Ebisan Arayi

EARLY LIFE

Ebisan Arayi’s passion for acting began in childhood. At the age of 10, he appeared on Charly Boy’s Kiddies Show for several seasons, an experience that solidified his desire to pursue the craft despite parental emphasis on education. His mother, veteran actress and long-time host of the Maggi Family Menu television program Iyabo Lawani, served as a major inspiration. He has described watching her on television and wanting to be part of that world from a young age.

CAREER

Ebisan began with modeling before transitioning fully into acting. His first paid acting gig came in 2007. He left Nigeria in 2011 to pursue higher education in Europe and returned in 2018, restarting his career from the ground up. He is known for roles in films and series such as: Hey You! (2022) – Mr. Ajayi Perfect Neighbour (2021) – Ije The House of Secrets (2023) – Ehis Baby Farm (2025 TV series) – Controller The Space Between (2019) – Charles Heart Repairs (2025) – Femi The Scars Beneath (2025) – Pastor Larry Additional credits include Wrong Attachment, Haywire, As He Was Written, Third Party, Enitan, The Village Twins, Daisy’s Ordeal, Miss Suspicion, The Exco, and Rent of the Heart. In interviews, he has highlighted projects like Baby Farm for addressing serious social issues such as baby factories. He remains active in both mainstream Nollywood and YouTube-driven productions, expressing excitement about the industry’s growing global recognition and the emergence of new talent and directors.

PERSONAL LIFE

Ebisan keeps his personal life relatively private. He has spoken about the sacrifices involved in pursuing acting, including the impact on relationships early in his career. He emphasizes resilience, a “No Retreat, No Surrender” mindset, and treating acting as a way of life rather than just a profession. He balances his creative work with a grounded perspective shaped by family support and industry challenges.

Ebisan Arayi describes himself as “a soldier in the military street of Nollywood,” underscoring his commitment to perseverance amid the industry’s competitive and unpredictable nature. He views acting as a lifestyle requiring constant readiness and focus. As a rising voice in the new wave of Nollywood, he continues to take on diverse roles while advocating for storytelling that addresses societal concerns.