Why I Left School Early To Join Theatre — Owobo Ogunde

According to Ireporter Online, veteran actor Owobo Ogunde has opened up about his unconventional journey into the Nigerian creative industry, revealing how he left formal education in Form Three at the age of 14 to join his father, the legendary Hubert Ogunde’s theatre company. Speaking in an interview with Entertainment Editor, Gbenga Bada, Owobo described his upbringing as deeply rooted in performance, noting that he grew up surrounded by actors within his family, including his mother and other relatives who were actively involved in theatre.

He explained that his decision to leave school was not a personal rebellion but a structured move within the family’s artistic system, as his father believed he would develop better in a controlled creative environment after struggling in conventional academics. Owobo added that his early exposure to stagecraft, memorisation of scripts, and live performances provided him with a form of rigorous artistic education that shaped his thinking and creativity differently from formal schooling.

Reflecting on his career, he recalled participating in early landmark productions, including working around major international film projects in Nigeria and later appearing in productions such as Ayanmo. He also clarified that while he was not featured as a lead in the earliest works, he remained actively involved in the theatre ecosystem from a young age.

Owobo further addressed his long break from the industry after travelling abroad in 1992, explaining that his decision was driven by a desire to expand his experience beyond acting, singing, and dancing. He emphasized that although he stepped away for a period, his foundation in performance remained strong, and he now returns with renewed artistic depth.

Speaking on his recent dual role in Iwe Ala, he described the challenge of portraying two distinct characters in a way that prevents audiences from easily identifying them as the same actor, adding that he was drawn to the project because of its unique cultural storytelling and strong production background.

He also hinted at the possibility of future collaborative projects within the Ogunde family, noting that while each family member has pursued different career paths, there is growing potential for more collective creative productions in the years ahead.