Veteran Nollywood actor Adebayo Salami, popularly known as Oga Bello, has opened up about the difficult experience he endured while pursuing his acting career, revealing that he spent seven months sleeping in a church after fleeing threats from his family.
The Yoruba movie legend shared the experience during an interview with African A-List, where he reflected on the challenges he faced when he decided to pursue theatre despite his family’s opposition.
According to the actor, his decision to join the entertainment industry was driven by passion rather than the desire for fame or financial rewards.
He explained that the threats against him eventually forced him to leave home and seek shelter at a church.
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1. Oga Bello spent seven months sleeping in church
Salami disclosed that he ran away from home after receiving threats linked to his decision to pursue acting.
Recalling the experience, he said:
“I joined theatre; I did not join to be popular or to earn money from it. When they threatened what they would do to me, I ran away. I began to sleep in the church.”
The actor said he remained in the church for seven months during that difficult period.
2. His family opposed his acting ambition
Oga Bello explained that his decision to pursue theatre was not supported by his family.
At the time, acting was not widely regarded as a suitable career in many Nigerian households, with families often encouraging young people to pursue more conventional professions.
Despite the opposition, Salami remained determined to follow his passion for entertainment.
His experience reflected some of the challenges faced by performers in an era when acting was not as widely accepted as a profession as it is today.
3. He began acting in 1964
The veteran actor started his entertainment career in 1964 when he joined the Young Concert Party, a theatre group led by the late Ojo Ladipo, popularly known as Baba Mero.
His early years in theatre provided the foundation for a career that would eventually span several decades.
In an earlier interview with Premium Times, Salami explained that he left home and stayed with his friend, Abayomi Aromire, who had a church.
His family eventually discovered where he was staying and took him back home.
4. Oga Bello worked as a civil servant before becoming a full-time actor
Although he remained committed to theatre, Salami also pursued regular employment to support himself.
Between 1970 and 1974, he worked as a library assistant at the Federal Ministry of Works and Housing.
He continued participating in theatrical productions while holding the government job.
In 1976, he eventually became a full-time actor, choosing to dedicate himself entirely to the entertainment industry.
5. He took over Baba Mero’s theatre group
Following the death of Ojo Ladipo in 1978, Salami took over the leadership of the theatre group.
The organisation later became known as the Awada Kerikeri Theatre Group.
Under his leadership, the group continued its theatrical activities and contributed to the development of Yoruba-language entertainment.
Oga Bello subsequently established himself as an actor, producer and director, becoming one of the respected figures in the Yoruba film industry.
His children, including Femi Adebayo and Tope Adebayo, have also pursued careers in Nollywood.
Oga Bello’s journey reflects decades of dedication to acting
Oga Bello’s account offers a glimpse into the personal sacrifices he made to build his career in the Nigerian entertainment industry.
From spending months in a church to balancing government employment with theatre, his journey was marked by determination and a commitment to acting.
Today, he is recognised as one of the veterans whose contributions helped shape Yoruba cinema, with members of his family also continuing his legacy in Nollywood.
