Mike Afolarin

Last updated
Mike Afolarin
Mike Afolarin.jpg
Born (1993-09-01) 1 September 1993 (age 31)
Lagos State, Nigeria
Citizenship Nigerian
Alma mater
Occupations
  • Actor
  • filmmaker
Years active2013–present
Notable work Far From Home, Kasala

Michael Oladapo Afolarin (born 1 September 1993) [1] professionally known as Mike Afolarin is a Nigerian actor and photographer. [2] [3]

Contents

Early life

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. [4]

Career

In 2013, Afolarin had his first experience with acting in a stage play, Magic Time during his time in the University of Lagos. [5]

In 2018 Afolarin made his cinema debut as one of the lead characters in Emamode Edosio’ Kasala starring Chimezie Imo, Tomiwa Tegbe and Emeka Nwagbaraocha. [6]

In 2022, Afolarin gained wide attention with his lead role in the Netflix television series, Far From Home. [7] The five-part series tells the story of Afolarin’s character, Ishaya, a talented and charismatic teenager from a poor family who is determined to become a famous artist, even if at the expense of his new found friendships and the safety of his family. [7]

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. [8] 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. [9] [10]

Additional movies Afolarin has starred in include, Your Excellency (2019), Soólè (2021), The Wait, Adire (2023) and House of Ga'a (2024), Asiri Ade (2024) directed by Adeoluwa Owu, and the crime thriller Red Circle (2025), directed by Akay Mason. [11] [12] [13] [7]

Filmography

YearTitleRoleNotes/Ref
2017 Ajuwaya Set DesignDirected by Tolu Lord Tanner
2018Oyo State Investment DocumentaryAerial CinematographerDirected by Tolu 'Lord Tanner'
We Tha BoyzDirected by Ema Edosio [14]
Kasala! ChikodiDirected by Ema Edosio [15] [6] [16]
AjocheYoung OdumuDirected by James Omokwe
The AccusedDirected by Muyiwa Aluko
An Interview StoryFrancisDirected by Mike Afolarin
2019Fortunately RidiculousNnamdiDirected by Olutobi Odunubi [17] [5]
Your Excellency Tunde AjadiDirected by Funke Akindele [18] [19]
BrethrenKintoDirected by Lanre Olupona [20]
PeaceDirected by Mike Afolarin
Stuck In Deep MudTamunoDirected by Charles Obi Emere
BlastCameoDirected by Tosin Ibitoye
The 3rd RuleDirected by God'spower Okoh
2020Inspector KIdrisDirected by Abiola Sobo
AARGH!FemiDirected by Kelvinmary Ndukwe
PenanceBenjaminDirected by Biodun Stephen
2021The Olive (TV series)DavidOther casts are Theresa Edem, Joke Silva [21] [22] [23]
The Wait EssienDirected by Fiyin Gambo, Yemi Morafa [24] [25]
Soole MaxwellDirected by Kayode Kasum [26] [27]
2022 Battle on Buka Street AkinzoDirected by Funke Akindele [8] [28] [9]
Far From Home Ishaya BelloNetflix series directed by Catherine Stewart and Kayode Kasum [7] [29]
Miss Bamidele's GirlsEzekielDirected by Desmond Elliot [30] [31]
2023 Adire DejiDirected by Adeoluwa Owu [32] [33]
AnchorGideonDirected by Ozioma B. Nwughala [34]
2024AjosepoDapoDirected by Kayode Kasum [35]
Water and GarriMideDirected by Meji Alabi, other casts include Tiwa Savage, Jemima Osunde [36] [37]
House of Ga'a OyemekunDirected by Bolanle Austen-Peters [38] [11] [39]
Boy TroubleHenryDirected by Taiwo Shittu
Bottom LineSteveDirected by Bryan Adekunle
Asiri AdeDirected by Adeoluwa Owu [12] TBD
2025A Lagos Love StoryKing KatorDirected by Naz Onuzo [40]

Awards and nominations

Nominations
YearEventPrizeRecipientResultRef.
2018 2018 Best of Nollywood Awards Revelation of the Year – maleMike AfolarinNominated [41] [42]
2020 2020 Best of Nollywood Awards Revelation of the Year – maleMike AfolarinNominated [43] [44]
2022 2022 The Future Awards Africa ActingNominated [45]
2025 Africa Magic Viewers' Choice Awards Best Supporting ActorMike AfolarinNominated [46]

See also

References

  1. ↑ Onu, Joy (2025-02-11). "50 Nollywood Young Actors Real Ages and Their Relationship Status - Ejimozy" . Retrieved 2025-05-12.
  2. ↑ TOPCHARTS (2024-02-13). "Mike Afolarin: Nollywood Superstar". Top Charts Africa. Retrieved 2024-07-02.
  3. ↑ BellaNaija.com (2025-04-11). "Meet Mike Afolarin: The Multi-Hyphenate Star Taking the World by Surprise | Get the Scoop". BellaNaija. Retrieved 2025-06-15.
  4. ↑ Famuwagun, Olamide (2023-01-17). "How school strike drove me into acting – Mike Afolarin". Punch Newspapers. Retrieved 2024-07-02.
  5. 1 2 Khiran, Nikki (2024-05-09). "NOLLYWOOD'S RISING STARS - LeVogue Magazine". Levogue Magazine. Retrieved 2024-07-02.
  6. 1 2 "AFRIFF 2018: 'Kasala' di feem wey cinemas no gree show for Nigeria win top award". BBC News Pidgin. Retrieved 2024-07-02.
  7. 1 2 3 4 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.
  8. 1 2 "'Battle on Buka Street' Takes Audiences on a Wild and Witty Ride". Nollywood Reporter. Retrieved 2024-07-02.
  9. 1 2 "Battle on Buka Street". Box Office Mojo. Retrieved 2024-07-02.
  10. ↑ 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.
  11. 1 2 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.
  12. 1 2 Oloruntoyin, Faith (2024-02-13). "See more photos from Adeoluwa Owu's upcoming movie 'Asiri Ade'". Pulse Nigeria. Retrieved 2024-07-07.
  13. ↑ Editor, The (2025-06-07). ""Red Circle" Review: Akay Mason's Energetic Thriller Delivers on Its Ambitions - Afrocritik" . Retrieved 2025-06-15.{{cite web}}: |last= has generic name (help)
  14. ↑ "We Tha Boyz". African Movie Channel Xtra. Retrieved 2024-07-02.
  15. ↑ Lawal, Babatunde (2022-09-16). "Movie recommendation for the week: Ema Edosio's Kasala (2018)". Pulse Nigeria. Retrieved 2024-07-02.
  16. ↑ "Meet The Nigerian New Wave Director Behind the Film 'Kasala!' - Okayplayer". www.okayafrica.com. Retrieved 2024-07-02.
  17. ↑ Penboy Production - Shorts (2020-01-09). Fortunately Ridiculous (2019) . Retrieved 2024-07-02– via YouTube.
  18. ↑ Ihejirika, Uzoma (2023-03-10). "AV Club: 'Your Excellency' Encapsulates the Power of Media in the Political Arena". The NATIVE. Retrieved 2024-07-02.
  19. ↑ 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.
  20. ↑ "MultiChoice Studios - Brethren". www.multichoicestudios.com. Retrieved 2024-07-02.
  21. ↑ 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.
  22. ↑ 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.
  23. ↑ EM (2023-04-09). "The Olive Season 2 Premiere Starring Derby Frankson • Exquisite Magazine - Fashion, Beauty And Lifestyle". exquisitemag.com. Retrieved 2024-07-02.
  24. ↑ 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.
  25. ↑ Shola-Adido, Oladotun (January 21, 2023). "MOVIE REVIEW: The Wait: Emotional love letter to Nigerian women". www.premiumtimesng.com. Retrieved 2024-07-02.
  26. ↑ 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.
  27. ↑ Okechukwu, Daniel. "Kayode Kasum On Soole And Escaping Death While Shooting". www.innollywood.com. Retrieved 2024-07-02.
  28. ↑ 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.
  29. ↑ BellaNaija.com (2022-12-14). "BN Red Carpet Fab: Netflix's "Far From Home" World Premiere". BellaNaija. Retrieved 2024-07-02.
  30. ↑ "Miss Bamidele's Girls (2022)". The A.V. Club. Retrieved 2024-07-02.
  31. ↑ "Watch Miss Bamidele's Girls Streaming Online | Showmax". @showmax. Retrieved 2024-07-02.
  32. ↑ Shola-Adido, Oladotun (January 28, 2024). "MOVIE REVIEW: Adire: Solid tale of redemption marred by predictable storyline". www.premiumtimesng.com. Retrieved 2024-07-02.
  33. ↑ ""Adire" Is An Empowering Tale of Transformation and Friendship". Nollywood Reporter. Retrieved 2024-07-02.
  34. ↑ Nwughala, Ozioma B. (2023-05-11), Anchor (Drama), Mike Afolarin, Sharon Agwunobi, Bimbo Akintola, Rok Studios, Triple One Productions, retrieved 2024-07-02
  35. ↑ "'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.
  36. ↑ 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.
  37. ↑ Onu, Stephen (2024-05-12). "MOVIE REVIEW: Tiwa Savage's Water & Garri movie lacks 'sugar'". Premium Times Nigeria. Retrieved 2024-07-02.
  38. ↑ 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.
  39. ↑ Udodiong, Inemesit (2023-05-29). "Bolanle Austin-Peters teases her new film 'House of Ga'a'". Pulse Nigeria. Retrieved 2024-07-02.
  40. ↑ "A Lagos Love Story - Nollywire". 2025-04-02. Retrieved 2025-04-28.
  41. ↑ 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.
  42. ↑ Bada, Gbenga (2018-12-09). "BON Awards 2018: Mercy Aigbe, Tana Adelana shine at 10th edition". Pulse Nigeria. Retrieved 2024-07-02.
  43. ↑ Jayne, Augoye (December 2, 2020). "2020 BON: Here are 5 nominees for 'Best Kiss' category". www.premiumtimesng.com. Retrieved 2024-07-02.
  44. ↑ "BON Awards Unveils 2020 Nominee List – Independent Newspaper Nigeria". 2020-11-15. Retrieved 2024-07-02.
  45. ↑ 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.
  46. ↑ Udugba, Anthony (2025-03-23). "Here is the full list of 2025 AMVCA nominees". Businessday NG. Retrieved 2025-05-15.
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