The renowned Yoruba actor, Abijawara Bi Ekun, whose real name is Alhaji Tajudeen Oyewole, recently shared a captivating story from the early days of his acting career.
In a candid conversation, the veteran actor reflected on the unforgettable moment he received his first payment as an actor, revealing how deeply significant that experience was to him during his formative years.
Abijawara revealed that he earned his first acting payment around the time the 5 naira note was newly introduced in Nigeria. To his surprise, he was paid 50 naira for his role—an amount that felt like a fortune at the time.
“I was shocked to receive such an amount. It felt like a big deal back then, and I was overjoyed,” he recalled with a warm smile.
The actor vividly recounted the moment he received a cheque for his first payment, a memory still fresh in his mind. Initially, he was filled with disbelief, wondering if the amount could be enough to buy something as significant as a car. “When I saw the name of a reputable bank on the cheque, I thought it might be fake or a prank. I didn’t cash it immediately,” he admitted.
To keep it safe, he carefully folded the cheque and tucked it into his pocket while filming resumed. With the production team providing meals, there was no immediate need to spend the money, so he chose to safeguard it until the right moment.
When asked how he eventually used the earnings, Abijawara chuckled and revealed that he waited until he got back to his hometown before withdrawing the cash. “I didn’t even tell my wife about it until I had the money in my hands. It felt like a personal victory,” he shared, beaming with pride at the memory of earning from his passion.
His journey—from doubting a simple cheque to becoming a celebrated name in Yoruba cinema—strikes a chord with both aspiring actors and long-time fans. This heartfelt story not only reflects his personal milestones but also captures an era when 50 naira represented dreams, determination, and the beginning of a remarkable career.