Bimbo Afolayan Biography
Bimbo Afolayan is a Nigerian actress, film producer and entrepreneur known primarily for her work in the Yoruba film industry. Born Tawa Oladunni Ogunnowo on August 9, 1986, she grew up in Lagos and developed an interest in acting while studying at Lagos State University.
Her career has extended beyond acting. She has produced films, worked in business and established a hotel venture. She is also married to filmmaker Okiki Afolayan, whom she first met through a film production before they eventually became a couple.
Who Is Bimbo Afolayan?
Bimbo Afolayan is a Nigerian actress, producer and entrepreneur who has built a career largely around Yoruba-language cinema.
Her birth name is Tawa Oladunni Ogunnowo, while Bimbo Afolayan is the professional name by which she is widely recognized.
Unlike entertainers who entered the industry solely through acting, Afolayan has combined acting with film production and entrepreneurship. Her career has therefore developed across several areas of the Nigerian entertainment and business sectors.
Bimbo Afolayan Age and Date of Birth
Bimbo Afolayan was born on August 9, 1986, in Egbeda, Lagos State, Nigeria. She is 40 years old as of 2026.
Although she was born in Lagos, she is from Ogun State. She grew up in Lagos before pursuing higher education and beginning her entertainment career.
Bimbo Afolayan Real Name
Bimbo Afolayan’s birth name is Tawa Oladunni Ogunnowo.
She adopted the professional name Bimbo Afolayan as she developed her career in the Nigerian film industry. She is now widely identified by that name in Nollywood.
Bimbo Afolayan Education
Afolayan first obtained a Diploma in Trade Union and Industrial Relations in Ibadan.
She later studied Theatre Arts at Lagos State University, an academic background that was directly relevant to her eventual career in acting and filmmaking.
Her time studying theatre also played a role in her introduction to the entertainment industry.
How Bimbo Afolayan Started Acting
Bimbo Afolayan’s entry into acting came while she was a student.
According to biographical accounts, she encountered veteran actor Mr Latin, who encouraged her to try acting. She accepted the opportunity and gradually became involved in film production.
Her early experience in theatre and film helped her develop a career that eventually included both acting and producing.
Bimbo Afolayan Film Production Career
Production has been an important part of Afolayan’s career.
Her first film production was Ifejafunmi, which was shot at Classic Hotel in Ijebu-Ode, Ogun State. Interestingly, the production also became significant in her personal life because Okiki Afolayan, who later became her husband, worked on the project as part of the production team.
By 2018, Afolayan had said that she had been acting for more than 11 years and had produced approximately 11 films, demonstrating that her interest in production developed alongside her acting career.
Bimbo Afolayan and Okiki Afolayan
Bimbo Afolayan is married to Okiki Afolayan, a Nigerian filmmaker and director.
The pair first met while working on Bimbo’s early film production. Their initial relationship was professional, and they remained connected for years before eventually becoming romantically involved.
Their relationship later developed into marriage, bringing together two people working in the same Nigerian film industry.
Bimbo Afolayan Wedding
Bimbo Afolayan and Okiki Afolayan married in 2018.
Reports about their relationship state that they had a registry ceremony in Ikoyi before their larger wedding celebration at Time Square Events Centre in Ikeja, Lagos, on October 6, 2018.
The couple has continued to work within the Nigerian entertainment industry while raising their family.
Bimbo Afolayan Children
Bimbo Afolayan and Okiki Afolayan have two daughters.
The family occasionally appears together in photographs shared publicly, including images released around the couple’s wedding anniversary.
Bimbo has generally maintained a balance between her public career and her family life.
Bimbo Afolayan Business Career
Bimbo Afolayan has described herself as a businessperson in addition to being an actress.
Her business interests have included cosmetics and hospitality. In June 2021, she unveiled the first branch of a hotel business, describing the project as the beginning of a larger hospitality venture.
Her movement into business reflects a wider pattern among Nigerian entertainers who develop commercial ventures alongside their creative careers.
Bimbo Afolayan Acting Career
Afolayan has remained active in Yoruba-language film productions while also working behind the scenes.
Her acting career has been complemented by her production work, giving her experience in multiple stages of filmmaking. Rather than limiting herself to performing roles, she has participated in the development and production of movies.
Her work has also benefited from her background in Theatre Arts, which gave her formal training relevant to stage and screen performance.
Bimbo Afolayan and Okiki Afolayan’s Career
Both Bimbo and Okiki have built careers within the Nigerian film industry.
Okiki Afolayan is known primarily as a filmmaker and director, while Bimbo has worked across acting, production and business.
Their professional relationship began before their marriage, with their first reported meeting taking place during the production of Ifejafunmi.
Bimbo Afolayan Current Career
As of 2026, Bimbo Afolayan remains associated with Nigerian film production and entrepreneurship.
Her career continues to combine acting, filmmaking and business, while her marriage to fellow filmmaker Okiki Afolayan has made them a recognizable couple within the Yoruba entertainment industry.
Frequently Asked Questions About Bimbo Afolayan
Who is Bimbo Afolayan?
Bimbo Afolayan is a Nigerian actress, film producer and entrepreneur known primarily for her work in Yoruba-language Nollywood.
What is Bimbo Afolayan’s real name?
Her birth name is Tawa Oladunni Ogunnowo. She is professionally known as Bimbo Afolayan.
How old is Bimbo Afolayan?
Bimbo Afolayan was born on August 9, 1986, making her 40 years old in 2026.
Where is Bimbo Afolayan from?
She was born in Egbeda, Lagos State, but she is from Ogun State, Nigeria.
What did Bimbo Afolayan study?
She studied Theatre Arts at Lagos State University after obtaining a diploma in Trade Union and Industrial Relations.
Who is Bimbo Afolayan’s husband?
Her husband is Okiki Afolayan, a Nigerian filmmaker and director. The couple married in 2018.
How many children does Bimbo Afolayan have?
Bimbo Afolayan and Okiki Afolayan have two daughters.
How did Bimbo Afolayan meet her husband?
She reportedly met Okiki Afolayan while working on her first film production, Ifejafunmi. He was part of the production team at the time.
Is Bimbo Afolayan an actress or producer?
She is both. Bimbo Afolayan has worked as an actress and film producer and has also developed business interests outside filmmaking.
What was Bimbo Afolayan’s first film production?
Her first reported film production was Ifejafunmi, produced before her 2018 marriage to Okiki Afolayan.
Does Bimbo Afolayan have a business?
Yes. In addition to [td_smart_list_end]her entertainment career, she has been involved in business ventures, including cosmetics and hospitality. She unveiled a hotel venture in 2021.
