Top 10 Most Influential UI Alumni

University of Ibadan popularly known as UI is a citadel of learning that envisions academic excellence as a way of meeting societal needs. Over the years, Unibadan has been able to keep up with its vision to date and contribute to the political, industrial, cultural, economic development of Nigeria, by procreating students who are both academically and morally outstanding.

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Millions of students have traversed Unibadan and it still portrays excellence. We will bring to you 10 Unibadan alumni that bear the emblem “Excellence”.

10. WOLE SOYINKA

Akinwande Oluwole Babatunde Soyinka popularly known as Wole Soyinka. He was born on the 13th of July, 1934. He is one of the students that attended the University College Ibadan in 1954

Wole Soyinka is an English language playwright, novelist, poet, and essayist. He wrote “The Year of Childhood, Chronicles from the land of happiness, Death and The King horseman, You must Set Forth at Dawn, The lion and the Jewel” and so on.

In 1986, he was the first sub-Saharan African to be awarded the Nobel Prize for Literature. He procured a dynamic position in Nigeria. He is unarguably one of the legends in Nigeria’s history

9. SOLA SOBOWALE

Sola Sobowale is a renowned Nigerian film actress. She is a screenwriter, producer, and director. Sola was born on the 26th of December, 1963.

Initially, she enrolled in the University of Ibadan to study music but due to her passion for acting, she changed to theatre arts.

Among influential actresses in Nigeria and even West Africa, Sola is popular. The Ondo-born actress graced the Nollywood screen through Asewo to re Mecca in 1992. She rose to stardom with the Nigeria TV series, Super Story (Oh My Father, Oh My Daughter). She has gained more popularity through the movie, King of Boys and its sequel.

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8. W. F. KUMUYI

Williams Folorunsho Kumuyi popularly known as W. F. Kumuyi is the general superintendent and founder of Deeper Christian Life Ministry. He was born on 6th June 1941.

W. F. graduated with a first-class honors degree in mathematics in 1967.

He has written many books amongst which are; the hour of decision, how to know God’s will in marriage, and higher every day. He was once a teacher of Mathematics at his alma mater, Mayflower school.

7. DR SID

Sidney Onoriode Esiri, popularly known as Dr. Sid was born on the 1st of May, 1980. He is a qualified Dentist.

Sid studied Dentistry and Dental surgery at the University of Ibadan. He relocated to the UK and started his career in music.

He is a Nigerian singer and is now with Mavins Records. He is married to Simi Osomo. He is currently one of the richest and most influential artists in Nigeria’s Music industry.

6. ENIOLA BADMUS

Eniola Badmus is a Nigerian Professional film actress, scriptwriter, entertainer, and social media influencer. Eniola was born on 7th September 1977.

She studied Theatre Arts at the University of Ibadan. She came into the limelight in the year 2008 after she featured in the movie Jenifa and won the best actress in a leading role of Nollywood movies award in 2012.

5. BEAUTIFUL NUBIA

Segun Akinlolu popularly known as Beautiful Nubia is a Nigerian-born songwriter, music composer, Spirit dancer, Rhythm Rider, and band leader. Segun was born on the 11th November, 1968. He graduated from the University of Ibadan in 1992 as a Doctor of Veterinary Medicine (DVM).

Segun worked as a veterinarian for almost 8 years. He sang “Seven Lifes, Ikoko Akufo, Ife Oloyin, How do you do?” and so on.

4. AFEEZ OYETORO

The Nigerian-born star popularly known as SAKA was born on August 20, 1963. He is an actor, an entertainer, and a scholar.


Afeez obtained a Master of Arts degree in Theatre Arts from the University of Ibadan. He is known for his clown role in Nollywood movies and has appeared in several Nigerian movies. He is currently a lecturer in the department of theatre arts at Adeniran Ogunsanya College of Education, Lagos State, Nigeria.

3. KUNLE REMI

Oyekunle Opeyemi Oluwaremi fondly called Kunle Remi is a Nigerian actor, best known for his role in Falling, Family Forever, Tinsel, and the recently released Anikulapo. He was born on the 18th October, 1986.

Kunle gained admission to the University of Ibadan to study Fisheries and Wild Management.

In 2010, he won the 7th edition of Gulder Ultimate Search.

The graduate of the New York film Academy started professional acting in 2011. He has starred in TV series, stage plays, and films.

2. GABRIEL AFOLAYAN

Gabriel Afolayan, a Nigerian recording artiste and actor was born on the 1st of March 1985. He is also known by his musical stage name G-Fresh, but lately, he is also referred to as “Gabby”.

He studied Theatre Arts at the University of Ibadan.

As an actor, he won the Best Supporting Actor award for the role he played in “Hoodrush” at the 2012 edition of AMVCA.

As a musician, he is known mostly for his hit singles “Awelewa” and “Kokoro Ife”.

He has appeared in so many movies which include; Coming from Insanity, Gone, Gold Statue, and many others.

Gabriel Afolayan is the son of the Nigerian entertainment icon, Adeyemi Afolayan popularly known as “Ade love”.

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1. MUYIWA ADEMOLA

The popular Nollywood actor was born on 26 January 1971.

Muyiwa Ademola is not just an actor, he is a film producer and a director.

In 2005, his film ORI (Fate) won the best indigenous film at the 1st Africa Movie Academy Awards.

Ademola has produced, directed, and appeared in several Yoruba and English Nollywood movies.

He graduated with a Bachelor of Education degree in Adult Education at the University of Ibadan.