Femi Adebayo (born 31 December 1976) is a Nigerian actor, filmmaker, director, and lawyer. He is known for his work in Yoruba-language cinema and for directing commercially successful films such as King of Thieves (2022), Jagun Jagun (2023), and Seven Doors (2024).
In 2024, he won the Africa Movie Academy Awards for Best Actor in a Supporting Role for Jagun Jagun, also won the Africa Magic Viewers' Choice Awards' Best Lead Actor for his performance in Seven Doors in 2025.
He has appeared in more than 500 films and has been active in the Nigerian film industry since the 1990s.
Early life and education
Femi Adebayo was born on 31 December 1976 in Ilorin, Kwara State to Adebayo Salami and Alhaja Risikat Ejide.[2][1] He attended C&S College before transferring to Oke Ode Grammar School, where he served as Head Boy and completed his secondary education in 1994.[1] He earned a Bachelor of Laws degree (LL.B) from the University of Ilorin in 2002 and attended the Nigerian Law School, where he was called to the Nigerian Bar in 2003. He later completed a Master of Laws (LL.M) degree at the University of Ibadan in 2008.[1]
Career
Portrait of Femi Adebayo
Adebayo made his acting debut in the Yoruba-language film Owo Blow in the 1990s, which brought him early recognition. He subsequently became a prominent figure in Yoruba cinema, appearing in over 500 films, including Ile Alayo, Jelili, and Survival of Jelili.[1]
Beyond acting, Adebayo expanded into film production and directing. In 2008, he founded J15 Media Network and the J15 School of Performing Arts, which has trained hundreds of aspiring actors and filmmakers for the Nigerian film industry.[3]
King of Thieves (Agesinkole), released in 2022, was produced by Adebayo through Euphoria360 Media in collaboration with Anthill Studios. The film became one of the highest-grossing Yoruba-language films in Nigerian cinema history, earning over ₦320 million at the box office.[3]
His 2024 Netflix mini-series Seven Doors debuted at number one on Netflix Nigeria and remained in that position for several weeks. Adebayo’s performance earned him the Africa Magic Viewers' Choice Awards for Best Lead Actor.[3][4]
Adebayo’s films are frequently noted for their emphasis on Yoruba culture, language, costume, and mythology, combining traditional themes with contemporary cinematic techniques.[3][1]
From 2016 to 2019, Adebayo served as Special Adviser on Arts, Culture, and Tourism to the Governor of Kwara State. In this role, he worked on initiatives aimed at strengthening cultural tourism and promoting the creative economy in the state.[1]
Adebayo has signed endorsement deals with several brands, including Samsung, Trophy, Trumpy, VG Pensions, Kpearl, and Modara. He has also participated in advertising campaigns for Coca-Cola and Peak, and previously served as a brand ambassador for StarTimes.[1][3]
Personal life
Adebayo married Omotayo Adebayo on 9 October 2016. Adebayo and his wife have one son. He also has three children from an earlier marriage.[5]
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