Omowumi Dada

Biography

Omowunmi Dada () (born 2 October 1989) is a Nigerian actress, best known for her role as Folake in the M-net television series Jemeji. She also appeared in the 2017 Yoruba-language film Somewhere in the Dark, which won the award for Best Indigenous Film at the 2017 Africa Magic Viewers' Choice Awards (AMVCA). For her performance, she received a nomination for Best Supporting Actress (Yoruba) at the Best of Nollywood Awards in 2017. In 2018, Dada voiced the titular character in Sade, Nigeria's first animation full-length feature film. In addition to acting, Dada is a voice-over artist, presenter, model and brand ambassador for Jumia Nigeria. She aspires to become a film director and producer.

== Early life == Dada was born in Lagos State, where she attended Ifako International Nursery and Primary School for her primary education, during this time, she became a member of the Yoruba Cultural Troupe. She went on to attend Command Day Secondary School, Oshodi, for her secondary education and studied creative arts at the University of Lagos.

== Career == Dada began her acting career, taking small parts in stage plays while at the university. Her first major stage performance was in the play Moremi Ajasoro, which was directed by Femi Oke. In 2013, she began her movie career with a role in the film Oya alongside Nigerian actor Tunji Sotimirin, she then went on to feature in other notable films including the Kunle Afolayan directed Omugwo alongside Patience Ozokwor and Ayo Adesanya. Dada has featured in several television series, including the Ebonylife TV series Married to the Game, Best Friends and Dere, an African adaptation of Disney's Cinderella. She also featured in the M-net television series Jemeji and has had roles in Tinsel, So Wrong so Wright, Needles Eyes and Bella’s Place among others. In 2017, Dada featured in the critically acclaimed stage play, Isale Eko, which was endorsed by the Lagos State Government as part of the official activities marking the state’s 50th anniversary. In 2018, Dada was cast in the titular role of Sade in Nigeria's first full-length animated feature film, which was set for release in 2019. Dada featured in Tunde Kelani's film Ayinla, alongside Kunle Afolayan and Lateef Adedimeji. In December 2017, she was nominated as Best Actress of the Year in Nigeria by Nigerian filmmaker and critic, Charles Novia. Dada is an ambassador for the Daivyan Children Cancer Foundation, which advocates for awareness and support for children living with cancer. She is also an ambassador for the Brian Wotari Foundation, which focuses on engaging and enriching the lives of youths. In 2021, Dada played the role of an investigative journalist, Halima Abdul in the Psalm Oderinde directed short film Rebirth, produced by Chris Odeh of Sozo Films for Homevida Masterclass, and written by Thecla Uzozie and Dawn Ntekim-Rex. At the 8th Africa Magic Viewers' Choice Awards in 2022, she won Best Supporting Actress for her role in the film Country Hard.

== Filmography ==

=== Selected feature films === The Gods are Still Not To Blame (2012) Ojuju (2014) as Peju The Antique (2015) as Uyi's Friend Somewhere in the Dark (2016) Yes I Don't (2016) as Mayen Omugwo (2017) as Omotunde Bias (2017) Something Wicked (2017) as Vivian Chatch-er (2017) as Eva Osaro King Invincible (2017) as Princess Morenike Bedroom Points (2018) The Ghost and the Tout (2018) as Janet Just Before I do (2018) Oga Bolaji (2018) as Victoria Like Dominoes (2018) The Family (2019) Diamonds in the Sky (2019) as Teniola Òlòtūré (2019) as Linda Sade (2019) as Sade Zena (2019) as Mahila The Man Who Cuts Tattoos (2019) City of Bastards (2019) Nightcrawlers (2020) The Sessions (2020) as Onome Reach (2020) Finding Hubby (2020) as Moroti The Blood Covenant Country Hard (2021) as Tola Elesin Oba, The King's Horseman (2022) as Bride One Too Many (2022) as Ehi Ada Omo Daddy (2023) as Perosola Balogun Domino Effect (2023) as Rita Funmilayo Ransome-Kuti (2024) Everybody Loves Jenifa (2024) Ori Rebirth (2025)

=== Short films === Not Right (2014) as Kunnbi Mirabel (2018) as Tonye Brasin Losing My Religion (2018) as Mother Fourth Side (2019) Rebirth (2022) as Halimah

=== Television series === Jemeji (2017) as Folake Tinsel So Wrong So Wright Needles Eyes Tales of Eve (2013) as Daniella Taste of Love Casino Game On (2020-2022) as Saze The Wages (2013) as Amaka Married To The Game- MTTG (2014-2015) Love, Lies & Alibi (2014) Alone (2018) as Eyal Shuga (2019) as Barbie The Origin: Madam Koi-Koi (2023) as Madam Koi-Koi

=== Animations === Sade (TBA)