Over the past few years, Nollywood has become a prolific source of box office blockbusters. Ayinla, played by Lateef Adedimeji, was one of such smash hits. The movie, which follows the story of the late iconic musician Ayinla Yusuf, popularly known as Ayinla Omowura, hit the cinemas on June 18th, 2021.
Shot in Abeokuta, the biopic produced by Tunde Kelani, tracks Ayinla’s rise to fame and his tragic end. But Lateef Adedimeji brought the enigma to life, fondly called Egunmogaji or Anigilaje. However, it was tough walking in the shoes of the Alapala.
“It was difficult,” he said.
“It was actually very tough because I am not a fan of Apala music. I even hardly listened to Apala music until I got the script. So, when I went through the script, and I saw that I’m actually gonna be singing, it was tough.”
Lateef Adedimeji’s initial misgivings fell away once he researched the part, finding his way toward Ayinla Omowura as a scholar would.
“I became a fan, and I developed the habit of listening to Apala music,” he said.
“I started listening to all the songs, and there wasn’t any documentation of Ayinla. So, all of my characterization and mannerisms were put together by simply listening to his songs and reading about him.”
There are vast corridors that have been carved that led him to an understanding of the man’s life, both through the great riches of his songs and all the contemporary accounts and articles. The minute he approached him, he felt accessible. Ayinla drew Lateef Adedimeji closer to him.
“It was a standard production that required some level of research,” he said.
“I had to go to the area where Ayinla lived to find out more things about him and all of that. That was how I could pull it. The musical part was very tough for me. It was not so easy at all, but I’m glad I could do it.”
Ayinla, which also stars Omawumi Dada, Kunle Afolayan, Bimbo Manuel, Debo Macaroni, Ade Laoye and many others, is Lateef Adedimeji’s best movie yet.
“If you look at it, I’ve featured in a lot of amazing movies, but Ayinla was on another level entirely, in a way apart from others,” he said.
We present Lateef Adedimeji’s biography.
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How old is Lateef Adedimeji?
Abdullateef Adetola Adedimeji, better known as Lateef Adedimeji, is 37. He was born on February 1st, 1986, in Isolo, Lagos State. He is a native of Abeokuta, Ogun State.
His parents are Alhaja Adedimeji Judirat and Alhaji Adedimeji. He was born on August 1st, 1951. In 2021, he turned 70. However, nothing else is known about them.
Lateef Adedimeji is the fourth of six children of his parents. And he sometimes exhibits some feminine traits, no thanks to growing up among women.
“That is the way I am,” he said.
“I grew up amid so many women. There are sisters in the front and back. I’m in the middle. So, that’s me naturally.”
So, naturally, has he been approached by a gay?
“I think it happened on one or two occasions, and I cursed them because I feel being gay is madness. Anyway, I am not like that.”
But that gives room for any kind of misconception about him.
“Of course, there have been a lot of misconceptions about me, but that’s their problem,” he said.
“There is freedom of expression, and people can say what they want. What is important is to know yourself and stick to what you do, and you would prosper.”
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Lateef Adedimeji: Education
Lateef Adedimeji went to Ire Akari Primary School, Isolo, Lagos. He then proceeded to Ilamoye Grammar School Okota in the same city for his secondary school education. The budding actor attended a performance studio workshop at Onikan, where he had his performance training.
His writing and acting skills were developed in training organized by Community Life Project, a non-governmental organization based in Lagos. Lateef Adedimeji graduated from Olabisi Onabanjo University, Ago Iwoye, Ogun State, in 2007. He read Mass Communication.
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Lateef Adedimeji: Career
When he started appearing in his secondary school dramas at 15, the thought of pursuing his passion for acting grew. Watching veteran actor Antar Laniyan on screen also fueled his interest in the profession. When he joined Orisun TV in 2007, his career grew wings.
“My acting started in 1999. I’ve been in the industry for quite some time, so basically, I love it,” he said.
“It’s something that I started in my secondary school, having been trained by a non-governmental organization to be an educator and counsellor through dance and songs. But in the long run.
“I realized that this is something that gives me money. And if I have this talent, what is the essence of my going elsewhere? Let me just start making money from it.”
He not only made money but became famous when he was selected to portray one of the lead roles in the movie Kudi Klepto, a movie produced by Yewande Adekoya. How he stayed in character throughout the film was commendable.
Kudi Klepto revealed Lateef Adedimeji, Emerging Young Actor, to be Lateef Adedimeji, Legend in the Making. However, his appearance in the Airtel TV commercial was a turning point in showcasing him to the world.
“Yes, it was a turning point because, at first, it came like a model job that I needed to do an advert for,” he said.
“Also, the second time was like that. And then, when it came the third time, they were like ‘many people love what you are doing, so let’s make you our ambassador’ and that was it.”
Since then, the actor has been playing different roles in several movies and television programmes. And his sense of humour has really come in handy.
“At first, nobody sees me as a comic actor. Everybody says he always plays a serious role, ‘he plays a mumu kind of role’ and all of that,” he said.
“And at a point in time, that emotional role keeps coming. Then I needed to make people understand the fact that I’ve got this inside of me already as well. So, I had to switch at some point and turned down emotional roles and picked up comedy roles so that people can see that part of me too.
“All is balanced now, and you can actually call me on anyone and ask me to fit into it.”
Lateef Adedimeji has worked alongside top practitioners in Nollywood, including Jike Kosoko, Odunlade Adekola, Funke Akindele, Eniola Badmus, Toyin Abraham, Bisola Badmus, Iya Rainbow, Bolanle Ninalowo and many more. With this impressive profile, he should be able to point out the challenges inherent in the industry.
“The major challenge is that we don’t think outside the box,” he said.
“We need to challenge ourselves; we don’t need to limit ourselves and then think that the minute fame comes, we don’t need to improve again. The more fame, the more we need a lot of improvement so that the fame can match up.
“It’s just a lot of work for actors; as the fame grows, the expectations get high. Then, match up to that high expectation so that there can be a balance.”
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Lateef Adedimeji’s Filmography
His major break as an actor came when he played the lead role in Yewande Adekoya’s 2013 movie titled Kudi Klepto. His near-perfect interpretation of his role left a lasting impression on the audience. Here are some of his movies.
Kudi Klepto (2015)
Yeye Oge (2016)
Once Upon a Time (2017)
Ilu Ominira (2018)
Bina Baku (2019)
Depth (2019)
Koto (2019)
Igi Aladi (2019)
Adebimpe Omooba (2019)
The New Patriots (2020)
Veil (2020)
Breaded Life (2021)
Dwindle (2021)
Ayinla (2021)
Progressive Tailors Club (2021)
Love Castle (2021)
A Naija Christmas (2021)
King of Thieves (2022)
Strangers (2022)
Ile Alayo (2022)
Lateef Adedimeji’s Awards and Nominations
For someone so talented and hardworking like Lateef Adedimeji, winning awards come as no surprise. Below are some awards in his cabinet at home.
2014 – Best Actor, Odua Movie Awards
2015 – Best Actor, Heritage Award; Most Promising Actor of the Year (nominated), Best of Nollywood Awards; Best Actor in a Lead Role (nominated), Best of Nollywood Awards
2016 – Best Supporting Actor of the Year (Yoruba), City People Entertainment Award; Best Actor of the Year Under-30; Best Actor in a supporting role, Best of Nollywood Awards
2018 – Best Actor of the Year, City People Entertainment Award
2019 – Best Supporting Actor, Best of Nollywood Awards
2021 – Best Actor in a Leading Role (nominated), Africa Movie Academy Awards
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Lateef Adedimeji’s Wife
On December 18th 2021, Lateef Adedimeji married fellow practitioner Oyebade Adebimpe, better known as Mo Bimpe. The actress, model, social media influencer, and media personality was born on March 23rd 1997, in Ijero Ekiti, Ekiti State.
Ikole Ekiti played host to the couple’s traditional wedding, while the white wedding ceremony took place in Lagos a few weeks later.
They met while filming Adebimpe Omooba.
“We met on a movie set,” he concurred.
“It was just both of us getting together and working. And at a point, we discovered people appreciated and loved seeing us working together. So, it just happened.”
Divorce might “just happen” too, like some unions in the industry. So, one wonders how he intends to rewrite the script.
“What is important is that there must be a clear understanding between the couples,” he said.
“Learn to be friends and be open to each other. No one should feel superior to the other. See yourselves as one and tell yourselves everything. You will definitely fight and argue.
“Of course, that’s certain, but be sure that after the argument, both of you reach a conclusion. Solve your problems indoors; everything should not be put on social media. Keep an unsatisfactory life and be open with your spouse.
“My wife and I both write all the things we want and do not want, exchange them, read them out to each other, and make sure that we keep to them. With this, we get to know each other better.”
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Lateef Adedimeji’s Wedding Pictures
Two years before Lateef Adedimeji got married, his wedding pictures circulated on the internet. However, the picture of him dressed as a groom was from the movie Adebimpe Omooba.
On December 18th 2021, the true wedding pictures emerged!
Lateef Adedimeji’s First Wife
“Pictures tell wrong stories”, is not a quote from Lateef Adedimeji. It’s his reality, though. His image with actress Oyinkansola Elebuibon gave birth to the rumour that he had a wife before marrying Mo Bimpe.
Lateef Adedimeji has no first wife or second wife but only one wife… for now!
Lateef Adedimeji’s Child
He has not yet fathered a child, but he hopes to “have just three children by the grace of God”. In 2018, the rumour mills ‘answered’ his prayers! It went agog with the news that he had a child with the American-born Yoruba actress Oyinkansola Elebuibon.
Before you say “Oyinkansola Elebuibon again” while twisting your tongue in the process and thinking “there’s no smoke without fire”, relax. She refuted the story, claiming she had no romantic dealings with the actor.
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Lateef Adedimeji’s Net worth
His estimated net worth is $2 million. He earns a fortune from his various film and television roles, endorsement deals and other sources we are not aware of.
Lateef Adedimeji’s House
After walking down the aisle with Mo Bimpe, he purchased a mansion in an unmentioned but nice area of Lagos.
Lateef Adedimeji’s Cars
He must be the owner of luxury vehicles, which he does not parade, so it becomes hard to tell what he has in his garage. For someone who describes himself as “unpredictable”, showing off his house and not his cars fit the bill.
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Lateef Adedimeji’s Social media accounts
You can hook up with the actor on Instagram via @adedimejilateef and on Twitter with @TheDimejLateef.
Conclusion
Lateef Adedimeji has grown from a waka pass actor to a lead character in several movies. He’s one of the few actors who have crisscrossed the indigenous and English movies.
“What is basic is the discipline, strength and focus you put into the job,” he said.
“And if you look at the Yoruba angle all the time, the drilling is very unbelievable. Taking that learning process into the other world is actually a very good one. When you get into the other world, you see more discipline. So, putting the two together, it is just right for you to just give it all your best, all of your time.”
All the time.
FAQS about Lateef Oladimeji Biography
Who is the wife of Lateef Oladimeji?
He’s married to the actress Adebimpe Oyebade, also known as Mo Bimpe.
Which state is Lateef Adedimeji from?
Lateef Adedimeji is from Abeokuta in Ogun State.
How many children did Lateef Adedimeji have?
He doesn’t have any for now.
What is the relationship between Mo Bimpe and Lateef Adedimeji?
What is the relationship between Mo Bimpe and Lateef Adedimeji?
Is it true that Lateef Adedimeji is married?
Yes, the actor is married.
Where did Lateef Adedimeji hail from?
He was born in Isolo, Lagos, but hails from Abeokuta, Ogun.
How can I get in touch with Lateef Adedimeji?
If you’re badly in need of his phone number, please contact his management. Otherwise, stay in touch with him through his social media accounts.
Who owns Adefits?
The clothing line is owned by the Adedimejis.
Who is Lateef Adedimeji’s biography?
Adetola Abdullateef Adedimeji is a Nigerian actor and filmmaker. His birth date was February 1st 1986. He shot into the limelight in Yewande Adekoya’s 2013 movie titled Kudi Klepto. He has acted in over 100 movies since he began close to two decades ago.
