Abiodun was born on February 3rd, 1941 into a royal family in Ijan-Ekiti in Nigeria’s Ekiti State, thus making her a princess of Yoruba heritage. Initially interested in becoming a nurse, on completing her secondary education in 1963, she joined the Mbari Mbayo Theatre Group run by the late Duro Ladipo, and soon became the head of the women’s group. In 1964, she married Ladipo. A permanent member of the troupe, she gained fame as an actress, taking the main roles in all the plays performed by the company.
She acted in her husband’s epic plays and was particularly successful in the role of Oya in Oba Koso and in the theatrical role of Moremi. In the 1960s and 1970s, she performed as an actress or singer in theatre and music festivals, including at Berlin’s Festspiele (1964), London’s Commonwealth Arts Festival (1965), the Festival mondial du théâtre de Nancy (1973) and also the Yoruba Festival in Zurich (1973). She also appeared in Belgrade, at Iran’s Shiraz Arts Festival and also the Arts Festival in Rome.
Her husband, Duro Ladipo a renowned Nigerian actor, playwright, and musicologist died on March 11th, 1978. His family organized a week-long commemoration of his death, including the launch of the Duro Ladipo Monument and stage performances of his works. The new film “Moremi Ajasoro” was also premiered.
Following her husband’s death, Abiodun managed the theatre company, an unusual task for women at the time. While she preferred stage productions, she was increasingly forced to turn to television, appearing in the musical series Oya Sings (1979) and the drama series B’Inaku (1981). Other television productions included Oyinbo Ajele (1986), Esentaye (1997) and Ayelaagbe (1998), all in support of traditional culture when threatened by colonialism. Her film appearances are based on her earlier stage roles. They include Erelu in Aropin n’Teniyan, Iya Ewe in Ija Orugun and, above all, the title role in Moremi. In 2017, she directed a new version of Moremi, the film titled Moremi Ajasoro.
She is keen to ensure that significant work is documented and she has been collecting newspaper articles about Yorùbá travelling theatre and in particular the Duro Lapido Theatre since 1964. She has a large collection of costumes and memorabilia.
Abiodun Duro-Ladipo is one of the few Nigerian actresses that have left her footprint already in the Nigerian film industry, considering how influential she has been in recent years. Abiodun Duro-Ladipo’s personal life, career and so many other achievements in the past have made her so famous both in Nigeria and Africa.
DAWN Commission celebrates Mama Abiodun Duro-Ladipo as a strong, hale and hearty AKIKANJU at 83 years of age.
Sources: CityPeople and Schoolings.