Bolanle Ninalowo, known affectionately to his fans as Nino, is a prominent Nigerian actor and film producer who has carved a distinctive path in Nollywood. Born on 7 May 1980, his journey to stardom is a testament to resilience and reinvention.
Before gracing the screen, Ninalowo worked as an accountant in Chicago and later at Guaranty Trust Bank in Nigeria, but he never felt fulfilled. His entry into the film industry was fraught with early setbacks. His initial foray as a movie producer with the project Rebirth ended in failure, and a subsequent venture into music as a record label executive also did not succeed. Undeterred, he embraced these failures as stepping stones, a philosophy he summarises as “failing forward”.
His perseverance paid off with a breakthrough role in the 2015 film Desperate Baby Mamas, which propelled him into the limelight. He has since delivered captivating performances in a variety of films, including Road to Yesterday, Tiwaβs Baggage, Husbands of Lagos, Ratnik and 13 Letters. His talent and business acumen have earned him widespread admiration, and he was named by Ranks Africa as one of the continent’s 100 Most Impactful People of 2022.
Beyond his on-screen success, Ninalowo has recently expanded his horizons to Hollywood, confirming that he has wrapped a film featuring Vivica A. Fox and Blac Chyna. He is also producing a docu-series titled Maka ti Japa for his Makanaki TV platform, which tells the story of an “area boy” turned immigrant.
In his personal life, Ninalowo married his wife Bunmi in 2007. The couple experienced a separation in 2019, reconciled in 2021, but ultimately divorced in September 2023. He has been open about this chapter, stating that he is “proudly bold” of his decision. They share two children, a daughter named Aaliyah and a son named Morakinyo. A man of deep faith, he converted from Islam to Christianity, finding solace and guidance in the Bible.
Today, Ninalowo has intentionally stepped back from the Nollywood spotlight to focus on his family, particularly as his children transition into adulthood. He views this as his most important role, stating emphatically that his legacy is his children, not the films he makes.
