The Nigerian entertainment industry was once seen as a sector for dropouts who had nothing to do before taking up entertainment.
That narrative is long gone because nowadays, some of the biggest celebrities in the industry are university graduates.
A lot of people might not be aware that these celebrities are trained legal practitioners.
Below are five celebrities who were trained as lawyers in the entertainment industry.
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Folarin Falana
They say a fruit does not fall far from the tree, so it’s no surprise that Folarin Falana popularly known as Falz turned out to be a Lawyer. Falz’ dad, Femi Falana SAN, is one of the most prominent lawyers in Nigeria.
Falz gained a lot of popularity a few years ago when he first started with his short skits on social media before his music career began to gain a lot of momentum.
It didn’t take long before we got to find out that Falz was the son of the legal luminary, Falana.
Falz studied Law at the University of Reading in the United Kingdom before returning to the country, so we predict that after a successful career in music, he will return to the legal world, maybe as an entertainment lawyer.
(Instagram/FalzTheBadtGuy).
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Ebuka Obi-Uchendu
Ebuka Obi-Uchendu isn’t just smart, eloquent or great at his job but also a trained Lawyer.
Ebuka became popular after his stint at the first edition of ‘Big Brother Naija‘ in 2006.
Since then, there has been no slowing down for him as he has been able to break into every aspect of media in entertainment.
From hosting reality TV shows to having his own TV program ‘Rubbin Minds,’ the Okija born Lawyer has indeed done well for himself.
Ebuka studied Law at the University of Abuja in 2005 and went on to get a Masters Degree in Law from the University of Washington.
In 2020, Ebuka joined the team of a TV law show ‘Judging Matters’ which he anchors. The show deals with small and minor legal issues in Lagos.
(Instagram/Ebuka).
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Omawumi
Omawumi studied Law at Ambrose Alli University, Ekpoma and practised for a while. She also went further to study French.
Omawumi became famous in 2007 as the runner-up on of the first edition of the West African Idols. Since then she has gone on to become one of the biggest female singers from this part of the world.
Omawumi is now married with children but we think she too might one day pick up that wig and storm the courtroom.
(Instagram/Omawonder).
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Richard Mofe-Damijo
Richard Mofe Damijo also known as RMD studied Law at the University of Lagos back in 1997.
For years to come, the entertainment world will continue to talk and sing the praises of Richard Mofe-Damijo (RMD) for his outstanding and yet to be rivalled acting career.
He has remained one of the most sought after and influential actors in Nigeria.
The Delta State-born actor and politician first studied Theatre Arts at the University of Benin. He later went back to the University of Lagos in 1997 where he bagged a Law degree.
Damijo at some point took a break from acting to delve into politics and served as the Commissioner of Culture and Tourism in his home state, Delta.
(Instagram/RichardMofeDamijo).
(Facebook/RMD).
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Funke Akindele
Funke Akindele studied Law at the University of Lagos.
Funke Akindele first came into limelight in the late 1990s in the famous TV drama series ‘I Need To Know.’
Then came her major breakthrough in 2009 when she released the movie ‘Jenifa,’ which has remained of the biggest movies from this part of the world.
Funke initially studied Mass Communication at the Moshood Abiola Polytechnic before gaining admission to the University of Lagos where she studied Law.
(Instagram/FunkeJenifaAkindele).
