Wikipedia

Mike Afolarin

Michael Oladapo Afolarin (born 1 September) professionally known as Mike Afolarin is a Nigerian actor, Aerial photographer and Filmmaker.[1] Born in Lagos State, Mike grew up in Ibadan with his grandparents, where he started his education and eventually moved back to Lagos at the age of 7.

Mike Afolarin
Born
Lagos State, Nigeria
CitizenshipNigerian
Alma materUniversity of Lagos
Occupation(s)actor, filmmaker
Years active2013–present

Personal Life

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Mike Afolarin attended Federal Government College, Ijanikin, Lagos State for his secondary school. He then proceeded to earn a Bachelor’s degree in Economics from the University of Lagos (UNILAG) in 2016.[2]

Career

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In 2013, Afolarin had his first experience with acting in a stage play, Magic Time during his time in the University of Lagos. [3]

As though foreshadowing his future in a 2021 interview with NTA, Afolarin stated that there are more stories being told about young people and it’s really an exciting time to be part of that.

Not long after, Afolarin gained more popularity with his lead role as Ishaya, in Netflix’ young adult home series - Far From Home.[4] The five-part series tells the story of Afolarin’s character – Ishaya, a talented and charismatic teenager from a poor family who is on a mission to actualize his dreams of becoming a renowned artist, even at the expense of his new found friendships and safety of his family.[4]

Afolarin also had a cinema release on the same date (December 16,2022) with his role as Akinzo in Funke Akindele and Tobi Makinde’s – ‘Battle on Buka Street’. Akinzo is portrayed as a comedic but upright and well-respected Youth leader of Otanwa community.[5] The Nigerian comedy drama film has become the second highest grossing Nigerian film in the box office, while also setting the record of grossing N135m in one day, according to the Vanguard. [6][7]

In an interview with the Nigerian Television Authority (NTA) on February 1, 2021, Afolarin that personal projects are a good way to get into the industry – either behind the scenes or being on screen. He explored opportunities behind the scenes as an Associate Producer, Aerial Cinematographer and Set Designer in movies like Ajuwaya, Couple of Days, Director in two Short Films - An Interview Story, Peace and Assistant Director in Short Film - The 3rd Rule.

Afolarin also curated all aerial shots in a Comprehensive Investment Documentary directed by Tolu ‘Lord Tanner’ for the Oyo State Government in 2018.

In the same year, Afolarin came into the limelight with his cinema debut as one of the lead characters (Chikodi) in Emamode Edosio’s – ‘Kasala’ starring Chimezie Imo, Tomiwa Tegbe and Emeka Nwagbaraocha.[8]

In 2019, Afolarin went on to feature in many short films. From ‘Blast’ to  Charles Obi Emere’s ‘Stuck In Deep Mud’ and ‘Fortunately Ridiculous’. Not long after, Afolarin featured in Ebonylife Films – ‘Your Excellency’, directed by Funke Akindele staring Shaffy Bello and Akin Lewis.[9]

Prior to his ‘Far From Home’ success, Afolarin is also well known for his comedic roles as Kinto, in Africa Magic’s internationally acclaimed TV Series – ‘Brethren’, starring Akin Lewis, Daniel Etim-Effiong and Demola Adedoyin – and Idris in Red TV’s web series ’Inspector K’.

Popular streaming platform - Netflix, is home to some of Afolarin’s works like Far From Home, Soólè, The Wait,  Kasala, Adire, House of Ga’a and Your Excellency.[10][4]

Upcoming projects for Afolarin include ‘House of Ga’a’ directed by Bolanle Austen-Peters, set to premiere on Netflix and ‘Red Circle’, directed by Akay Mason which is set to be released soon by Rixel Studios, who announced the completion of the movie with a heartfelt message to their cast and crew.[10]

Filmography

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Year Title Role Notes/Ref
2017 Ajuwaya RC Directed by Tolu Lordtanner
2018 Oyo State Investment Documentary Documentary. Aerial Cinematographer.

Directed by Tolu 'Lord Tanner'

We Tha Boyz Directed by Ema Edosio[11]
Kasala! Chikodi Directed by Ema Edosio[12][8][13]
Ajoche Directed by James Omokwe
The Accused Directed by Muyiwa Aluko
An Interview Story Francis Directed by Mike Afolarin
2019 Fortunately Ridiculous Nnamdi Directed by Olutobi Odunubi[14][3]
Your Excellency Tunde Ajadi Directed by Tunde Ajadi[9][15]
Brethren Kinto Directed by Lanre Olupona[16]
Fortunately Ridiculous Nnamdi Directed by Olutobi Odunubi
Peace Directed by Mike Afolarin
Stuck In Deep Mud Tamuno Directed by Charles Obi Emere
Blast Red Shoes Directed by Tosin Ibitoye
The 3rd Rule Directed by God'spower Okoh
2020 Inspector K Idris Directed by Abiola Sobo
AARGH! Femi Directed by Kelvinmary Ndukwe
Penance Benjamin Directed by Biodun Stephen
2021 The Olive (TV series) Other casts are Theresa Edem, Joke Silva[17][18][19]
The Wait Essien Directed by Fiyin Gambo, Yemi Morafa[20][21]
Soole Maxwell Directed by Kayode Kasum[22][23]
The Olive TV series[24][25]
2022 Battle on Buka Street Akinzo Directed by Funke Akindele[5][26][6]
Far From Home Ishaya Bello TV series directed by Catherine Stewart and Kayode Kasum[4][27]
Miss Bamidele's Girls Ezekiel Directed by Desmond Elliot[28][29]
2023 Adire Deji Directed by Adeoluwa Owu[30][31]
Ajosepo Dapo Directed by Kayode Kasum[32]
Anchor Gideon Directed by Ozioma B. Nwughala[33]
2024 Water and Garri Mide Directed by Meji Alabi, other casts include Tiwa Savage, Jemima Osunde[34][35]
House of Ga'a Directed by Bolanle Austen-Peters[36][10][37]
Boy Trouble Henry Directed by Taiwo Shittu
Bottom Line Steve Directed by Bryan Adekunle

Awards and nominations

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Nominations
Year Event Prize Recipient Result Ref.
2018 2018 Best of Nollywood Awards Revelation of the Year – male Mike Afolarin Nominated [38][39]
ZUMA Film Festival Best Picture

Best Cinematography

Best Director

Best Editing

Best Screenplay

Kasala Won [8]
Africa International Film Festival (AFRIFF) Viewer’s Choice Award Kasala Won [8]
2020 2020 Best of Nollywood Awards Revelation of the Year – male Mike Afolarin Nominated [40][41]
2022 2022 The Future Awards Africa Acting [42]

See also

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References

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  1. ^ TOPCHARTS (2024-02-13). "Mike Afolarin: Nollywood Superstar". Top Charts Africa. Retrieved 2024-07-02.
  2. ^ Famuwagun, Olamide (2023-01-17). "How school strike drove me into acting – Mike Afolarin". Punch Newspapers. Retrieved 2024-07-02.
  3. ^ a b Khiran, Nikki (2024-05-09). "NOLLYWOOD'S RISING STARS - LeVogue Magazine". Retrieved 2024-07-02.
  4. ^ a b c d Udodiong, Inemesit (2022-12-25). "Mike Afolarin, Gbubemi Ejeye & Bolanle Ninalowo talk Netflix's 'Far From Home' [Pulse Interview]". Pulse Nigeria. Retrieved 2024-07-02.
  5. ^ a b "'Battle on Buka Street' Takes Audiences on a Wild and Witty Ride". Nollywood Reporter. Retrieved 2024-07-02.
  6. ^ a b "Battle on Buka Street". Box Office Mojo. Retrieved 2024-07-02.
  7. ^ Adeleye, Adegboyega (2022-12-27). "Funke Akindele's 'Buka on battle street' sets Nollywood record, grossing N135m in one day". Vanguard NG. Retrieved 2024-07-05.{{cite news}}: CS1 maint: url-status (link)
  8. ^ a b c d "AFRIFF 2018: 'Kasala' di feem wey cinemas no gree show for Nigeria win top award". BBC News Pidgin. Retrieved 2024-07-02.
  9. ^ a b Ihejirika, Uzoma (2023-03-10). "AV Club: 'Your Excellency' Encapsulates the Power of Media in the Political Arena". The NATIVE. Retrieved 2024-07-02.
  10. ^ a b c BellaNaija.com (2024-06-20). "Bolanle Austen-Peters' "House of Ga'a" Arrives on Netflix July 26th | See First Looks". BellaNaija. Retrieved 2024-07-02.
  11. ^ "We Tha Boyz". African Movie Channel Xtra. Retrieved 2024-07-02.
  12. ^ Lawal, Babatunde (2022-09-16). "Movie recommendation for the week: Ema Edosio's Kasala (2018)". Pulse Nigeria. Retrieved 2024-07-02.
  13. ^ "Meet The Nigerian New Wave Director Behind the Film 'Kasala!' - Okayplayer". www.okayafrica.com. Retrieved 2024-07-02.
  14. ^ Penboy Production - Shorts (2020-01-09). Fortunately Ridiculous (2019). Retrieved 2024-07-02 – via YouTube.
  15. ^ Agency, Report (December 15, 2019). "Movie Review: 'Your Excellency' is a bunch of Instagram skits, not a movie". www.premiumtimesng.com. Retrieved 2024-07-02.
  16. ^ "MultiChoice Studios - Brethren". www.multichoicestudios.com. Retrieved 2024-07-02.
  17. ^ Adedayo, Adedamola (2023-06-01). ""The Olive" Season 1 Review: How Accelerate TV Warmed Its Way Into Hearts| The Culture Custodian". The Culture Custodian (Est. 2014.). Retrieved 2024-07-02.
  18. ^ BellaNaija.com (2023-05-16). "The Cast of Accelerate TV's "The Olive" talk about Season 2 & Why It's a Must-Watch". BellaNaija. Retrieved 2024-07-02.
  19. ^ EM (2023-04-09). "The Olive Season 2 Premiere Starring Derby Frankson • Exquisite Magazine - Fashion, Beauty And Lifestyle". exquisitemag.com. Retrieved 2024-07-02.
  20. ^ BellaNaija.com (2023-01-20). ""The Wait" Reaches No. 1 Spot on Netflix Nigeria | 7 Reasons Why You Should Watch!". BellaNaija. Retrieved 2024-07-02.
  21. ^ Shola-Adido, Oladotun (January 21, 2023). "MOVIE REVIEW: The Wait: Emotional love letter to Nigerian women". www.premiumtimesng.com. Retrieved 2024-07-02.
  22. ^ Stephen, Onu (January 22, 2022). "Movie Review: 'Soole' is an ambitious roller coaster movie that is easily forgotten". www.premiumtimesng.com. Retrieved 2024-07-02.
  23. ^ Okechukwu, Daniel. "Kayode Kasum On Soole And Escaping Death While Shooting". www.innollywood.com. Retrieved 2024-07-02.
  24. ^ Adedayo, Adedamola (2023-06-01). ""The Olive" Season 1 Review: How Accelerate TV Warmed Its Way Into Hearts| The Culture Custodian". The Culture Custodian (Est. 2014.). Retrieved 2024-07-02.
  25. ^ BellaNaija.com (2023-05-16). "The Cast of Accelerate TV's "The Olive" talk about Season 2 & Why It's a Must-Watch". BellaNaija. Retrieved 2024-07-02.
  26. ^ Shola-Adido, Oladotun (December 24, 2022). "MOVIE REVIEW: 'Battle on Buka Street' is perfect film to wrap up 2022". www.premiumtimesng.com. Retrieved 2024-07-02.
  27. ^ BellaNaija.com (2022-12-14). "BN Red Carpet Fab: Netflix's "Far From Home" World Premiere". BellaNaija. Retrieved 2024-07-02.
  28. ^ "Miss Bamidele's Girls (2022)". The A.V. Club. Retrieved 2024-07-02.
  29. ^ "Watch Miss Bamidele's Girls Streaming Online | Showmax". @showmax. Retrieved 2024-07-02.
  30. ^ Shola-Adido, Oladotun (January 28, 2024). "MOVIE REVIEW: Adire: Solid tale of redemption marred by predictable storyline". www.premiumtimesng.com. Retrieved 2024-07-02.
  31. ^ ""Adire" Is An Empowering Tale of Transformation and Friendship". Nollywood Reporter. Retrieved 2024-07-02.
  32. ^ "'Ajosepo:' Chaos Unfolds at Mike Afolarin and Tomike Adeoye's Wedding in Kayode Kasum's Gripping Drama - Nollywire". 2024-03-08. Retrieved 2024-07-02.
  33. ^ Nwughala, Ozioma B. (2023-05-11), Anchor (Drama), Mike Afolarin, Sharon Agwunobi, Bimbo Akintola, Rok Studios, Triple One Productions, retrieved 2024-07-02
  34. ^ BellaNaija.com (2024-05-27). "Jemima Osunde, Mike Afolarin & Vannessa Amadi-Ogbonna Have This To Say About Tiwa Savage's Film "Water & Garri"". BellaNaija. Retrieved 2024-07-02.
  35. ^ Onu, Stephen (2024-05-12). "MOVIE REVIEW: Tiwa Savage's Water & Garri movie lacks 'sugar'". Premium Times Nigeria. Retrieved 2024-07-02.
  36. ^ David, Obed (2024-07-01). "'House of Ga'a', Beverly Hills Cop: Axel F, other Netflix titles this July". Premium Times Nigeria. Retrieved 2024-07-02.
  37. ^ Udodiong, Inemesit (2023-05-29). "Bolanle Austin-Peters teases her new film 'House of Ga'a'". Pulse Nigeria. Retrieved 2024-07-02.
  38. ^ BellaNaija.com (2018-11-08). "Ramsey Nouah, Mercy Aigbe, Ifu Ennada, "10 Days In Sun City"... Here's the Full Nominee List for the 2018 Best of Nollywood (BON) Awards". BellaNaija. Retrieved 2024-07-02.
  39. ^ Bada, Gbenga (2018-12-09). "BON Awards 2018: Mercy Aigbe, Tana Adelana shine at 10th edition". Pulse Nigeria. Retrieved 2024-07-02.
  40. ^ Jayne, Augoye (December 2, 2020). "2020 BON: Here are 5 nominees for 'Best Kiss' category". www.premiumtimesng.com. Retrieved 2024-07-02.
  41. ^ "BON Awards Unveils 2020 Nominee List – Independent Newspaper Nigeria". 2020-11-15. Retrieved 2024-07-02.
  42. ^ BellaNaija.com (2023-09-25). "From Hilda Baci to Asake, Here Are This Year's The Future Awards Africa Nominees". BellaNaija. Retrieved 2024-07-02.
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