Meet 10 popular people from Ondo State

News360 Nigeria lists the top 10 Nigerian celebrities who are natives of Ondo State state in southwest Nigeria.

Ondo State is one of the 36 States in Nigeria, Akure serves as its capital and largest city.

The state is home to over 3 million people, the majority of whom are Christians, and is primarily inhabited by Yoruba-speaking Nigerians.

It was dubbed the “Sunshine State” when it was formed on February 3rd, 1976, from the former Western State. The petroleum sector is the main driver of the state economy.

Other aspects of the state’s economy include the production of cocoa, asphalt, and activities associated with its vast coastline. It is the location of the Idanre inselberg Hills, prestigious educational institutions, and well-known national figures.

Ondo people are renowned for their friendliness and warmth, which makes guests feel at home and welcome. They are also regarded as well-known figures in a variety of industries, including politics, sports, education, and the entertainment sector.

1. Yemi Alade

Yemi Eberechi Alade is an Ondo State-born award-winning afropop singer. She is renowned for fusing pop, R&B, dancehall, highlife, and Afropop in her songs.

She was born on March 13, 1989, into a multi-ethnic household. After winning the Peak Talent Show in 2009, she released her hit song “Johnny” in 2014.

Since then, she has released a number of songs, for which she has received numerous honors and recognitions both inside and outside of Nigeria.

2. Ayo Makun (AY)

Actor, comedian, radio and TV host, writer, producer, and director of films, Ayodeji Richard Makun, better known by his stage name A.Y, hails from Nigeria.

He was born on August 19, 1971, and is a native of Ifon, Ose local government in Ondo State.

He has hosted a variety of TV shows, including the A.Y. comedy skits and live shows. He graduated from Delta State University, Abraka, with a degree in theater arts. He was previously appointed a UN Ambassador and serves as the CEO of Corporate World Entertainment Nigeria.

3. Omotola Jalade

Omotola Jalade Ekeinde is a seasoned Nollywood actress, singer and philantropist.

Despite being born in Lagos on February 7, 1978, she is originally from Ondo State. She has received a national honor as a Member of the Order of the Federal Republic (MFR).

Along with having appeared in more than 300 movies, she has gained a sizable following on social media. She is married with kids and attended Yaba College of Technology to study estate management.

4. Victor Boniface

Ondo state is home to renowned football striker Victor Okoh Boniface.

He is a player for Bayer Leverkusen of the Bundesliga and the Nigerian national team. He attended T-Chis International School for his early education after being born in Akure on December 30, 2000.

He was a member of the Nigerian team that competed in the Africa Cup of Nations in Ivory Coast in 2023.

5. Akpororo

Akpororo, real name Bowoto Jephthah Oluwatiseyifumi, is a well-known stand-up comedian, actor, and singer. Tanimola is an indigene of Ilaje in Ondo State. He received his early schooling and was born and reared in Warri, Delta State.

He was honored with a Golden Icons Academy Movie Award for his exceptional work in show business.

He is married to Josephine Ijeoma Abraham and graduated from the University of Lagos with a degree in sociology.

6. Jibola Dabo

Jibola Dabo is another veteran actor from Ondo State. At the Zuma Film Festival (ZUFF), he was named the Best Actor of the Year.

He is from Owo, Ondo State, and holds a master’s degree in mass media from Columbia State University and a bachelor’s degree in fine arts from the University of Lagos.

7. King Sunny Ade

Sunday Adeniyi Adegeye MFR, a.k.a. King Sunny Ade, is a renowned Nigerian jùjú singer, songwriter, and multi-instrumentalist.

Despite being from Ondo State, he was born on September 22, 1946, in Oshogbo. He is the first musician from Nigeria to be recognized internationally and to receive a Grammy nomination.

He established the King Sunny Ade Foundation, which has a performing arts center, a cutting-edge recording studio, and housing for aspiring musicians. He also chairs the Musical Copyright Society of Nigeria.

In addition to being an Order of the Federal Republic recipient, he lectures as a visiting lecturer at Obafemi Awolowo University in Ile-Ife.

8. Simi

Simi is a Nigerian singer from Ondo State, whose real name is Simisola Bolatito Kosoko.

She was raised in Ojuelegba, a Lagos State suburb of Surulere, and attended Covenant University, where she graduated with a degree in mass communication, on April 19, 1988.

She rose to popularity in 2014 after releasing the song “Tiff,” which was nominated for Best Alternative Song at the 2015 Headies. She was one of the top judges on the seventh season of the Nigerian idol TV show in 2022.

She is married to Adekunle Gold, another popular musician.

9. Shola Sobowale

Actress, director, screenwriter, and producer Sola Sobowale hails from Ondo State in Nigerian film industry.

She is a brand ambassador for the mattress manufacturer Mouka. Prior to her rise to fame, she acted in a number of television shows, including Super Story, The Village Headmaster, Mirror in the Sun, the Yoruba film Asewo To Re Mecca, and the highly anticipated 2018 film King of Boys.

Throughout the years, she has also directed and produced a number of films. She is married and has four children.

10. Funsho Adeolu

Funsho Adeolu is a Nollywood actor from Ondo state. Born on May 9, 1968, he attended Baptist Academy for his early schooling.

He starred in the 2012 drama film Heroes and Zeroes, produced in Nigeria, and was recognized with multiple film awards for his roles. He is married to Victoria Adeolu and the marriage is blessed with children.