Umar Gombe

Umar Sani Labaran (born 5 April 1983), also known as Umar Gombe, is a Nigerian actor, filmmaker, and Film director who has appeared in over a hundred movies as well as a number of television and comedy shows. Gombe is the first program manager for Northflix, a Hausa movie streaming app. He has appeared in films, television shows, radio shows, and comedy shows. He has been nominated for best supporting actor several times and has won several other awards.

Early life and education Gombe was born into the Kano family on 5 April 1983, in Gombe State, Nigeria. He is the son of Malam Sani Labaran, a farmer, elder statesman and member of the Arewa Consultative Forum. From 1986 to 1998, he attended nursery, primary, and secondary schools in Gombe State, then part of Bauchi State. He continued his education at Bayero University Kano and New World Professional Computer Institute, where he earned diplomas in public administration and in data processing and information technology respectively. Gombe has a bachelor of science in information technology and business information systems from Middlesex University, Dubai, and later enrolled in an MBA program at Nigeria's National Open University.

In 2014, Gombe participated in a film training program at the Asian Academy of Film and Television, Noida in India, a United Nations Program, alongside other Kannywood actors such as Falalu A Dorayi, Ali Nuhu, Ishaq Sidi Ishaq and Ibrahim Mandawari.

Acting career Gombe made his debut in Hausa films in 2001 with Shaida, eventually becoming a leading actor in Fasaha Films before moving on to ISI Films, which was founded by renowned filmmaker Ishaq Sidi Ishaq, and later Kumbo Productions, which produced the blockbuster film Sanafahna, which was shot in Nigeria and in Niger. He appeared in several Kumbo Productions films, including Armala, Noor, and Sanafahna.

Gombe rose to prominence after appearing in Netflix's Nollywood English film, Tenant of the House, directed by Kunle Afolayan and Adieu Salut, as well as other Hausa films such as Kwalla, Lambar Girma, Noor, Lissafi, Iko, and In Zaki So Ni. With roles in films such as Lissafi, Noor, Mati A Zazzau, Kishiyata, Fati, Wakili, Hauwa Kulu, and the television series Gidan Badamasi, Umar has established himself as one of Kannywood's most talented and versatile actors. He also had a significant role in the award-winning Dadin Kowa television series, which was the first Hausa language series to air on Arewa24. Umar also featured in the Nigerian family magazine show, Ongacious season 2.

Gombe was appointed caretaker chairman of the Motion Pictures Practitioners Association of Nigeria in 2021, and later became the body's national assistant secretary following its election in 2022.

Filmography

Gombe made his film debut in the 2001 drama film Shaida, which helped him rise to fame and gain public recognition from many in the industry, which later helped him gain recognition and begin appearing in upcoming Hausa movies. In 2014, he made his television debut in the award-winning drama series Dadin Kowa on Arewa24, followed by a starring role in Netflix Kunle Afolayan's Tenants of the House, a film about conspiracy, dangerous romance, and girl-child education. In 2022, he made his first major appearance in Falalu Dorayi's award-winning controversial comedy television series Gidan Badamasi on Arewa24.

Gombe rose to prominence after appearing in both Gidan Badamasi and Noor, a film about surrogacy to address social issues, directed by Faika Ibrahim Rahi, an award-winning female director.

Film +Key Denotes films that have not yet been released Year Title Role Genre Note 2001 Shaida Actor Drama 2001 Haske Actor Drama 2002 Duhun Damunai Actor Drama 2002 Kwalla Actor Drama 2003 Sansani Actor Drama 2004 Ambaliya Actor Drama 2004 Tutar So Actor Drama 2005 Jarida Actor Drama 2006 Takbir Actor Drama 2006 Lada Actor Drama 2007 Attajira Actor Drama 2007 Nauyi Actor Drama 2008 Iko Actor Drama 2008 Budurwa Actor Drama 2008 Jari Hujja Actor/Writer Drama 2009 Wasila Actor Drama 2009 Wasila (English) Actor Drama 2009 Lissafi Actor Drama 2009 Kusuwar Danga Actor Drama 2010 Wa'azi Actor Drama 2010 Bakar Ashana Actor/Writer Thriller 2010 Fati Actor Drama 2010 Sanafahna 2 Actor Drama 2010 Ruwan Dare Actor Drama 2010 Sauyin Lamari Actor Drama 2011 Balele Actor Drama 2011 In Zaki Soni Actor Drama 2011 Noor Actor/Producer Drama 2014 Aci Bulus Actor (Imran) Drama 2014 Armala Actor/Producer Drama 2014 Makuwa Actor Drama 2015 Soyayaya Da Tsakuwa Actor Drama 2017 Samari Actor Drama 2018 Ni Da Kai Da Shi Actor Drama 2019 Tenant Of The House Actor (John) Drama 2019 Gargadi Actor/Producer Drama Short film 2020 Mati A Zazzau Actor (Garba) Comedy/Drama 2021 Hauwa Kulu Actor Drama 2021 Wakili Actor Comedy/Drama 2021 Ameer Actor Action/Drama Short film 2022 Tsayin Daka Actor Drama 2022 Maimunatu Actor Drama 2022 Halima’s Choice Actor SciFi

Television Year Title Role Genre Notes 2014 Dadin Kowa Actor Drama Series regular (13 episodes) 2018 Yan Birni (Makewayi) Actor Drama A film powered by UNICEF 2019 Yan Zamani Actor Comedy/Drama 2021 Gidan Danger Actor Drama Series regular (13 episodes) 2021 Bugun Zuciya Actor Drama 2021 Yan Tagwaye Producer Drama 2022 Gidan Badamasi Actor (Abduljalal) Comedy/Drama Series regular (13 episodes) 2022 Kishiyata Actor Drama 2022 Sawun Giwa Actor Drama 2022 Nasaba Actor/Producer Drama

Voice Over Year Title Role Genre Notes 2010 Ruwan Dare Actor (Ismail) Drama Featured as a voice actor 2021 Madubi Actor Drama Featured as a voice actor