Kemi Adetiba is an actress, television host, music video producer, and director from Nigeria. She produced, wrote, and directed the well-known Nollywood film King of Boys. She also had a prominent role in the critically acclaimed The Wedding Party films. Her acting abilities in the Nigerian film industry have earned her numerous awards.
Early Life & Education
Kemi Adetiba was born on January 8, 1980, to Ekiti father Dele Adetiba and Efik mother Mayen Adetiba. Kemi comes from a family of successful parents in a variety of fields. Dele Adetiba, her father, was a legendary sports broadcaster in Nigeria and a veteran of television advertising. Her mother, Mayeni Adetiba, is an engineer and actor who also happens to be the first female civil engineer elected to the Executive Committee of the Nigerian Society of Engineers.
She graduated from Atlantic Hall High School and later obtained a law degree from the University of Lagos, after which she was admitted to the Nigerian Bar. When Kemi decided to enter the media industry, she had a different professional path in mind.
Career
She started her career as a radio host for Rhythm 93.7 FM, where she hosted two nationally syndicated hit shows, Soul’d Out and Sunday at the Seaside. Kemi began secretly releasing personal remixes online on various platforms such as Spotify and Soundcloud under the handle and tag ‘hule.’
Kemi Adetiba progressed from radio host to television host by creating and hosting several Mnet series, including Studio 53 and Temptation Nigeria, which she co-hosted with Ikponmwosa Osakioduwa. Kemi also hosted all three seasons of Maltina Dance and was a Soundcity TV presenter. She then decided to take things a step further and enrolled at the New York Film Academy to study visual production, which was a significant change for Kemi.
In 2009, her short film Across a Bloodied Ocean was shown at the Pan African Film Festival and the National Black Arts Festival. The Wedding Party, Kemi Adetiba’s first feature film as a director, premiered on September 8, 2016 as the opening film of the City-to-City Showcase at the Toronto International Film Festival (TIFF).
On November 26, 2016, it was also shown for the first time at the Eko Hotel & Suites in Lagos. The film went viral quickly and went on to become Nigeria’s highest-earning film, grossing a whopping $453,000,000. In 2017, the sequel, “The Wedding Party 2,” broke the record. Kemi debuted her interview-based series “King Woman” in 2017, featuring Nigeria’s most powerful women of all time.
Kemi Adetiba interviewed her mother, Mayen Adetiba, Chigul, Taiwo Ajai-Lycett, Jumoke Adenowo, Adesua Onyenokwe, TY Bello, and Tara Durotoye for the show King Women. The following year, Adetiba’s most famous piece of art, “King of Boys,” was published, starring veteran actress Sola Sobowale in the lead role. The film is about a power struggle, and it stars rappers Illbliss and Reminisce in their feature film debuts.
Kemi Adetiba produced, wrote, and directed King of Boys. It was ranked as one of the top ten films of 2018, grossing N245 million naira. The award-winning director crowned her classic picture with a seven-part Netflix series titled ‘The Return of the King,’ which serves as a sequel.
Personal Life
Marital Life
On the 28th of January, 2022, Kemi Adetiba got engaged to Oscar Heman-Ackah while on holiday in Ghana with her family and a few friends and colleagues. Kemi Adetiba officially marries Oscar Heman-Ackah, whom she had previously been betrothed to, on April 23rd, 2022, in a star-studded wedding ceremony.
Movies
2021 King of Boys: The Return of the King
2018 King of Boys
2016 The Wedding Party
Videography
2017: King Women
2015: Last Bus-Stop by Niyola
2015: Dance Go (Eau de Vie) for Hennessy Artistry featuring Wizkid and 2face Idibia
2015: Out A Magazine by Lindsey Abudei
2014: My Darlin by Tiwa Savage
2014: My Place by Lynxxx
2014: Love to Love You by Niyola (featuring Banky W.)
2014: Sitting on the Throne by Olamide
2014: Anifowose by Olamide
2014: Onye by Waje
2013: Toh Bad by Niyola
2013: Say by Bez
2012: If I Die by Da Grin
2012: Tease Me/Bad Guys by Wizkid
2011: I Believe by Ego
2011: Follow You Go by Banky W.
2011: The Future by TY Bello
2010: Fall in Love by Ego
2010: Lagos Party by Banky W.
2010: More You by Banky W.
2011: Today Na Today by Omawumi
2008: Ekundayo by TY Bello
Awards & Nomination
| Year | Event | Prize | Result |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2017 | HNWOTY Award | Woman of the Year in Film and Television | Won |
| 2015 | City People Entertainment Award | Best Music Video Director Of The Year | |
| 2014 | The Headies | Best Music Video Director of the Year | |
| 2010 | Nigeria Entertainment Awards | Best Female Video | |
| 2010 | Soundcity TV Music Video Awards | Best Female Video |
Net Worth
According to sources online, Kemi’s estimated net worth is $3.5 million. Her sources of income range from directing music videos for prominent Nigerian musicians and also writing and producing hit movies in the Nigerian movie industry.
