Wale Ojo

Wale Ojo is a British Nigerian actor, director, and producer. He started as a child actor in television before transitioning to acting roles in the UK and Nigeria. He came into prominence in 1995 for his role in The Hard Case, Guy Ritchie's debut short film, and has since continued acting in film, television, and theater. He won the award for Best Actor at the 2012 Nigeria Entertainment Awards for his leading role in Phone Swap.

Early life and education Ojo started acting professionally as a child. At the age of 8, he worked with Akin Lewis, who played a barber on the NTA Ibadan 1980s television series Why Worry. At age 12, he moved with his family to England, where he also attended university.

Ojo credits his career to the influence of his mother, who was an actress and supportive of his career, as well as Chief Wale Ogunyemi, Tunji Oyelana, playwright Wole Soyinka, and Zulu Sofola.

Filmography

Films YearTitle Role Notes 1995 The Hard Case The gambler Short film 1999 Rage Pin Ojo's first feature film debut. He plays a schizophrenic gangster. 2011 Johnny English Reborn President Chambal 2011 The GuardDoctor Oleyuwo Irish buddy film starring Brendan Gleeson, Don Cheadle. 2012 Phone Swap Akin Also featured Nse Ikpe Etim, Joke Silva, Chika Okpala, Lydia Forson and Hafeez Oyetoro. This was Ojo's first feature film in Nigeria. 2012 Big Man 2013 Half of a Yellow Sun Chief Okonji Historical film featuring Chiwetel Ejiofor, Thandie Newton, Onyeka Onwenu, Anika Noni Rose, Joseph Mawle, Genevieve Nnaji, OC Ukeje and John Boyega. 2014 A Letter from Adam Adam Romance starring Lydia Forson (who also wrote the screenplay), Naa Ashokor Mensah Doku, Akorfa Edjeani, Albert Jackson, Fred Kanebi, Jeff Kumordzie and Louie Lartey. 2014 Render to Caesar Pade Crime thriller also featuring Gbenga Akinnagbe, Omoni Oboli and Bimbo Manuel 2014 When Love Happens Oladele Laguda Romantic comedy featuring Weruche Opia as Moduroti (Mo) Bankole-Smith 2015 8 Bars and a Clef Felix Mensah Film about a musically gifted recording artist dealing with dyslexia. 2015 Fifty Kunle Stars Iretiola Doyle, Nse Ikpe-Etim, Dakore Egbuson 2016 Ayamma: Music in the Forest Prince Daraima Directed by Chris Eneaji Eneng. Also starring Moses Armstrong, Theresa Edem, Smart Edikan 2016 Betrayal Funbi Written and directed by Darasen Richards. Also starring David Jones David and Theresa Edem. 2016 The CEO Kola Alabi 2016 Ojukokoro Mad Dog Max This crime film is also known as Ojukokoro: Greed and includes an ensemble cast. 2016 White Colour Black Monsiour Dabo Also starring Dudley O’Shaughnessy as the main character. 2017 Alter Ego Timothy Also starring Ayenuro Ademola, Rahila Ahmed, Abiola Atande 2017 Sand Castle Ayade Also starring Mary Uranta and Sylvia Edem. 2018 Disguise Theophilus Vaughn Also starring Toyin Abraham, Faith Adibe, Daniel K. Daniel, Afanye Daniel 2018 Lara and the Beat Uncle Tunde Also starring Chioma Chukwuka, Saidi Balogun, Shaffy Bello, Chinedu Ikedieze 2018 New Money Chuka Also stars Jemima Osunde, Kate Henshaw, Blossom Chukwujekwu, Dakore Akande, Osas Ighodaro and Falz d Bahd Guy. 2018 Voiceless Scream Dr. Joel Azubike Directed by Dotun Taylor and also stars Jide Kosoko and Adeniyi Johnson. 2019 Another Father's Day Femi Daniel Sequel to Happy Father's Day film. Directed by Bukola Ogunsola. Also stars Mercy Aigbe. 2019 Coming from Insanity Mr. Martins Crime drama with Gabriel Afolyan, Sani Danja, Dakore Akande, Bolanle Ninalowo, and Damilola Adegbite 2019 Don't Get Mad Get Even Dr. Badejo Ojo's feature film directorial debut. Features Toyin Abraham, Saheed Balogun and Nancy Isime. 2019 Jumbled Mr Sagoe Also stars Femi Adebayo, Eucharia Anunobi Ekwu, Lilian Esoro. 2019 Kasanova Femi Also starring Iretiola Doyle, Toyin Abraham, Ruby Akubueze and Yomi Alvin. 2019 Ordinary Fellows Professor Jega A film by Lorenzo Menakaya 2019 Walking with Shadows Dad Drama also starring Ozzy Agu, Funlola Aofiyebi, Ayoola Ayolola, Zainab Balogun, Riyo David and Ade Laoye. 2020 This Lady Called Life Daddy Stars Bisola Aiyeola, Samuel Asa'ah, and Lota Chukwu. 2021 Silent Murder Also stars Tina Mba, Wole Ojo, Saidi Balogun, Eniola Badmus, Charles Okocha, Bayray McNwizu. 2022 Bloodhound Azusa Also starring Ademola Adedoyin, Abayomi Alvin, Samuel Asa'ah. 2022 Songs of Ubong Ubong Also stars Rhoda Morakinyo. Directed by Owen Olowu. Inspired by the Songs of Solomon. 2022 A Place Called Forward Husband Also stars Fred Amata and Judith Audu. Written by Aboyowa Aby Mene. Directed by Umanu Ojochenemi Elijah. 2022 A Song From the Dark Magnus Williams Also stars Garcia Alicia Brown, Kane Surry, Vanessa Vanderpuye, Nse Ikpe-Etim, Dean Kilbey, Tom Patient, Lola Ogunyemi, Dimeji Ewuoso, Ryan Spong, Dylan McCormack, Octavia Gilmore, Yinka Awoni, Marshall Griffin, Alexander Scrivens, Amy Lally. Written and directed by Ogodinife Okpue. 2023 Love, Lust & Other Things Chijindu Amadi Also stars Osas Ighodaro and Ramsey Nouah. Directed by Kayode Kasum. 2023 Breath of Life Timi Johnson Also stars Genoveva Umeh, Chimezie Imo, Bimbo Manuel, Tina Mba, Demola Adedoyin, Sam Dede, Sambasa Nzeribe, and Melly Atari. First Amazon Prime commissioned Nigerian film. 2024 The Man Died Wole Soyinka Based on Soyinka's memoir of the same name. Also stars Sam Dede, Norbert Young, Segilola Ogidan, Abraham Amkpa, Christiana Oshunniyi, Temmy Fosudo, and Ropo Ewenla. Directed by Awam Amkpa. 2025 Carmen & Bolude Akin Also stars Michela Carattini and Bolude Watson. Directed by Michela Carattini and Maria Isabel Delaossa.

Television

Year Title Role Notes 1989 Behaving Badly Jim Television mini-serial 1998 – 2000 Heartburn Hotel Chidi Ekechi Television serial 2009 The No. 1 Ladies' Detective Agency (TV series) Kebone Legodimo 2012 - 2016 Meet the Adebanjos Mr. Bayo Adebanjo British-Nigerian sitcom from 2012 to 2016. 2014 Tinsel (TV series) Nosa Long-running Nigerian soap opera 2018 Black Earth Rising Dr. Emmanuel Musoni BBC Two production 2021 Foundation Professor Arren Sorn Apple TV's sci fi series2022Blood SistersInspector Joe Netflix original series

Theatre Year Play Theatre Role Notes 2009 The Sunset Limited Capital Centre, Warwickshire, England Black Michael Gould performed as White 2005 Who Killed Mr Drum? Riverside Studios, Hammersmith, London Henry Nxumalo The plays title references the murder of an investigative reporter from South Africa's well-known magazine, Drum.

As Director Year Title Distributor Notes 2017 Ghost of Tarkwa Bay unknown Nigeria's first movie about the art of surfing. Also features Ibrahim Odrago, May Owen, Armando Abraham, and Godspower. This short film marks Wale Ojo's directorial debut. 2022 This, Your Lagos unknown This documentary, starring William H. Ashbee, is 1 hour and 36 mins in length.

Awards and nominations