Bimbo Ogunnowo

EARLY LIFE

Bimbo Ogunnowo (later Afolayan) was born and raised in Lagos, Nigeria, in a family of five children (she has described herself as coming from a family of five). She grew up in areas such as Egbeda and has spoken of her early years in Lagos. She obtained a diploma related to Industrial Relations and Trade Unionism in Ibadan and later pursued Theatre Arts studies at Lagos State University (LASU). Her interest in performance and the entertainment industry developed over time, leading her into acting and related creative work.

CAREER

Bimbo began her professional journey in Nollywood with her first film Ifejafunmi. She has appeared in titles including Ebute, Gucci Girls, Eldorado, Ajoje, Ifeofoju, and other Yoruba productions. She has also worked as a producer and screenwriter. The first director who gave her a significant opportunity was Okiki Afolayan (later her husband). She has combined acting with entrepreneurship, including a skincare/beauty business that she started from her room. After a hiatus following her 2018 marriage (to focus on family and businesses), she returned to acting and production, stating she has multiple scripts ready (including marriage-themed stories) and plans to upload work to her YouTube channel. She has emphasized building her brand as Bimbo Afolayan and remaining committed to storytelling, particularly around relationships and marriage.

PERSONAL LIFE

She married Nollywood director and producer Okiki Afolayan in October 2018 after a relationship of about four years; the couple had known each other for roughly 11 years prior through industry connections. She has spoken positively about the marriage, describing her husband as a friend and source of peace and support, and has credited the union with personal growth and joint business successes. Before the marriage she had a daughter, Aliyah. With Okiki Afolayan she welcomed another daughter in June 2022 in the United States. She took a deliberate break from acting after marriage to focus on her home, personal well-being, and businesses, returning later while emphasizing that marriage has not stopped her from acting. She is also involved in skincare, hospitality, and fashion ventures and has mentioned employing staff and mentoring others.

She has spoken about the challenges of balancing acting, business, and family, the importance of hard work and faith, and her decision not to relocate abroad despite earlier considerations (partly due to staff and mentees she supports in Nigeria). She travels frequently for relaxation (including to the US and London). Fans and media have noted her return to the screen after marriage, and she continues to present herself as both a performer and multi-business entrepreneur.