Osun State, located in the southwestern region of Nigeria, boasts a significant number of notable celebrities and abundant mineral resources. It is also renowned for its rich cultural heritage, with ile-Ife serving as the ancestral home of the Yoruba tribe. In this article, we will explore ten of these celebrities who have made remarkable contributions to their respective fields, including acting, music, and fashion, thus upholding the great name and heritage of Osun.
10) Mo’Cheddah
Modupe-Oreoluwa Oyeyemi Ola, popularly known on stage as “Mo’Cheddah” is a Nigerian rapper and singer who has roots in Osun, despite being born in Lagos.
She released her debut album while signed to Knighthouse Entertainment in 2010. She later parted ways with the record label and founded her own label, Cheddah Music in February 2012.
She began exploring her creative side at a very early age. Initially interested in acting, she however eventually transitioned to singing, and has since had a very successful career. She designs on the side.
9) Funmi Awelewa
Funmi Awelewa Babalola is a Nigerian actress, producer, fashion designer, writer, entrepreneur, and Influencer with remarkable roles in films.
She comes from “Iwo”, Osun State. However, she was born and raised in Ayeye, a neighborhood in Oyo State.
She graduated from the prestigious University of Ibadan with a diploma in Library, Archival, and Information studies. Her writing career was shaped by her knowledge from her studies.
Nicknamed “Morili Omo Ibadan” meaning “I see an Ibadan person”, she gradually rose to fame and prominence through posting skits on Instagram.
She became a viral sensation after releasing the sensation, Omo Ibadan in 2016.
8) Femi Jacobs
Femi Jacobs is a prominent Nigerian actor who rose to stardom in the movie, “The Meeting”, as the character “Makinde Esho”. He received a nomination for Best Actor in a leading role at the 9th Africa Movie Academy Awards. He is currently the biggest and most renowned actor from Osun State.
7) Pastor Enoch Adeboye
Pastor Enoch Adejare Adeboye, one of the most influential Nigerian religious leaders, hails from Ifewara, a town in Osun State. He attended Ilesha Grammar School in Osun State and later went on to study Mathematics at Africa’s most beautiful campus, OAU. He then later completed his postgraduate studies at the University of Lagos and also obtained both a Master’s degree and a Ph.D. in Applied Mathematics. Pastor Adeboye is also a family man, married to Foluke Adenike, and they have four children .
6) Anthar Laniyan
A popular Veteran Yoruba actor, Anthar Laniyan is a familiar name among many people. He is a producer and director, as well as starring in numerous movies.
Born in Osogbo, and an indigene of Osun State, he was the first director to direct the sensational Wale Adenuga weekly series, “Super Story”, an acclaimed hit across the Nigerian audience.
5) Gloria Bamiloye
Gloria Olusola Bamiloye is a Nigerian Dramatist, and the co-founder of The Mount Zion Drama Ministries alongside her husband, Mike Bamiloye.
Also an actress, producer, and director, she hails from Osun State. She has starred in and directed several Christian Nigerian movies in Nigeria notable of which include “House on Fire, and Abejoye.” She has 3 children, who are also quite renown in their own right.
4) Seyi Shay
Deborah Oluseyi Joshua A.K.A. Seyi Shay is a Nigerian– England-based music artiste and actress. She also earns a spot here as being one of the top celebrities who hail from Osun State. She has worked with numerous star singers from Nigeria, such as: KCee, Wizkid, Vector, Olamide, and Timaya.
3) Mike Bamiloye
Another top actor on this list, Mike Bamiloye is a renowned Nigerian Christian actor and evangelist who hails from Osun State. He is the founder of The Mount Zion Drama Ministry.
He was born in Ilesha, in 1960, and has been featured in several movies of global repute, even serving as a director and producer for most.
2) Mayorkun
Adewale Mayowa who goes by the stage name, Mayorkun, is also in fact a popular figure amongst listeners of Afrobeats and is as well a top Nigerian artiste with origins from Osun State.
A talented singer, songwriter, and guitarist, he is quite close with numerous artists, especially the G.O.A.T as he is sometimes referred to — Davido.
He emerged into the music scene with the debut single, “Eleko”, and released his first studio album, “The Mayor of Lagos” in the year 2018.
He has since then continued to chart new paths and establish himself as a force to be reckoned with on the shores of the Nigerian music scene.
1) David Adeleke A.K.A. Davido
The last but not the least name to be mentioned here is none other than the OG figure of Osun, Davido— also popularly, best known even by his stage name.
David Adeleke comes from the Adeleke family, who are very prominent set of people diverse in different areas and industries.
Davido holds to his name the title of being one of the biggest artists in Africa from Nigeria. An award-winning musician, with a definitely stellar discography, Davido continues to outdo himself each and every time he comes out with new releases. He is also the founder of his own record label, Davido Music Worldwide.
We’re finally at the end of this article, and I must say that these amazing celebrities are truly exceptional. If you’re wowed by the various names mentioned here, you’re a fan of any of them, or you just have opinions to share, do share them, and let’s hear from you!
