WCW

Omotola Jalade Ekeinde was born on February 7, 1978, to Oluwashola Jalade and Oluwatoyin Jalade. Originally from Ondo State, she was raised in Lagos with her family.
Omotola Jalade Ekeinde’s educational journey began at Chrisland School, Opebi, Lagos, where she attended from 1981 to 1987 before completing her primary education at Oxford Children School in 1987. For her secondary education, she enrolled at Santos Layout and later attended Command Secondary School in Kaduna.
After completing her secondary education, Omotola briefly studied at Obafemi Awolowo University before ultimately pursuing a degree in Estate Management at Yaba College of Technology, Yaba, where she studied from 1996 to 2004.

As a young girl, Omotola’s aspiration was to pursue a career in business management and work in a professional business setting. Little did she know, fate had grander plans in store for her.
While awaiting admission into the university, Omotola ventured into modeling to fill her time and support herself financially. It was during this period that she accompanied a friend to a movie audition, where serendipitously, she landed a role. This unexpected opportunity marked the beginning of her journey into the world of acting.
Omotola began her acting journey in 1995 with roles in “Venom of Justice” and “Mortal Inheritance.” Since then, she has starred in numerous successful films, including “Blood Sister,” “Games Women Play,” and “My Story.” Notably, she made her cinematic debut in the 2010 movie “Ije,” alongside Genevieve Nnaji.

Recognized as Africa’s top box office actress, Omotola has appeared in over 200 movies, showcasing her remarkable talent and versatility. She made history as the first Nigerian celebrity to feature in Time Magazine, earning a place alongside global icons like Michelle Obama and Kim Kardashian.
In early 2013, Omotola elevated her career by joining the cast of VH1’s scripted series “Hit the Floor.”
Following the opening of the 73rd UN General Assembly, she was honored as one of the top 100 influential people in Africa by MIPAD in New York City.

In 2014, Omotola received recognition from the Nigerian government as a member of the Order of the Federal Republic MFR for her outstanding contributions to Nigeria through entertainment and humanitarian endeavors.

Beyond her acting pursuits, Omotola has explored her musical talents. In 2004, she delved into the music industry and debuted as a singer with her first album, “GBA,” released in 2005. This album featured a collection of 10 songs, including popular tracks like “Naija Lowa” and “The Things You Do To Me.”
In 2010, she continued her musical journey with the release of her second album, “Me, Myself and Eyes,” produced by Paul Play and Del B. Noteworthy songs from this album included “Feel Alright,” featuring Harrysong, and “Through the Fire” by Uche. Remarkably, one of the tracks from this album, “Barren Land,” gained recognition from Amnesty International, a London-based non-governmental organization focusing on human rights.
In 2012, Omotola took a pioneering step in Nigerian entertainment by launching her own reality show titled “Omotola: The Real Me.” This groundbreaking move made her the first Nigerian celebrity to star in her own reality series. Airing on Africa Magic Entertainment, a subsidiary of M-net on DStv, the show provided fans with an intimate and exclusive glimpse into her personal life.

Omotola expanded her impact by launching the Omotola Youth Empowerment Program (OYEP). This initiative, dedicated to the memory of her late mother, has undertaken various activities aimed at empowering Nigerian youth. These efforts include organizing empowerment walks and conventions that bring together hundreds of young people. Notably, one of the NGO’s notable projects is the “20 Widows Makeover,” which aims to support and uplift widows in the community.

Omotola Jalade Ekeinde’s awards include:
Best Actress English at The Movie Awards (1997)
Best Actress Overall at The Movie Awards (1997)
Best Actress at the City People Awards for Excellence (2004)
Best Actress & Grand Achiever at Global Excellence Recognition Awards (2004)
Best Actress-Africa Collaboration at Ghana Movie Awards (2011)
Actress of the Year at Eloy Awards (2012)
Pan African Best Actress at Screen Nation Awards (2012)
GIAMA Humanitarian Award at Golden Icons Academy Movie Awards (2012)
Omotola Jalade Ekeinde is happily married to Captain Matthew Ekeinde, a distinguished pilot, and together they are proud parents of four children.