Lifestyle
PHOTOS: Nollywood Actress Binta Ayo Mogaji
Early Life & Background
Binta Ayo Mogaji was born in 1964 and hails from Agbo-Ile, Ibadan in Oyo State, Nigeria.
Her father was an Islamic cleric, while her mother worked as an education administrator.
From an early age she showed interest in acting, starting her career in the early 1970s as a child actor.
Career in Acting
She first gained recognition on television. For example, one of her early appearances was on the TV series Why Worry the Barber.
Her debut in home-video cinema (in the Yoruba language) was with the film titled Mojere.
Over the decades, Mogaji has acted in both Yoruba-language and English-language films and television series. She has been cited as being part of at least 400–800 stage, screen and home-video productions.
Notable works include:
Ti Oluwa Ni Le (1992)
Owo Blow (1997)
The Bridge (2017)
In a 2018 interview she spoke about the Nigerian film industry’s tendency to favour younger actors, and argued that older actors are still fully capable of delivering professional performances.
She has also spoken about how her religious background (Islamic) informed her decisions about roles — for example, she stated she has never acted semi-nude or participated in kissing scenes throughout her career.
Personal Life
Mogaji has had a varied personal journey:
She was in a relationship with actor Jibola Dabo, and together they have a son.
In 2006 she married retired footballer and physiotherapist Victor Ayodele Oduleye.
She later revealed that the marriage lasted about 13 years, and that it involved physical and mental abuse which led to her leaving the marriage.
On motherhood:
She revealed that she conceived and gave birth to her only child at age 40 — despite having already undergone removal of one fallopian tube due to an ectopic pregnancy.
In an interview she recounted being taken to “seven different hospitals” as doctors were uncertain she’d survive the ectopic pregnancy.
On advice & views:
Mogaji has said that women aged 35 or older who want children should not necessarily wait for marriage, but could consider having a child outside wedlock or adopting, if they are capable of caring for the child.
Achievements & Recognition
She is widely regarded as one of the veteran and accomplished actresses in Nigeria’s film industry — in theatre, television and home-video.
Among her awards, she has been recognized as “Best Actress” at the REEL Awards.
Selected Filmography
Here are a few highlights (not exhaustive):
Mojere — her first home-video appearance.
Ti Oluwa Ni Le (1992)
Owo Blow (1997)
Motherhood
Ileke
Ojuju
Ilé Olorogun
The Bridge (2017)
My Village People (2021)
Legacy & Impact
Mogaji’s career spans many decades and multiple eras of Nigerian cinema (from early television to modern Nollywood).
She is seen as a mentor or “auntie” figure to younger actors, many of whom admire her longevity and professionalism.
She has been candid about the challenges faced by actors in Nigeria — for example, she has said that despite fame, many actors must still “toil” for little reward.
Current Status
As of 2024-2025, she remains active in the industry.
Recently she celebrated her son’s graduation from university (Lead City University, Ibadan) in 2024.
She continues to speak publicly about personal and industry issues (e.g., motherhood, marital abuse, the film industry).
Interesting Facts
Despite having only one fallopian tube, she was able to conceive and give birth — a story she shared publicly to encourage others.
She has been frank about regards marriage and motherhood — for example stating that waiting for marriage should not prevent someone who truly wants a child from having one (if they can care for it responsibly).
FOLLOW US ON:
