Mr Macaroni

Adebowale Babatunde "Debo" Adedayo (born 3 May 1993), popularly known by his stage name Mr Macaroni, is a Nigerian actor, comedian, and activist. He was the second highest-grossing Nollywood actor of 2025. he is known for his satirical content and roles in films like Ayinla, Aníkúlápó (2022), Freedom Way (2024), and Lisabi: The Uprising (2024). He won the TFAA Prize For Acting in 2025, and was nominated for Best Supporting Actor at the AMVCAs in the same year for his performance in the Netflix film, Lisabi: The Uprising. He premiered two films at TIFF in 2024, and won Best Supporting Actor, Africa ,at TINFF. Debo has made multiple appearances on YNAIJA & Ebonylife’s annual list of The Nollywood 100, and is the recipient of two honorary doctorates awarded him in 2023.

Adedayo first gained popularity in 2019 from his satirical skits on social media, playing characters such as the philandering political figure "Daddy Wa" and a strict lecturer, "Professor Hard Life". He popularized catchphrases like "Ooin", "Freaky freaky" and "You are doing well".

He is an advocate for social and civic empowerment, and most notably was involved in the 2020 #EndSARS movement in Nigeria, when he himself was a victim of police brutality.

Since then, Adedayo has increasingly used his platform to champion social causes and frequently combines humour with civic education in his skits. In 2022 and 2023, he won the Trendupp Awards' Force of Influence award given to the "influencer or content creator who commanded the highest influence in the Nigerian social media space".

Early life & education An indigene of Ogun State, Adebowale Babatunde Adedayo was born in Ogudu, Lagos into an upper-middle-class Islamic and Christian family of The publisher of Alaroye, Musa Alao Adedayo, on May 3, 1993. He grew up in Magodo area of Lagos where he attended Tendercare International Nursery. He went to primary school in Ojota, Ogudu and later attended Babcock University High School, where he was head boy. Debo was forced to leave Lead City University due to accreditation issues after gaining admission to study law in 2009, same as in 2011 at the Houdegbe North American University Cotonou in the Republic of Benin.

Upon leaving Cotonou, Adedayo decided to discontinue his education and pursue a career in acting. In 2012, he trained to be a professional actor at the PEFTI Film Institute. After being featured in a few film and television roles, his parents convinced him to resume his education. He began studying Theatre Arts at Afe Babalola University before switching to Redeemer's University Nigeria in 2013 where he earned a degree in Theatre Arts and Film Studies in 2018. Debo announced in 2025 that he had completed the course Advanced Acting for Camera at the Royal Academy of Dramatic Art, UK.

Career

Content creation Adedayo started as an actor in Nollywood before creating comedy videos. In an interview with Punch Nigeria, he said that he had been an actor for a long time, appearing in films and soap operas. He has played the role of a sugar daddy. In an interview with the Nigerian Tribune, he said he chose the role because it represents a significant proportion of men who cannot control themselves.

His satirical skits highlight social and political issues such as bad governance, civic responsibility, and human rights. He typically plays the role of a sugar daddy politician known as "Daddy Wa" or a strict lecturer known as "Professor Hardlife".

Adedayo, in an interview with Punch Nigeria, said he knew he had a flair for comedy when he would mimic Pastor Chris Oyakhilome and everyone would laugh.

Acting

After gaining prominence as a comedian, Adedayo debuted on the big screen in March 2021, starring in Ponzi, a comedy film directed by Kayode Kasum, and later in the Ayinla Omowura biopic Ayinla, released in June, ending the year among the top 10 highest-grossing Nollywood actors. He next appeared as Adura in the Jade Osiberu-produced crime drama thriller Brotherhood, and as Akanji in Netflix's Aníkúlápó. Both films were released in September 2022.

In 2023, he portrayed the character Moyale in the Netflix original Yoruba epic film Jagun Jagun, directed by Femi Adebayo. He played Wemimo in Gangs of Lagos, The latter earned him a Best Actor nomination at the 2024 Best of Nollywood (BON) Awards.

He returned to Netflix in January 2024, starring in his third Yoruba epic film, Lisabi: The Uprising, based on the 18th-century Lisabi Rebellion of Abeokuta. The film received 10 nominations at the 2025 Africa Magic Viewers' Choice Awards (AMVCA), including Best Supporting Actor for Adedayo.

In September 2024, he appeared in two films that premiered at the Toronto International Film Festival: The Legend of the Vagabond Queen of Lagos and Freedom Way. and described by Variety as a film that juggles many intertwining narratives. Both films were also selected as festival entries at the Red Sea International Film Festival in Saudi Arabia. He appeared alongside Bukky Wright, Lateef Adedimeji, Timini Egbuson, and Tobi Bakre in Red Circle in June 2025. In December, he appeared in Funke Akindele's film Behind The Scenes, which became Nollywood's highest-grossing film of all time, earning over ₦2 billion at the box office. He ended the year as the second highest-grossing Nigerian actor, behind Behind The Scenes co-star Tobi Bakre.

Hosting Alongside Kie Kie, Debo served as the official co-host of Nigerian Afrobeats star Davido's Timeless concert in April 2023. He also hosted Vibes on the Beach featuring Wizkid, Tu Baba, Timaya, and more in December 2022. Debo and Tana Adelana served as official hosts of the 12th edition of the Best of Nollywood Awards in December 2020. Also, with Kie Kie, he co-hosted the Supremacy Concert in October 2024.

Recognition and accolades

While a student at Redeemer's University, Adedayo served as President of the Student Association.

In 2023, he received two honorary doctorates: Doctor of Creative Writing, Honoris Causa, from Precious Cornerstone University, Nigeria, and Doctor of Arts, Honoris Causa, from Hill City University, Benin Republic.

He won Best Supporting Actor at the 2024 Toronto International Nigerian Film Festival for his performance in Survivors.

In November 2025, he won The Future Awards Africa Prize for Acting, having previously won the Prize for Content Creation in 2020. He was also nominated for Best Supporting Actor at the 2025 Africa Magic Viewers' Choice Awards (AMVCA) for his performance in Lisabi: The Uprising.

Impact and Legacy

Entertainment Through his platform Mr Macaroni Entertainment Debo has given many young talents opportunities in the content creation industry. He helped launch and amplify the careers of Akorede Ajayi (The Korexx), BaeU, and Kemi Ikuusedun (Kemz Mama) by giving them a platform and introducing them to a much bigger audience. He has been noted for featuring Nollywood veterans such as Pete Edochie in skit-based content. His skits have also featured Nollywood veterans including Jim Iyke, Bimbo Ademoye, Lateef Adedimeji, Sola Sobowale, Patience Ozokwor, Shaffy Bello, Mercy Johnson, Chiwetalu Agu, and contemporary artists and media personalities like Falz, Mr. P, Zubby Michael, Frank Edoho, Taooma, Oga Sabinus (Mr. Funny), Kie Kie, Remote, Broda Shaggi, and Adeyeye Enitan Ogunwusi. He has also featured industry and traditional leaders like Tony Elumelu, Obi Cubana, and the Ooni of Ife.

Activism

Debo is known for his activism, using his platforms to sensitize and advocate for youth empowerment, good governance, police accountability and civic rights and responsibilities. He often collaborates with civic organizations like Yiaga Africa for the Youth Vote Count campaign and SERAP for the My Data My Right campaign. He joined the democracy day protest in June 2021, and advocated against youth extortion by the police in October 2021. He encouraged youths to vote in the 2023 Nigerian elections. Most of his skits have been aimed at criticizing Nigerian politicians. He spoke out against several Nigerian politicians including Lagos State governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu, and in defence of Nigerian journalist Seun Okinbaloye after the minister of the Federal Capital Territory Nyesom Wike threatened to shoot him in March 2026. In 2023, he advocated for the release of detained protesters arrested and detained since October 2020.

Philanthropy Debo has often been praised for his charitable efforts, donating sums of money to several organizations and individuals. In June 2022, he donated his PJPA-winning cash prize of $1000 for the People Newsmaker for Justice to Connect Hub NG to "support their selfless work in advocating against state violence in Nigeria". In October 2024, he partnered with Lagos Food Bank to donate food to families in low cost communities.

He donated N500,000 to the family of Jumoke Oyeleke, who was killed by a stray police bullet. He also donated N500,000 to his alma matta the PEFTI Film Institute.

EndSARS Adedayo has been active in the End SARS movement.

On Saturday, 13 February 2021, police arrested him at Lekki Toll Gate during the #OccupyLekkiTollgate protest.

In February 2021, upon learning that the government intended to resume tolling at the toll gate, protests resumed once again under the #OccupyLekkiTollGate movement. Adedayo and numerous other protestors were arrested and savagely brutalized by the Nigerian police till public outcry forced their release.

He was subsequently picked up among 49 other protesters and arrested for defying the Lagos State directive against the protest. The protesters have since been granted N100,000 bail each and arraigned on charges bordering on flouting the COVID-19 protocol on public gatherings and ‘breaking an order not to protest’.

In October 2021, on the 1-year anniversary of the Lekki massacre, key #EndSARS figures, including Debo, Folarin “Falz” Falana, and others, led a successful drive-by event at the toll gate in memory of the massacre victims.

In November 2021, the Lagos State Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu invited key #EndSARS figures and stakeholders to participate in a peace walk. His offer was vehemently rejected by Adedayo, who instead urged the government to implement the findings of the panel that investigated the Lekki massacre.

Alongside Nigerian rapper Falz, he led the second memorial at the Lekki tollgate in October 2022, and also the 3rd walk in 2023.

Endorsements Debo has partnered with several top and local brands, including Goldberg, Mikano, SERAP and more. In 2020, he signed on as a brand ambassador for 1960Bet. He teamed up with Goldberg alongside top Nollywood actor Odunlade Adekola and Dj Kaywise in September 2021 to celebrate Omoluabi Day with the launch of a commercial coinciding with the celebration of the inaugural edition of Goldberg Omoluabi Day at the palace of The Ooni of Ife, Oba Adeyeye Enitan Ogunwusi.

In December 2023, Debo announced that he had signed a new deal with Mikano Motors after winning The Force of Influence Award at The TrendUpp Awards alongside a brand new car. The endorement was renewed in 2025. In October 2022, DrinksNG signed Debo on a one-year partnership to help relaunch its pre-drinks platform "Meet Me At The Liquor Store".

Filmography

Movies Directed by Jadesola Osiberu Ran Mi Lowo (Help Me)SulaimanThrillerWorld FamousBolajiDramaLockdown LoveRomanceJagun JagunMoyaleDrama / History Directed by Tope Adebayo and Adebayo Tijani Késárí: The KingInternetAction / FantasySmall TalkBaba DeeComedy Directed by Biodun Stephen OnyeegwuProphetComedy / Drama Directed by Uche Jombo & Jorome Weber I Hate It HereProfessor PowerDrama / Short Directed by Funke Akindele, Uche Mordi & Collins Okoh

TV series Title Role References Okirika Alaga Ile Alayo Sweet Daddy Flatmates AK 47 The Johnsons Customer Super Story (Donaldo)Casper Far From HomeDapo Dollars OloladeAlagba

Awards and nominations