Sola Sobowale
| Personal Information | |
|---|---|
| Real Name | Sola Sobowale |
| Birth Date | 1965-12-26 |
| Birthplace | Ondo State, Nigeria |
| Nationality | Nigerian |
| Career & Achievements | |
| Occupation | Actress, Screenwriter, Director, Producer |
| Active Years | 1992–present |
| Education | University of Ibadan (UI) |
| Known For | Super Story, The Wedding Party, King of Boys |
| Awards | AMAA Best Actress in a Leading Role (2019) |
Sola Sobowale (born December 26, 1965) is a veteran Nigerian actress, screenwriter, director, and producer. Widely recognized as one of the most powerful and fiercely intense actors in the history of Nigerian television and cinema, Sobowale achieved national fame in the early 2000s for her iconic role as the manipulative "Toyin Tomato" in the television drama series Super Story.
After a decade-long hiatus from the industry, she made a monumental comeback in the "New Nollywood" era, starring in record-breaking blockbusters like The Wedding Party (2016) and delivering a career-defining, AMAA-winning performance as the ruthless underworld kingpin Eniola Salami in Kemi Adetiba's epic King of Boys (2018).
Early Life and Education
Sola Sobowale was born in Ondo State, southwestern Nigeria, to Joseph and Esther Olagookun. Her father was a retired school principal, and her mother was a former headmistress, both of whom placed a heavy emphasis on education.
She initially enrolled at the University of Ibadan (UI) to study Music. However, driven by a profound passion for acting, she eventually switched her course of study to Theatre Arts.
Acting Career
Awada Kerikeri and Early Cinema (1992–2000)
Sobowale began her acting career by joining the famous Awada Kerikeri Group, a prominent Yoruba theatre and film troupe led by Nollywood legend Adebayo Salami (popularly known as Oga Bello). Under his mentorship, she honed her skills in stage performances and early Yoruba-language video films. She made her screen debut in the early 1990s, starring in movies like Asewo To Re Mecca (1992).
"Toyin Tomato" and National Stardom (2001–2010)
Sobowale transcended Yoruba cinema and became a national household name in 2001 when she was cast in Wale Adenuga’s hit television drama series Super Story. She starred in the highly acclaimed season Oh Father, Oh Daughter, playing the role of Toyin Tomato, a cunning, flamboyant, and manipulative mistress. Her performance was so culturally impactful that "Toyin Tomato" became a popular Nigerian slang term for a voluptuous or deeply cunning woman.
Throughout the 2000s, she wrote, directed, and starred in several successful Yoruba films, including Ohun Oko Somida (2010), which she co-produced with her husband.
UK Hiatus and The Monumental Comeback (2011–Present)
At the height of her career, Sobowale made the difficult decision to leave the Nigerian entertainment industry and relocate to the United Kingdom. She took this hiatus to focus entirely on raising her children, taking on menial jobs in the UK to support their education.
Sobowale made her highly anticipated return to Nollywood in 2016, starring as the overbearing, flamboyant Yoruba mother Tinuade Coker in Kemi Adetiba’s blockbuster comedy The Wedding Party. The film became the highest-grossing Nigerian film of all time, and her energetic performance introduced her to a massive new generation of fans. She reprised the role in the 2017 sequel, The Wedding Party 2.
In 2018, Sobowale collaborated with Kemi Adetiba again, this time taking the lead role in the sprawling crime epic King of Boys. She played Eniola Salami, a ruthless, Shakespearean businesswoman and underworld boss navigating the deadly waters of Nigerian politics. The performance was universally hailed as a masterpiece of African cinema. She won the 2019 Africa Movie Academy Award (AMAA) for Best Actress in a Leading Role. She reprised the role in the 2021 Netflix original sequel series, King of Boys: The Return of the King.
Personal Life
Sola Sobowale is married to Oladotun Sobowale, who previously worked as the corporate executive director of EKO Hospital. Together, they have five children.
Selected Filmography
| Year | Title | Role | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1992 | Asewo To Re Mecca | - | Early Yoruba film |
| 1998 | Diamond Ring | - | |
| 2001 | Super Story: Oh Father, Oh Daughter | Toyin Tomato | Hit TV Series |
| 2004 | Dangerous Twins | - | Co-starring Ramsey Nouah |
| 2010 | Ohun Oko Somida | - | Writer and Director |
| 2016 | The Wedding Party | Tinuade Coker | Box office record breaker |
| 2017 | The Wedding Party 2 | Tinuade Coker | |
| 2018 | King of Boys | Eniola Salami | Won AMAA for Best Actress |
| 2019 | Gold Statue | Grace | |
| 2021 | King of Boys: The Return of the King | Eniola Salami | Netflix Original Series |
| 2022 | Battle on Buka Street | Asake | Co-starring Funke Akindele and Mercy Johnson |
| 2022 | Anikulapo | Awarun | Epic Netflix Original |