Femi Adebayo

He has appeared in more than 500 films and has been active in the Nigerian film industry since the 1990s.

Femi Adebayo studied at University of Ilorin and University of Ibadan. The recorded working language is English, Yoruba and Nigerian Pidgin. The field of work recorded is theater arts. Places of work recorded in the authority are Lagos. Works named in the authority record are Jagun Jagun, Seven Doors, King of Thieves and Kesari.

• Name — Femi Adebayo • Born — 31 December 1976 • Birthplace — Ilorin, Kwara State • Other Names — Jelili, Sonto Alapata, Ogundiji • Citizenship — Nigeria • Education — * University of Ibadan • University of Ilorin • Occupation — * Actor • Director • Producer • Politician • Lawyer • Children — 4 • Father — Adebayo Salami • Relatives — Tope Adebayo Sodiq Adebayo • Years Active — 1985–present • Spouse — Omotayo Adebayo

Femi Adebayo was born on 31 December 1976 in Ilorin, Kwara State to Adebayo Salami and Alhaja Risikat Ejide. 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. 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.

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. 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. In 2021, he established Euphoria360 Media, a production company responsible for several large-scale Yoruba-language productions, including King of Thieves (Agesinkole), Jagun Jagun, and Seven Doors. 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. In 2023, Adebayo produced the Netflix Original epic Jagun Jagun, directed by Tope Adebayo and Adebayo Tijani. The film ranked among Netflix’s top ten non-English films globally and received multiple nominations across major Nigerian award platforms, including the Africa Magic Viewers' Choice Awards, Africa Movie Academy Awards, and Best of Nollywood Awards. 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. Adebayo’s films are frequently noted for their emphasis on Yoruba culture, language, costume, and mythology, combining traditional themes with contemporary cinematic techniques. 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. 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.

Adebayo married Omotayo Adebayo on 9 October 2016. Adebayo and his wife have one son. He also has three children from an earlier marriage.

• Year — Film — Role • 2025 — Labake Olododo • 2024 — Lisabi: The Uprising — Olu Olodan • Seven Doors — king Adedunjoye • Beast of Two Worlds — Ade Apa Igala • Queen Lateefah • Lakatabu — Muyiwa • Crossroads — Egunkemi • House of Ga'a — Olukuoye • 2023 — Ijogbon — Head of Amoteku • Mikolo — Babablu • Jagun Jagun — Ogundiji • World Famous — Pastor • Diety — Komokomo • 2022 — Maleeka — Kunle • King of Thieves — Adeshikoye/Adeoye • 2021 — cordelia — Rasaki • Ile Alayo • Ete — Deji • Love Castle — Chief Balogun • Progressive Tailors Club — Agbabiaka • The Cokers — Doctor • Charge and Bail — Whole Adetutu • Charlie Charlie • 2020 — The Miracle Centre • Special Jollof • Unroyal — Royal Suitor • Mama Drama — Dotun • 2019 — Jumbled — Yinka • Survival of Jelili — Jelili • Diamonds in the Sky — Kayode • Mokalik — Mr. Ogidan • 2018 — The Island — kola • The Ghost and the Tout — Dayo • Heaven on My Mind — Soji • 2017 — Sola Arikusa • 2014 — October 1 — Banji • 2013 — Ayitale — Aderopo • 2011 — Jelili — Jelili • 2009 — Apaadi • 1996 — Owo Blow — Wole Owolabi

His recorded languages were English, Yoruba and Nigerian Pidgin. His recorded confession was Islam. He was the child of Adebayo Salami.

Femi Adebayo is recorded as actor, lawyer, film director, special adviser and film producer.