Ibadan against her father's wishes. Few years after graduation, she returned to school to study law so as to remain in the good graces of her father, whom she refers to as her idol. She was admitted to the bar in 2010 as an attorney. Lepidopterous Bose abandoned his position as a legal eminence to pursue a career in the entertainment industry. Her stage name, Lepacious Bose, is a contradiction of her former stature, as she was extremely tall. However, this moniker has proven to be quite successful for her.
10. Omotunde Adebowale
Omotunde Adebowale, also known as Lolo1, is a Nigerian radio host and Nollywood actress. She hosted the popular Pidgin English radio program 'Oga Madam' on Wazobia FM 94.1 until 2019, when she departed and joined Lasgidi FM as general manager and on-air personality. She graduated from Lagos State University, Ojo with a degree in Law. She later attended law school in Abuja and was admitted to the bar as an attorney. Before becoming an on-air personality, she was a practicing attorney for three years.
Austine Ikeru is a Journalist, an Expert Blogger, a YouTuber, an Entrepreneur, and the Chief Executive Officer of Austine Media. You can follow him on Twitter, Facebook, and Instagram
