Yoruba Actor Omoba Sanjay Reveals Deep Seated Pain Over Three Year Professional Fallout With Mentor Odunlade Adekola

Yoruba actor Omoba Sanjay opens up about his three-year career hiatus and the painful professional disconnect from his mentor, Odunlade Adekola.

By: AXL Media

Published: Mar 26, 2026, 5:16 AM EDT

Source: The information in this article was sourced from Legit.ng

The Sudden Silence of a Mentor

The Yoruba film industry is reacting to a viral interview featuring Bello Oladipupo, known professionally as Omoba Sanjay, who has broken his silence regarding a fractured bond with his former boss, Odunlade Adekola. Oladipupo described a painful transition from being a respected trainee to facing total professional isolation. According to Oladipupo, the rift began after a specific interaction where Adekola reportedly promised consistent work that never materialized, leaving the younger actor waiting for phone calls that did not come for over thirty-six months.

A Turning Point in the Fold

The actor identified a specific "graduation" gathering as the moment the trajectory of his career shifted unexpectedly. Oladipupo claimed that during this meeting, Adekola informed his established mentees that they were to move on from the group to allow for the grooming of a fresh set of talents. This directive, while presented as a natural progression, allegedly resulted in a complete cessation of opportunities within Adekola’s influential production circles, effectively stalling Oladipupo’s momentum in the competitive Nollywood landscape.

Navigating Professional Rejection

Reflecting on the emotional toll of the fallout, Oladipupo admitted to a significant imbalance in the affection and respect shared between the two actors. He noted that while he always viewed Adekola as a superior and a mentor, the realization eventually dawned on him that his professional loyalty was not being reciprocated in kind. According to Oladipupo, he stayed away from movie roles for three years, a period of silence that he believes was directly tied to his exit from the mentor’s inner circle.