Draft:Mike Afolarin

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Mike Afolarin
Born (1993-09-01) 1 September 1993
Lagos State, Nigeria
CitizenshipNigerian
Alma mater
Occupations
  • Actor
  • filmmaker
Years active2013–present
Notable workFar From Home, Kasala

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

Early life

Afolarin attended Federal Government College, Ijanikin, Lagos State, for his secondary education. He later earned a bachelor's degree in economics from the University of Lagos in 2016.[4]

Career

In 2013, Afolarin made his acting debut in a stage play, Magic Time while studying at the University of Lagos.[5]

In 2018, Afolarin made his feature film debut in Kasala, directed by Emamode Edosio, alongside Chimezie Imo, Tomiwa Tegbe and Emeka Nwagbaraocha.[6]

In 2022, Afolarin gained wider recognition for his lead role in the Netflix television series, Far From Home.[7] In the same year, Afolarin portrayed Akinzo in the Funke Akindele and Tobi Makinde film Battle on Buka Street, released on 16 December 2022,[8] which became the second-highest-grossing film at the Nigerian box office and set a one-day record by grossing ₦135 million, according to the Vanguard.[9][10]

Afolarin has also appeared in Your Excellency (2019), Soólè (2021), The Wait (2021), Adire (2023), House of Ga'a (2024), Asiri Ade (2024), and Red Circle (2025).[11][12][13] [7]

Filmography

Year Title Role Notes/Ref
2017 Ajuwaya Set Design Directed by Tolu Lord Tanner
2018 Oyo State Investment Documentary Aerial Cinematographer Directed by Tolu Lord Tanner
We Tha Boyz Directed by Ema Edosio[14]
Kasala! Chikodi Directed by Ema Edosio[15][6][16]
Ajoche Young Odumu 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[17][5]
Your Excellency Tunde Ajadi Directed by Funke Akindele[18][19]
Brethren Kinto Directed by Lanre Olupona[20]
Peace Directed by Mike Afolarin
Stuck In Deep Mud Tamuno Directed by Charles Obi Emere
Blast Cameo 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) David Other casts are Theresa Edem, Joke Silva[21][22][23]
The Wait Essien Directed by Fiyin Gambo, Yemi Morafa[24][25]
Soole Maxwell Directed by Kayode Kasum[26][27]
2022 Battle on Buka Street Akinzo Directed by Funke Akindele[8][28][9]
Far From Home Ishaya Bello Netflix series directed by Catherine Stewart and Kayode Kasum[7][29]
Miss Bamidele's Girls Ezekiel Directed by Desmond Elliot[30][31]
2023 Adire Deji Directed by Adeoluwa Owu[32][33]
Anchor Gideon Directed by Ozioma B. Nwughala[34]
2024 Ajosepo Dapo Directed by Kayode Kasum[35]
Water and Garri Mide Directed by Meji Alabi, other casts include Tiwa Savage, Jemima Osunde[36][37]
House of Ga'a Oyemekun Directed by Bolanle Austen-Peters[38][11][39]
Boy Trouble Henry Directed by Taiwo Shittu
Bottom Line Steve Directed by Bryan Adekunle
Asiri Ade Directed by Adeoluwa Owu[12]
2025 A Lagos Love Story King Kator Directed by Naz Onuzo[40]

Awards and nominations

Nominations
Year Event Prize Recipient Result Ref.
2018 2018 Best of Nollywood Awards Revelation of the Year – Male Mike Afolarin Nominated [41][42]
2020 2020 Best of Nollywood Awards Revelation of the Year – Male Mike Afolarin Nominated [43][44]
2022 2022 The Future Awards Africa Acting Nominated [45]
2025 Africa Magic Viewers' Choice Awards Best Supporting Actor Mike Afolarin Nominated [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". The Punch. Retrieved 2024-07-02.
  5. Khiran, Nikki (2024-05-09). "NOLLYWOOD'S RISING STARS - LeVogue Magazine". Leadership. Retrieved 2024-07-02.
  6. "AFRIFF 2018: 'Kasala' di feem wey cinemas no gree show for Nigeria win top award". BBC News Pidgin. Retrieved 2024-07-02.
  7. 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. "'Battle on Buka Street' Takes Audiences on a Wild and Witty Ride". Nollywood Reporter. Retrieved 2024-07-02.
  9. "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. Lagos, Nigeria. Retrieved 2024-07-05.
  11. 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. Oloruntoyin, Faith (2024-02-13). "See more photos from Adeoluwa Owu's upcoming movie 'Asiri Ade'". Pulse Nigeria. Retrieved 2024-07-07.
  13. Nwajiaku, Vivian Nneka (2025-06-07). ""Red Circle" Review: Akay Mason's Energetic Thriller Delivers on Its Ambitions - Afrocritik". Retrieved 2025-06-15.
  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". Premium Times. 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". Premium Times. Retrieved 2024-07-02.
  26. Stephen, Onu (January 22, 2022). "Movie Review: 'Soole' is an ambitious roller coaster movie that is easily forgotten". Premium Times. 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". Premium Times. 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". Premium Times. 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. 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. 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". Premium Times. Retrieved 2024-07-02.
  44. "BON Awards Unveils 2020 Nominee List". Independent. Lagos, 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. Lagos, Nigeria. Retrieved 2025-05-15.