Nollywood gave us a unique brand of fatherhood. For those who grew up in the 90s and 2000s, these on-screen dads became more than characters; they shaped how we imagined discipline, love, and family dynamics.
Before social media made actors into personalities, these men were already familiar faces on TV screens. Some played the strict traditional patriarchs, others embodied gentle, emotionally aware dads, while a few gave us the chaotic or funny fathers who made family life feel relatable and fun.
As we celebrate International Men’s Day, we spotlight ten Nollywood actors who portrayed fathers and were guiding an entire generation of viewers across Yoruba films, English-language Nollywood, and classic TV series.
Abiodun Ayoyinka
Abiodun Ayoyinka is legendary for his long-running role as Papa Ajasco, the goofy, exaggerated and hilariously flawed father in the iconic Papa Ajasco & Company series. His performance, as a dad who constantly finds himself in ridiculous situations despite trying to lead a normal family life, contributed to a golden era of Nigerian TV shows and comedy. portraying.
His fatherhood is less about authority and more about comedic misadventure; the bald-headed, potbellied dad whose antics taught an entire generation that Nigerian fathers could be funny and clumsy. Some of his most memorable performances remain in Papa Ajasco & Company, Ajasco Reloaded and various stage and TV adaptations of the series.
Akin Lewis
Akin Lewis is one of Nollywood’s most versatile screen fathers, known for bringing charm, authority and humour to his paternal roles. He often portrays the sophisticated, eloquent dad who scolds you with one eyebrow but hugs you two minutes later, depending on the movie plot.
His fatherly character is usually central to family dynamics. Akin Lewis represents the cool, modern Yoruba father figure who parents both strictly and softly.
Some of Akin Lewis’s most notable father roles appear in Tinsel, Hotel Majestic, Madam Dearest (2005), and Your Excellency (2019).
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Funsho Adeolu
Funsho Adeolu is best known for playing the dependable, relatable Nigerian father in Family Ties — a role that transformed him into one of Nollywood’s most recognisable TV dads. His performance seamlessly blends firmness with compassion, portraying a father who works tirelessly to keep his household grounded amidst life’s adversity.
In Family Ties, he embodies the everyday Lagos dad who’s responsible, emotionally available, and sometimes overwhelmed. But he’s always committed to doing right by his family.
Although Family Ties remains his defining fatherhood role, his best acting extends into films like Heroes and Zeros (2012) and The Perfect Arrangement (2022).
Jide Kosoko
Jide Kosoko usually portrays the charismatic, outspoken, slightly dramatic Nigerian dad who’s loud when necessary, soft when it matters. His paternal characters usually blend humour, discipline and traditional authority.
Jide Kosoko represents the expressive, proud, protective Yoruba father. His performances helped define fatherhood in Yoruba Nollywood, particularly for children who grew up in the 1990s and early 2000s.
Some of Jide Kosoko’s most memorable father roles can be found in Ti Oluwa Ni Ile 2 (1993) and The Royal Hibiscus Hotel (2017).
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Kunle Bamtefa
Kunle Bamtefa became an iconic father figure through his unforgettable role as Chief Fuji in Fuji House of Commotion. As the lovable, chaotic patriarch of a polygamous household, he delivered one of Nigerian television’s most memorable portrayals of fatherhood.
His character was the embodiment of the Nigerian dad navigating multiple wives, numerous children, endless drama and zero peace, all with a comedic brilliance that shaped early 2000s TV culture. Fuji House of Commotion remains his definitive father role, although he also had a popular acting career in productions like Saworoide (1999) and Checkmate (1991 to 1994).
Norbert Young
Norbert Young often plays the sensible, calm and sensible father who’s always ready to mediate household chaos with patience. He typically portrays the dad who listens more than he speaks.
He represents the dad who believes in communication, understanding and fairness; a refreshing contrast to the authoritarian parenting style standard in older Nollywood eras.
Some of Norbert Young’s prominent roles include Checkmate (1991-1994) and Edge of Paradise (2006).
Olu Jacobs
Olu Jacobs is one of the most respected veterans in Nollywood. He’s renowned for acting as a dignified, emotionally grounded dad. His characters typically strike a balance between authority and empathy. He’s the kind of dad who won’t yell first, but whose disappointment alone can reset an entire household.
His parenting roles typically portray wisdom, calm leadership and a steady hand that guides younger characters from dangerous paths. On-screen, he embodies the older generation of Nigerian fathers that many will imagine as principled, dependable, patient and reasonable.
Some of Olu Jacobs’ most memorable father roles appear in Adesuwa (2012), Potomanto (2013) and Victims (2017).
Pete Edochie
Pete Edochie is a legendary actor known for often portraying patriarchal figures: authoritative, wise, and wealthy, with a wealth of African idioms and proverbs.
His paternal role is sometimes central to the plot’s conflict, such as a father who disowns a child for going against his wishes or sets strict rules for his family. He represents a generation of Baby Boomers raised in a traditional environment. He has played a father figure so many times that he has earned the reputation as the “father of Nollywood.” He raised millennials and Gen Z by instilling fear and wisdom at the same time.
Some of Pete Edochie’s most iconic roles are in movies such as Things Fall Apart (1987), Igodo (1999), Idemili (2014) and Lionheart (2018).
Richard Mofe-Damijo
RMD is the archetype of the stylish, emotionally intelligent modern Nigerian father. His fatherly characters often serve as the father who comforts, encourages ambitions and insists that family comes before everything.
He represents the aspirational father figure who’s balanced, liberal and easygoing.
RMD’s standout roles appear in The Wedding Party (2016), The Mr X Family Show (2018 – 2023) and The Black Book (2023).
Tony Umez
Tony Umez is Nollywood’s king of soft, emotional fatherhood. So tender, expressive, often tearful and deeply committed to his children’s well-being. His characters embody vulnerability in fatherhood, often putting love above pride or punishment.
Tony Umez represents a generation of fathers who weren’t afraid to cry on-screen, hug their children, or fight the world to protect their family. He raised a generation of gentleness and sincerity, proving that fathers can be nurturing without losing their strength.
Some of Tony Umez’s standout roles appear in Blood Sisters (2003), A Second Time (2004) and Sister’s Heart (2007).
