Kola Oyewo is a well-known Nigerian actor, dramatist, and scholar, born on March 27th, 1946 in Oba Ile, located in the southwestern state of Osun. After obtaining a certificate in dramatic arts and Yoruba oral literature from Obafemi Awolowo University, he earned a Bachelor of Arts (B.A.) degree in Theatre Arts in 1995. He later earned a Master of Arts (M.A.) and a Ph.D. in drama from the University of Ibadan.
Growing up, Kola was born into a family of farmers in a small town where he grew up with many friends and attended school together. His farming family also happened to be a royal family, and as such Kola lived in the palace whilst growing up with his uncle who was once the king.
Oyewo is best known for his portrayal of “Odewale” in The Gods Are Not To Blamed, a drama by Ola Rotimi. He joined the services of Obafemi Awolowo University in 1996, where he eventually became a senior lecturer until his retirement in September 2011. Following his retirement, he became head of the Department of dramatic arts at Redeemer’s University and currently serves as a performing arts lecturer at Elizade University in Ilara-Mokin, Ondo State.
Oyewo began his professional acting career in 1964 with the “Oyin Adejobi theatre group,” Oyewo started his career as an actor with the popular Yoruba travelling theatre group, Oyin Adejobi, in Osogbo, Osun State. He earned his first role as Adejare in Orogun Adedigba, which was based on Oyin Adejobi’s autobiography.
According to Kola, he started acting after seeing a poster advertising trainee actors and actresses for Papa Oyin Adejobi’s theatre group. The audition required singing, drumming, dancing, and acting skills to determine the area where applicants would be useful. He applied and that was his big break. After nine years with the group, Kola then moved to join the University of Ife Theatre under Ola Rotimi in 1973. In 1973, he joined the Ori Olokun Cultural Studies at the University of Ife, which is now Obafemi Awolowo University. The theatre group moved onto the campus and changed its name to Awo varsity theatre along with the university.
Higher education could have just been an afterthought for Kola as he was compelled to pursue academia after management at Ori Olokun Cultural Centre announced that those without a university degree would be laid off as they do not fit into the description of theatre arts to be pursued. This was when late Prof Ola Rotimi left and was replaced by Prof Wole Soyinka. Encouraged by colleagues and professors like Femi Osofisan, Kola Oyewo worked hard to obtain a degree in Theatre Art to avoid losing his spot in the group. He was later encouraged to pursue a master’s degree and PhD by Professor Femi Osofisan who was his undergraduate supervisor.
Oyewo became a father at a young age and had a child when he was 21. Six months after his birth, the child died. Years later, he and his wife had another male child who they named Adewale (the crown has come home). He has since had another four boys.
He loves the songs of Fela, KSA, Orlando Owoh and Sikiru Ayinde Barrister in that order. His father, Mr. Bamgbola Oyewo, was an Egungun dancer (masquerader) from whom he learnt patience.
Oyewo is a recipient of the City People Movie Special Recognition Award.
DAWN Commission celebrates KUNLE OYEWO as a true Akikanju.