Tosan Edremoda Ugbeye

EARLY LIFE

Tosan Edremoda Ugbeye was born in Nigeria to a diplomat father whose postings shaped her multicultural upbringing. She spent much of her childhood in French-speaking countries, including Guinea Conakry, Zaire (now the Democratic Republic of Congo), and Ivory Coast. This environment allowed her to become fluent in French without formal study initially—she later completed French O’Levels at school. She also understands Italian from time spent in Italy. Her native tongue is Itsekiri, which she speaks fluently, as her parents insisted on its use at home to preserve their cultural heritage. Her father took his diplomatic role seriously, representing Nigeria’s culture, values, and traditions abroad. Tosan’s early exposure to performance came at age 14 while attending Holy Child College, where she began informal voice-over work by reading scripture for a priest’s radio Mass programme. This sparked a lifelong interest in voice, speech, and acting. She grew up with a strong appreciation for the arts and storytelling, influenced by her diverse international experiences and Nigerian roots. These formative years laid the foundation for her multifaceted career in theatre, film, and media, blending cultural influences with professional training.

CAREER

Tosan Edremoda Ugbeye is a veteran Nigerian thespian, actress, director, writer, voice-over artist, acting coach, and theatre practitioner with over 37 years of experience in the creative industry. She began formal voice-over work around 1991–1992, influenced by an early opportunity secured through Segun Arinze, and has lent her unique voice to projects like Airtel and Etisalat greetings. Her teaching career includes a decade (1991–2001) at Performance Studio Workshop (PSW), where she taught method acting, speech, and voice under Chuck Mike. She also taught drama and theatre courses in the English Department at Lagos State University (LASU) for about two years during the launch of its theatre diploma programme before the dedicated Theatre Department was established. She later left LASU to focus primarily on acting, viewing herself first and foremost as an actor. As an actress, Tosan has appeared in numerous films and television productions, including Isoken (2017), Flower Girl (2013, as Damilola’s mother), The Governor, Newman Street, MTV Shuga, Halita, Dérè: An African Tale, and Where Love Lives (2025). She has also worked as a scriptwriter and producer through her company, King’s Theatre Limited. Her directorial and coaching work extends to mentoring emerging talent, conducting trainings in voice, speech, acting, and presentation. In June 2026, she was signed by Take One Talents, further solidifying her role as a creative force in the industry. Tosan’s career spans stage, screen, and voice work, with a strong emphasis on artistic integrity, professionalism, and storytelling that resonates culturally. She has contributed to both local Nigerian productions and international collaborations, often blending her multicultural background with authentic performances. Her work as an educator and mentor has helped shape the next generation of performers, and she continues to advocate for creative expression without barriers.

PERSONAL LIFE

Tosan Edremoda Ugbeye maintains a private personal life while occasionally sharing insights into faith, family, and resilience through her work and social media. She is married (referring to her husband affectionately as “Dada” in posts) and has spoken about grace in marriages, suggesting a faith-based perspective on relationships. Her father (referred to as “Papa”) remains a significant figure in her life. She emphasizes the importance of family support and has highlighted themes of grace, mercy, and overcoming challenges in her public reflections, such as a 2025 post celebrating “37 years of working it out” by God’s grace. Tosan is passionate about creative expression without excuses and often mentors others in the arts. She founded King’s Theatre Limited, where she serves as artistic director, focusing on planning, writing, directing, teaching, and consulting in performance. Her work reflects a commitment to nurturing talent and strengthening the performing arts community. She balances her professional life with personal values rooted in faith, cultural pride, and continuous growth.

Tosan Edremoda Ugbeye stands out as a multi-hyphenate talent in Nollywood and beyond, combining performance with behind-the-scenes roles in directing, writing, and education. She is fluent in English, French, Italian, and her native Itsekiri, which enriches her voice-over and acting work. Her philosophy—“no excuse not to do creative work”—reflects her dedication to the arts despite challenges. She maintains an active presence in the industry as an artistic director and coach, fostering collaboration and excellence. Tosan’s journey from a diplomat’s daughter with international roots to a respected veteran in Nigerian theatre and film exemplifies resilience, cultural pride, and a lifelong commitment to storytelling and mentorship.