In this post, Platinumtimes chronicles a list of top 10 famous from Kwara State.
Kwara State is a state in the North Central geopolitical zone of Nigeria. It is inhabited by the Yorubas and some minority groups like the Nupe, Bariba and Fulani people.
The state has a population of over three million people belonging to the different ethnic groups that make up the state, its capital city is Illorin where most of it’s people are based.
Some natural resources fond here includes Coal, Limestone, Marble, Iron, Ore, Feldspar, Clay, Tin, Talc and Gold.
Agriculture is practiced here and some products found here are Cotton, Cofee, Cocoa, Kolanut, Tobacco leaves, Berniseed, Palm Produce. The state has two of the largest dams, namely, the Kainji and Jebba, major sources of hydro-electric power for the country and Mungo Park Monument at Jebba.
When making a list of the natural endowments of the state, it is vital to also take note of successful people who are indigenes of Kwara State.
This article takes a look at the top 10 famous people who hails from Kwara State.
Summary of top 10 celebrities from Kwara State
- David Oyedepo
- Bukola Saraki
- Kunle Afolayan
- Adebayo Salami
- Gbemisola Saraki
- Yinka Quadri
- Femi Adebayo
- Taiwo Adeniyi
- Gabriel Afolayan
- Ibrahim Chatta
David Oyedepo
Bishop David Olaniyi Oyedepo, the founder of the Living Faith Church Worldwide, and presiding Bishop of the Faith Tabernacle in Ota, Ogun State, Nigeria is a native of Kwara State.
He was born on 27th September, 1954 in Oshogbo but hails from Omu-Aran, Irepodun Local Government Area of Kwara State and is married to Dr. Faith Oyedepo.
The church is popularly known as Winners’ Chapel International and it spans across several countries in the world.
Oyedepo is listed among the richest pastors in Nigeria and Africa at Large, he is the founder of the Covenant University and Landmark University.
Bukola Saraki
Abubakar Bukola Saraki is a successful Politician who hails from Kwara State. He previously served as President of the Nigerian Senate from 2015 to 2019.
He was born in London on December 19th, 1962 and has a Bachelor of Medicine and Surgery from University of London.
Bukola Saraki is married to Toyin Saraki (née Ojora), they have four children together, Popular among his children are Seni and Tosin Saraki.
Kunle Afolayan
Popular Nollywood producer, actor and director, Kunle Afolayan is also a native of Kwara State.
Heis of Igbomina-Yoruba descent of the state and was born on September 30th, 1975 to the famous theatre and film director, Ade Love.
Kunle is the is the CEO of Golden Effects Pictures, a Nigerian film and production company established in 2005 and known to produce several Nollywood Blockbusters like the figurine, phone Swap, Anikulápó amongst others.
Adebayo Salami
Adebayo Salami, also known as Oga Bello is another successful Nigerian actor and producer from Kwara State.
He was born on May 9th, 1952 in Lagos State. He began his acting career in 1964, with a group called Young Concert Party.
He also featured in the first Yoruba film, Ajani Ogun alongside late Adeyemi Afolayan, the father of Kunle Afolayan and Gabriel Afolayan who took the lead role. Oga Bello is married to two wives and has numerous children.
Gbemisola Saraki
Gbemisola Ruqayyah Saraki is a politician from Kwara State who previously served as the Minister of State for Mines and Steel Development.
She is the sister of Bukola Saraki, another popular figure in Kwara State. She was born on 3rd May, 1965 and attended the University of Sussex in the United Kingdom where she earned a bachelor’s degree in Economics.
She was also a former Senator who represented the Kwara Central Senatorial district under the people’s Democratic party platform in 2003.
Yinka Quadri
Alhaji Akanni Olayinka Quadri is another actor who hails from Igbomina-Owomeje descent in Oro, Kwara State.
He is the President & Co-Founder of a Theatre Art Group called (Odunfa Caucus). He completed his primary school education and secondary school education at St. Catholic School, Idumagbo, Lagos and Christ High School, Ebute Elefun, Lagos respectively.
He starred in a new movie titled Apaad and he holds the traditional title of Agba Akin of Oro Kingdom
Femi Adebayo
Femi Adebayo Salami is a Nigerian lawyer, actor and film director from Kwara State.
He is the son of Adebayo Salami (Oga Bello) and the special adviser to the Governor of Kwara State on Arts, Culture, and Tourism.
He was born on December 31st, 1978 in Lagos State. He began acting in 1985, the same year he featured in his father’s first movie titled Ogun Ajaye and has since featured in over 500 Nigerian movies earning awards as the Best Yoruba Actor at the 17th African Film Awards popularly known as Afro Hollywood Awards at the Stratford Town Hall in London. He has a bachelor and a master’s degree in law.
Taiwo Awoniyi
Taiwo Micheal Awoniyi is a professional Footballer who playsvas a striker for the Nigeria national team and premier League club Nottingham Forest.
He was born on August 12th, 1997 and is a native of Kwara State.
In 2010, Awoniyi was voted the Most Valuable Player at a Coca-Cola football competition in London.
His performance at the competition was spotted by Seyi Olofinjana who invited him to join the Imperial Soccer Academy.
Gabriel Afolayan
Gabriel Afolayan, also known as G-fresh is an actor and singer who hails from Kwara State. He was born on 1st March, 1985 and studied theatre arts at the University of Ibadan.
He became famous after playing the role “Akin” in a Super Story Series titled NNENNA. He is the brother of famous director, Kunle Afolayan and has won an award as the Best Supporting Actor award for playing “Tavier Jambari” in Hoodrush (2012). As a musician, he is known mostly for “Awelewa” and “Kokoro Ife”.
Ibrahim Chatta
Ibrahim Chatta is a popular Nigerian actor, singer, producer, and director from Bachita in Edu LGA of Kwara State.
He began his acting career as a teenager and has spent decades in the Nigerian film industry, becoming one of the industry’s best actors.
He was born on 13 July 1970 and began his career on stage before moving on to the big screen. He rose to prominence after appearing in the film Aiyekooto.