Sola Sobowale: Biography, career, net worth, family, lookalike

Sola Sobowale is a Nollywood actress, screenwriter, director, and producer. She is a household name who rose to fame after playing Toyin Tomato in the popular 2001 Super Story series, Oh Father, Oh Daughter.

The fiery actress is an icon whose role in the popular blockbuster movie King of Boys has endeared her to many. She has contributed immensely to the growth of the Nigerian movie industry. We have taken our time to do a full biography so her fans, both at home and abroad, will get to know about their favorite veteran actress.

Table of Content hide 1Sola Sobowale Biography 2Career 3Movies 4Net worth 5Family 6Look alike 7Conclusion

Sola Sobowale Biography

Sola Sobowale was born on December 26, 1963, in Ondo State, South-West Nigeria. She comes from a family of teachers as her father was a secondary school principal while her mother was a headmistress. According to her, her parents were very strict, which influenced her acting.

Sobowale had her primary school and secondary education in Ondo State. After that, she proceeded to the University of Ibadan to study Music but later switched to obtain a Bachelor of Arts degree in Theatre Arts.

Career

Sola Sobowale got into the movie industry through the help of her brother-in-law, Tunji Oyelana. He was also instrumental in her gaining admission into the university. Reports revealed that Sobowale’s parents initially didn’t want her to take acting as a career. But after a lot of persuasion from her brother-in-law, who convinced them that acting wouldn’t lead her to prostitution, they gave their blessings.

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Sobowale landed her first role in the 80s sitcom, Suara the Tailor. Oyelana also played the lead actor. The sitcom aired on NTA Ibadan and was very popular among viewers, which earned Sobowale her first recognition.

Her performance in Suara the Tailor led her into acting gigs in other TV Productions like The Village Headmaster, Mirror in the Sun, Our Husband Has Gone Mad Again, etc.

In 1992, she joined the popular Yoruba theatre group Awada Kerikeri, led by Adebayo Salami, a.k.a. Oga Bello. She also played the role of Mrs. Ijeoma in the 1998 blockbuster movie Diamond Ring.

However, Sobowale got her biggest break in acting when she played Toyin Tomato in the 2001 popular Super Story TV series, Oh Father, Oh Daughter. Her sterling performance in the role rose her to stardom. Many fans still refer to her as Toyin Tomato to date.

For several years, she took a break from acting and joined her family in the United Kingdom. Later on, she revealed she took a break to be there for her children’s education.

Sobowale returned to acting with a bang as she featured in the record-breaking movie The Wedding Party in 2016. She also featured in the less acclaimed sequel The Wedding Party 2.

In 2018, she captured the hearts of many with her extraordinary performance as the no-nonsense Alhaja Eniola Salami in the blockbuster movie King of Boys.

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Movies

Sola Sobowale has featured in many critically acclaimed Yoruba and English Nollywood movies. Some of her movies are:

• King of Boys
• King of Boys 2
• OMAMBALA (post-production)
• Disoriented Generation
• Ogójì oj
• The Wedding Party
• The Wedding Party 2: Destination Dubai
• Wives on Strike 2
• Christmas is Coming
• Ayomida
• Ladies World
• Oore ayò
• Temi ni tie ko
• A Can of Worms
• A Can of Worms 2
• Aya mi òwòn: Madam Dearest
• Deadly Decision
• Eto ikoko
• Níbolójásí
• Travails of Fate
• 11:45… Too Late
• Forgiveness
• Idajo mi tide
• Ijakumo
• The Cartel
• Opin irin ajo
• The Price of Love: Life Is Beautiful
• Total Disgrace
• Love from Above
• Omo oku òrun
• Kosorogun
• Omo inu oku
• Outkast
• Lagidigba
• Tani kin fe?
• The Last Knight
• Dangerous Twins
• Hope of Glory
• Teni N Teni
• Billionaires Club
• Christ in Me
• Jawonbe
• Òkanlomo
• Oyato
• The Outsider
• Timba t’aiye wa
• Oduduwa
• Diamond Ring 2
• Unforgettable
• Emotional Tears
• Holy Violence

Net worth

Sola Sobowale has enjoyed a very successful acting career. She was reportedly paid between N500,000 and N1.5 million in some of her roles. Apart from her acting, Sobowale has signed multimillion naira endorsement deals with big brands and companies. She is a brand ambassador for BSTAN Homes, Nigerian telecommunication giant Globacom, and Mouka mattress, to mention but a few.

Her net worth is estimated at N249 million ($600,000), making her one of the richest actresses in Nigeria.

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Family

Sola Sobowale is married to Mr. Oludotun Sobowale, a former corporate executive director of Eko Hotels and Healthcare in Lagos State. They are blessed with five children – three girls and two boys. Little is known about her husband as he keeps a low profile and rarely makes public appearances.

However, her children are successful in their various ventures. Her first son, Oyeyemi Olugboyega Ajiboye, is an engineer and has worked with telecoms company, Etisalat, in the past. Rumours have it that Gboyega is not the biological son of Oludotun Sobowale, which explains why his surname is different. But Gboyega is married to Fidelia Unoju, a medical laboratory scientist from Delta State. Their wedding was held in a lavish ceremony on November 1, 2014, at NECA Hall Ikeja, Lagos. Many notable personalities and celebrities attended the occasion.

Sobowale also has two twin girls, Taiwo and Kehinde Sobowale. The twins were born on August 31, 1990. Taiwo is a graduate of Public Relations and Advertising from Northampton University, UK. Like her mother, she is a Nollywood actress who has starred in the series Everyday People and Sola Sobowale’s movie, Ohun Oko Somida. Taiwo described herself as a jack of all trades, having ventured into fashion, music, and other entertainment sectors.

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Her twin Kehinde Sobowale is a graduate of Accounting and Finance from Northampton University. She is an ACCA holder and works for an investment firm in London, Ariadne Capital, as a Financial Accountant.

Sobowale’s third daughter’s name is Olamide Sobowale, popularly known as Mimi Sobowale. She is a London-based make-up artist, YouTuber, blogger, and digital content creator. Mimi is a graduate of Business Information System from Middlesex University.

Nothing is currently known about Sobowale’s last born, a boy.

Look alike

Sola Sobowale has been linked with late veteran actress Rachel Oniga as her look alike. Both actresses are regarded as queens of Nollywood, and they have the same style of fierce acting. Oniga died on July 30, 2021, from a heart-related disease.

Also, award-winning Nollywood actress Toyin Abraham shared her photos on Instagram showing her resemblance to Sobowale.

Conclusion

Sola Sobowale is a Nollywood icon who has risen to where she is today with determination, hard work, and perseverance. She is an inspiration to upcoming actresses struggling to make it in the industry. She may be the fierce Eniola Salami but she will always remain Toyin Tomato in our hearts.

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