Adebowale "Debo" Adedayo () (born 3 May 1993),[1] popularly known by his stage name Mr Macaroni, is a Nigerian actor, comedian, and activist.[2][3][4][5] He is known for his online comedy skits and roles in films such as Ponzi (2021), Ayinla (2021), Aníkúlápó (2022), Freedom Way (2024), and Lisabi : The Uprising (2024).[6][7]
Adebowale "Debo" Adedayo | |
|---|---|
 | |
| Born | 3 May 1993 Lagos, Nigeria |
| Nationality | Nigerian |
| Other names | Mr Macaroni |
| Alma mater | Redeemer's University Nigeria |
| Occupation(s) | Actor, Content Producer |
| Years active | 2012–present |
| Website | mrmacaronitv |
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".[8] He popularized catchphrases like "Ooin", "Freaky freaky" and "You are doing well".[9]
He is an advocate for civic empowerment, and most notably was involved in the 2020 #EndSARS movement in Nigeria, when he himself was a victim of police brutality.[10][11]
Since then, Adedayo has increasingly used his platform to champion social causes and frequently combines humor with civic education in his skits.[12][13][14] 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".[15]
Early life
editAn indigene of Ogun State, Adebowale Babatunde Adedayo was born in Ogudu, Lagos into an Upper middle class, Islamic and Christian family 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[16] and then attended Babcock University High School. In 2009, he gained admission to Lead City University, where he studied law but was forced to leave by his second year due to the university's accreditation issue.[17]
By 2011, Adedayo was a law student at Houdegbe North American University Cotonou in the Republic of Benin but was forced to leave before earning his degrees.[18][19]
Upon leaving Cotonou, Adedayo decided to discontinue his education and pursue a career in acting. After being featured in a few film and television roles his parents convinced him to resume his education. He went on to study 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.[1][20]
Career
editAdedayo started as an actor[21] in Nollywood before creating comedy videos.[22][23] In an interview with Punch Nigeria, he said that he had been an actor for a long time by doing movies and soap operas.[23] He said movie roles were no longer coming at some point and it took a while before he decided to start online comedy.[23]
Debo's comedy addresses events and real issues in Africa.[24] He always plays the role of a sugar daddy. In an interview with the Nigerian Tribune, he said he chose the role of a sugar daddy because it represents a good percentage of naughty men who cannot control themselves.[25]
His satirical skits highlight social and political issues like 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".[26]
Debo, 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.[27]
His skits typically feature veterans of Nollywood and the Nigerian entertainment industry, like Jim Iyke, Bimbo Ademoye, Lateef Adedimeji, Sola Sobowale, Falz and Mr. P. He has also featured fellow skit makers like Oga Sabinus (Mr. Funny), KieKie, Remote, and Broda Shaggi. He has also featured Adeyeye Enitan Ogunwusi, the Ooni of Ife.[28]
Filmography
editMovies
edit| Year | Title | Role | Notes | Ref |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2020 | Doubt | Otunba | Directed by Ubong Bassey Nya | |
| 2021 | Ponzi | Uchenna | Ponzi is a 2021 Nigerian comedy movie that was based on the 2016 MMM Ponzi scheme. | [29][30] |
| Ayinla | Bayowa | Ayinla is a musical film based on the life of Ayinla Yusuf, popularly known as Ayinla Omowura, an Apala musician who was stabbed to death by his manager Bayewu in a bar fight on 6 May 1980 at Abeokuta. | [31][32] | |
| 2022 | Survivors | Survivors is a story about two roadside technicians battling for financial success. They ultimately ran upon a criminal named David, who taught them the ropes of kidnapping. | ||
| Aníkúlápó | Akanji | Aníkúlápó narrates the tale of Saro, a man who was looking for a greener pasture. However, due to the course of events and his relationship with the king's wife, he met his untimely death and an enigma known as Akala, a mystical bird thought to grant and revoke life. | [33] | |
| King of Thieves: Agesinkole | ||||
| Brotherhood | Adura | Action / Crime | ||
| 2023 | Gangs of Lagos | Wemimo | Crime / Thriller
Directed by Jadesola Osiberu |
|
| Jagun Jagun | Moyale | Drama / History
Directed by Tope Adebayo and Adebayo Tijani |
||
| 2024 | The Legend of the Vagabond Queen of Lagos | Abisoro | Crime / Drama / Mystery / Thriller | |
| Lisabi: The Uprising | Osokenu | Drama / History |
TV series
edit| Title | Role | References |
|---|---|---|
| Okirika | Alaga | [34] |
| Ile Alayo | Sweet Daddy | [35] |
| Flatmates | AK 47 | [36] |
| The Johnsons | Casper | [37] |
EndSARS
editAdedayo has been active in the End SARS movement.[38][39]
On Saturday, 13 February 2021, police arrested him at Lekki Toll Gate during the #OccupyLekkiTollgate protest.[40][39]
After staging a sleep-in at the state house in Alausa, with Rinu Oduala and a group of protestors on the 8th of October 2020, Adedayo continued to lend his platform to the protests and became one of the key faces of the #EndSARS movement.[41][42]
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.[43][44]
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.[45][46]
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.[47]
Awards and nominations
edit| Year | Award | Category | Result | Reference |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2018 | Best of Nollywood Awards | Revelation of the Year – male | Nominated | [48] |
| 2020 | The Future Awards Africa | Content Creation | Won | [49][50] |
| City People Music Award | Comedy Act of the Year | Won | [51] | |
| 2021 | Net Honours | Most Popular Comedian | Nominated | [52] |
| 2022 | Africa Magic Viewers' Choice Awards | Best Online Social Content Creator | Nominated | [53][54] |
| 2021 | Gage Awards | Online Comedian of the Year | Won | [55] |
See also
editReferences
edit- ^ a b "Mr Macaroni, from Nigerian comedian to EndSARS activist". BBC News Pidgin. Retrieved 2 March 2021.
- ^ "Adebowale Adedayo". IMDb. Retrieved 27 September 2022.
- ^ "Mr Macaroni, others in marathon #EndSARSProtest in Lagos". Vanguard News. 9 October 2020. Retrieved 2 March 2021.
- ^ "Broda Shaggi, Mr. Macaroni others top the list of digital content creators". Premium Times. 29 January 2021. Retrieved 2 March 2021.
- ^ Gatefield (3 May 2022). "Gatefield's People Journalism Prize for Africa 2021 Winners". Gatefield. Retrieved 5 October 2024.
- ^ Elfadl, Murtada (17 September 2024). "'Freedom Way' Review: From Nigeria, a Kinetic Thriller Juggles Many Intertwining Narratives". Variety. Retrieved 5 October 2024.
- ^ Cletus, Confidence (28 September 2024). "MOVIE REVIEW: 'Lisabi the Uprising' is Nollywood's best epic yet". Premium Times Nigeria. Retrieved 5 October 2024.
- ^ BellaNaija.com (11 June 2024). "Mr Macaroni Speaks on The Character "Daddy Wa" & Finding Success in Entertainment With Teju Babyface". BellaNaija. Retrieved 5 October 2024.
- ^ "MrMacaroni (@mrmacaroni1) • Instagram photos and videos". www.instagram.com. Retrieved 27 September 2022.
- ^ Egbas, Jude (9 October 2020). "Mr Macaroni, #EndSARS protesters, spend cold night at Lagos House of Assembly". Pulse Nigeria. Retrieved 5 October 2024.
- ^ biodunbusari@vanguardngr.com (20 October 2023). "[Photos] #EndSARS: Mr Macaroni, others stage walk at 3rd Anniversary of Lekki Tollgate shootings". Vanguard News. Retrieved 5 October 2024.
- ^ Okogba, Emmanuel (14 February 2021). "#OccupyLekkiTollgate: They beat, threatened to kill us - Mr Macaroni tells experience with police [video]". Vanguard News. Retrieved 5 October 2024.
- ^ Odutuyo, Adeyinka (30 April 2022). "I use my 'freaky freaky' character and art to drive social change: Mr Macaroni". Legit.ng - Nigeria news. Retrieved 5 October 2024.
- ^ "THE TOYIN FALOLA INTERVIEWS: A CONVERSATION WITH DEBO ADEDAYO, PART3". groups.google.com. Retrieved 9 October 2024.
- ^ "Trendupp Awards: Mr Macaroni Emerges Force Of Influence Winner, Goes Home With Brand New Car - Brand Communicator". 11 July 2023. Retrieved 5 October 2024.
- ^ Abdullahi, Idowu (24 March 2022). "I studied at four universities before graduating - Mr Macaroni". Punch Newspapers. Retrieved 12 June 2023.
- ^ www.premiumtimesng.com https://www.premiumtimesng.com/entertainment/nollywood/519360-why-i-attended-four-universities-mr-macaroni.html?tztc=1. Retrieved 5 October 2024.
{{cite web}}: Missing or empty|title=(help) - ^ Idowu, Abdullah (24 March 2022). "studied at four universities before graduating – Mr Macaroni". The Punch Newspaper. Retrieved 28 December 2023.
- ^ Ademola, Olonilua (24 March 2022). "Why I Attended Four Universities Before Graduating — Mr Macaroni". The Daily Trust. Retrieved 28 December 2023.
- ^ "After Struggling for 10years, Actor, Debo Adedayo Graduates with Upper Credit". Modern Ghana. Retrieved 2 March 2021.
- ^ "Mr Macaroni: I'm single, but not searching". The Nation Nigeria. 30 January 2021. Retrieved 2 March 2021.
- ^ "Mr. Macaroni walks through narrow tubes". The Nation Nigeria. 26 December 2020. Retrieved 2 March 2021.
- ^ a b c "Naughty requests from ladies are appreciation of my works –Mr. Macaroni". Punch Newspapers. 10 January 2020. Retrieved 2 March 2021.
- ^ "How Mr. Macaroni Is changing the face of the comedy industry and pushing other talents along | By Adetayo Omotoyosi Adeolu". Qwenu!. 13 July 2021. Archived from the original on 30 July 2021. Retrieved 30 July 2021.
- ^ Adeoye, Faith (1 February 2020). "I always find it hard to see myself as a comedian —Adedayo, Mr. Macaroni". Nigerian Tribune. Retrieved 2 March 2021.
- ^ Omorogbe, Paul (5 June 2022). "(OPINION) Debo Adedayo: Mr Macaroni and socio-political activism". Tribune Online. Retrieved 28 July 2022.
- ^ "Naughty requests from ladies are appreciation of my works –Mr. Macaroni". Punch Nigeria. 11 January 2020.
- ^ Ogunsemore, John (4 October 2020). "Mr Macaroni features Tony Umez in sizzling new comedy skit (Video)". Retrieved 28 July 2022.
- ^ "Kayode Kasum: People's experience with MMM inspired 'Ponzi'". TheCable Lifestyle. 9 March 2021. Retrieved 3 April 2021.
- ^ Tv, Bn (1 March 2021). "Meet the Star-Studded Cast of Kayode Kasum's Comedy Film "Ponzi" + Watch the Trailer". BellaNaija. Retrieved 3 April 2021.
- ^ "Shades of a Tragic Hero". THISDAYLIVE. 11 July 2021. Retrieved 14 July 2021.
- ^ "Tunde Kelani commences movie on late Apala legend, Ayinla Omowura". 11 December 2020. Retrieved 14 July 2021.
- ^ "TRAILER: Kunle Remi, Sola Sobowale, Mr Macaroni star in 'Anikulapo'". TheCable Lifestyle. 15 August 2022. Retrieved 2 October 2022.
- ^ Online, Tribune (23 September 2021). "'Okirika' revamped as Nollywood stars, StarTimes collaborate on new comedy series". Tribune Online. Retrieved 28 July 2022.
- ^ "Mr Macaroni, Broda Shaggi to star in "Ile Alayo" showing on StarTimes". Vanguard News. 13 July 2021. Retrieved 28 July 2022.
- ^ "My Flatmates – Mr macaroni on this one as AK47". Abidon TV. 16 October 2021. Archived from the original on 12 December 2022. Retrieved 28 July 2022.
- ^ "Mr Macaroni debuts on The Johnsons on Africa Magic". News Express Nigeria Website. 16 May 2021. Retrieved 28 July 2022.
- ^ "#OccupyLekkiTollgate: They beat, threatened to kill us – Mr Macaroni tells experience with police". Vanguard News. 14 February 2021. Retrieved 2 March 2021.
- ^ a b "WATCH: Mr Macaroni hails #OccupyLekki protesters in 'One Coward, 39 Heroes' skit". TheCable Lifestyle. 22 February 2021. Retrieved 2 March 2021.
- ^ "Mr Macaroni arrested by Police at #OccupyLekkitollgate protest". guardian.ng. 13 February 2021. Retrieved 2 March 2021.
- ^ Online, Tribune (17 October 2020). "#ENDSARS: How Nigerian celebrities, social media influencers backed protests". Tribune Online. Retrieved 28 July 2022.
- ^ Egbas, Jude (9 October 2020). "Mr Macaroni, #EndSARS protesters, spend the cold night at Lagos House of Assembly". Pulse Nigeria. Retrieved 28 July 2022.
- ^ Olasupo, Abisola (13 February 2021). "Mr Macaroni arrested by Police at #OccupyLekkitollgate protest - Nigeria and World News". The Guardian Nigeria News - Nigeria and World News. Retrieved 28 July 2022.
- ^ Augoye, Jayne (18 April 2021). "#OccupyLekkitollgate: How policemen took turns to beat me - Mr Macaroni". Premium Times Nigeria. Retrieved 28 July 2022.
- ^ Adediran, Ifeoluwa (20 October 2021). "#EndSARS Memorial: Police disperse protesters at Lekki tollgate". Premium Times Nigeria. Retrieved 28 July 2022.
- ^ "The EndSARS memorial paid due respect to a Nigerian tragedy - Quartz Africa". Quartz. 20 October 2021. Retrieved 28 July 2022.
- ^ "EndSARS: Mr Macaroni, Falz reject Sanwo-Olu's invite for peace walk". Punch Newspapers. 30 November 2021. Retrieved 28 July 2022.
- ^ Augoye, Jayne (10 December 2018). "BON Awards 2018: Tope Oshin, Tana Adelana win big". Retrieved 9 October 2021.
- ^ "Drum rolls! 🥁 Introducing the Winners of The Future Awards Africa #TFAA2020". BellaNaija. 28 November 2020. Retrieved 2 March 2021.
- ^ "FULL LIST: Mr. Macaroni, Rema, Sam Adeyemi win big at TFAA 2020". TheCable Lifestyle. 28 November 2020. Retrieved 2 March 2021.
- ^ "Winners Emerge At 2020 City People Music Awards [Full List]". City People Magazine. 7 December 2020. Retrieved 2 March 2021.
- ^ "Net Honours – The Class of 2021". Nigerian Entertainment Today. Retrieved 7 September 2021.
- ^ "2022 Africa Magic Awards Nominees don land- See who dey list". BBC News Pidgin. Retrieved 26 March 2022.
- ^ "Stan Nze, Osas Ighodaro win big - Full list of all di winners from 2022 AMVCA". BBC News Pidgin. Retrieved 15 May 2022.
- ^ "Mr Macaroni, Nengi, Erica, Aisha Yesufu, Airopay make Gage awards 2021 nomination". The Guardian Nigeria News - Nigeria and World News. 22 February 2021. Retrieved 27 October 2022.