Before hitting pay dirt in the fashion/lifestyle and entertainment industry, it was a life of books, black and white attire and more books for these folks. Here are 12 Nigerian celebrities who traded in their wigs and gowns for life on the glam lane.
- Omawunmi: before finding fame on the stage of West African Idols, Omawunmi was a Law graduate from the Ambrose Ali University, Ekpoma, Edo state. After graduating in 2005, she went on to work at her brother’s law firm O.S Megbele and Associates before contesting for Idols West Africa in 2007 where she emerged 1st runner-up. There has been no looking back for her since then as she wholly embraced music going on to release her debut album ‘Wonderwoman’ and winning several awards as well as landing a leading endorsement with Mortein.
- Lolo 1: A graduate of Lagos State University, Omotunde Adebowale Davies practised Law for 3 years before she made the switch to radio. She now rocks the airwaves with her flawless pidgin English as Lolo 1 on Wazobia fm.
- Ebuka Obi-Uchendu: Armed with a Law degree from the University of Abuja, Ebuka burst into public conscious as a Guinness-loving contestant on the reality television show Big Brother Nigeria in 2006 and has remained in the public eye ever since. Haven completed Law School in 2006, Ebuka has gone on to earn a Masters Degree in Law from the Washington College of Law of the American University specialising in Intellectual Property and Communications law. Asides being a television personality, he still utilises his law degree by doing consulting jobs both in entertainment and the built industry.
- Funke Akindele-Oloyede: Jenifa may be a razz, aspiring bigz girl but Funke is no semi-illiterate. The former Miss Akindele attended the University of Lagos where she earned a degree in Law.
- Tara Durotoye: widely-acknowledged as the doyen of make-up business in Nigeria, Tara honed her make-up skills while trying to earn her Law degree from the Lagos State University. Although she has never practised Law, she often states that her knowledge of Law helps her in managing her thriving make-up and beauty business.
- Kemi Adetiba: TV host and director extraordinaire, Kemi started her affair with the entertainment industry as an On-Air Personality with Rhythm 93.7 while she was a student of the University of Lagos. With her Law degree in the kitty, Kemi went on to do a course in Film Making in the highly-acclaimed New York Film Academy and has directed several great music videos like Wizkid’s ‘Tease Me’, Omawunmi’s ‘In the Music’ and Banky W’s ‘Lagos Party’. She also graces television screens as the host of Maltina Dance All.
- Richard Mofe-Damijo: although his first degree is in Theatre Arts from the University of Benin, legendary Nollywood actor went back to the University of Lagos in 1997 to earn a degree in Law to fulfil his mother’s life long wish for her son to be a Lawyer. He was subsequently called to the Nigerian Bar and currently serves as the Delta State Commissioner for Culture and Tourism.
- Sasha: rap artiste, Storm records first lady, fashion designer..and Lawyer. Sasha is a Law graduate from the University of Lagos.
- Kelechi Amadi-Obi: we know him as the whiz behind the lens but asides that, Kelechi is a qualified Lawyer from the University of Nigeria, Nsukka. He was called to bar in 1993 and set up his studio shortly afterwards. He is currently the publisher of Mania Magazine.
- Tiffany Amber: A qualified Lawyer with a masters degree in Petroleum Law, Folake Coker the brains behind Tiffany Amber quickly recognised her passion for fashion and traded her wig and gown for scissors and tapes establishing her luxury line Tiffany Amber as far back as 1998.
- The Bucknor Sisters: Funke Bucknor-Obruthe and Tosin Bucknor both studied Law in the University of Lagos but knew their hearts lay elsewhere. Funke worked very briefly in St Matthew Daniel and Balogun law firm after graduation before she made a career change to advertising and eventually set up pioneer events company, Zapphaire. Tosin also began to flirt with the media as an undergraduate with her weekly column in The Guardian newspaper. Asides singing, she currently works as an OAP with Top 90.9fm and also has written scripts for shows like Amstel Malta Box-office season 2&3 and The Apprentice Africa.
Lisa Folawiyo: the creative Director of Jewel by Lisa and originator of embellished ankara prints attended the University of Lagos where she obtained her Law degree. She established Jewel by Lisa in 2005 and quickly became a force to reckon with as her creative style captured the attention of the international fashion world. Today Jewel by Lisa has been rocked by celebrities like Solange Knowles, Kendal Jenner and Catt Sandler of E!
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Law degree is diff from been an associate in law.. so pls make them clearify if they go law school..
ReplyDeleteSo proud of these Nigerian celebrities who are not only up to fame but finding the time to study law. More power to these artists and soon-to-be lawyers!
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