Tunde Owokoniran

EARLY LIFE

Babatunde Owokoniran was born in Mushin, Lagos. He attended New Mainland Children’s School for primary education and Ilupeju College for secondary school. He came from a polygamous family and lost his mother at a young age. This forced him to drop out of school temporarily. To survive, he worked as a bus conductor at the Oju Elegba branch of the National Union of Road Transport Workers. He later ventured into plantain trading at Ojuwoye market in Mushin.

CAREER

Tunde Owokoniran’s big break came after he met Odunlade Adekola in Mushin. He boldly approached the star for help, and Odunlade mentored him. He started getting roles and has since featured in many popular Yoruba movies, often in comic or supporting roles. Notable Movies, Sunday Dagboru, Penkele Mess, Ilu Alujo, Agbas’se, Sokofun, Oro Jade, Family Blackmail (2020), A Lie Between (2018) and Oko Mi L'america (2020). He has also produced some films. Although he has been less active in Nigeria since around 2018 due to his relocation abroad, he remains a recognized face in Yoruba Nollywood.

PERSONAL LIFE

Tunde Owokoniran is married to Oluwatunmise (Tunmise) Akinwinsola, a US-based Nigerian. They met during one of her visits to Nigeria. He proposed to her at the airport on 19 January 2016, and they got married on 24 January 2016. The couple is blessed with two children — a daughter and a son. He relocated abroad and has been based outside Nigeria for several years.

Tunde Owokoniran’s story is one of resilience — rising from bus conductor and plantain seller to a known actor through determination and divine connection. He is admired for his humility and comic timing on screen.