My Life In Nollywood: Taye Arimoro

Every week, The Culture Custodian grants you an all-access backstage pass into the lives of Nollywood rock stars. You get to learn about their fascinating backgrounds, the behind-the-scenes stories, and more. This episode features actor Taye Arimoro.

Taye Arimoro was born a twin and grew up as one of the youngest children in a large family. He began his early education at the University of Lagos Staff School before advancing to secondary school, where he developed a keen interest in acting. Between 2007 and 2008, he participated in various stage play competitions, winning the Best Actor award on one occasion. This achievement further ignited his passion and determination to make a mark in the Nigerian entertainment industry. Although he was not drawn to the traditional academic system, Taye wanted to honor his father, an engineer, and chose to pursue a degree in Chemistry and Applied Chemistry at the University of Lagos.

While studying, Arimoro devoted more time to his creative passion and began frequenting auditions hoping to break through as an actor in the Nigerian film industry. He landed his first role in Ojo’s in D’ House, a 2013 EbonyLife sitcom centered on the antics of a middle-class Lagos family. The series follows Mrs. Ojo’s obsession with maintaining appearances to win the approval of high-society elites. In this comedic show, Arimoro portrays Samuel Ojo, the son of the couple, as they navigate life in a new, upscale neighborhood. 

Following his notable debut in an EbonyLife production, Arimoro landed his breakout role in the 2020–2022 Ndani TV web series Game On, cast alongside budding acts like Omowunmi Dada and Eso Dike. He stars as Osaze, Mayowa’s best friend, who helps her end her relationship with her boyfriend, Leye. Afterwards, Mayowa embarks on a series of petty schemes to win Leye back. Arimoro’s performance opened doors for him to work with Niyi Akinmolayan and Anthill Studios on productions such as The House of Secrets (2023), a psychological thriller in which he plays Malik, and Casa De Novia (2024), a CGI-powered production where he portrays twin characters, Efosa (a businessman whose ghost haunts the family mansion that is occupied by a bumbling journalist) and Esosa (the vagrant twin). Arimoro has also starred in films such as Small Talk (2023), Criminal (2024), Freedom Way (2024), Roses and Ivy (2024), When Love Strikes (2024), A Night In 2005 (2024), Red Circle (2025) and a host of other television and YouTube-based productions.

This interview with Taye Arimoro has been edited for clarity. 

When was your first acting audition?

I was already involved in stage plays in secondary school. But in 2011, while I was in university, my elder brother connected me with a producer friend who was casting for a film. At the audition, I received preferential treatment and was called in after a short wait. My audition turned out so bad and I ended up disappointing the producer while feeling embarrassed myself. I was eventually offered a minor “waka pass” role, which I declined, because I realized I wasn’t ready. After that experience, I became more determined to succeed in the industry. Over the next year, I continued auditioning, and, at some point, got a small role  as a flute player in the school project of a French student that had come to film in Nigeria.

What was growing up like and how did your formative experiences spark your creative journey?

I grew up in a large polygamous household, where my mother was the youngest of my father’s wives. Coincidentally, my twin sister and I were the youngest children. I attended primary school at the University of Lagos Staff School. At some point, one of my stepmothers, who was a dean or equivalent official at the Federal College of Education, convinced my father to transfer us from the Staff School. Her primary concern was the overcrowded classes—my class in primary four had nearly a hundred students, making it difficult for teachers to provide adequate attention. She believed we would receive a better education at her institution. Upon transferring to the Federal College of Education, my twin sister and I were supposed to resume primary five. However, after failing an entrance test, we were required to repeat primary four. I was deeply disappointed, and the smaller class size of about twenty students felt strange at first. Later, we wrote the Common Entrance Exams and proceeded to Apostolic Faith Secondary School in Anthony Village, where I completed my secondary education. 

In 2009, choosing a university proved challenging. My sister and I sat for entrance exams at Redeemer’s University and Covenant University, with the University of Lagos (UNILAG) as another option. I was adamant about avoiding private universities, and had a major disagreement with my father over that. I wanted to pursue a career in the entertainment industry and disliked the restrictive environment of private schools. Ultimately, my sister attended a private university, but I chose UNILAG. While I was in school, I frequented my elder brother’s record label, Knighthouse Entertainment, which managed artists like Mo’Cheddah, The Viper, and briefly, Wizkid. I spent time there after school, learning the business side of entertainment, though I had no interest in singing. After a disagreement with one of the artists, I distanced myself from the label, focusing instead on my creative aspirations as a performer and budding filmmaker, despite having no formal experience in film at the time. 

Tell us about securing your first Nollywood role and how it has impacted your career.

In 2013, I auditioned for a sitcom by EbonyLife TV. My brother informed me about the opportunity and funded my trip to the audition, where I arrived late. During the audition, I was asked to state my profile but admitted I didn’t know what that meant, prompting laughter from the crew. My genuine confusion, however, worked in my favor, as it suited the sitcom’s comedic tone. I advanced to the final stage alongside Timini, whom I knew as Dakore’s brother, and was eventually cast in the show, Ojos in D’ House. With no prior training, I faced challenges, including conflicts with the director over memorizing lines. The director was quite critical and often compared me to another actor I had a crush on. It made me doubt my acting career, but I learned that the industry demanded resilience. The experience was a learning curve, and the project, released in 2013, marked my entry into Nollywood. Ojos in the House opened doors to Nollywood, though it didn’t bring fame. My next project, War and Peace, shot in Jos with director Daniel Oriahi, was a contrast. Daniel’s patience and encouragement allowed me to grow, especially after my previous experience made me hesitant to ask questions. Reflecting on my journey, I’ve grown significantly as an actor, learning from each project and embracing the challenges of Nollywood.

Can you highlight significant milestones you’ve recorded as an actor?

My next project after the first two was Ndani TV’s Game On on YouTube. Auditioning for Game On in 2020 was a turning point, as I realized how much I had grown as an actor. I entered the audition room with confidence, and it felt like everyone whose character complemented mine wanted to read with me. I chose to audition with Omowunmi Dada because her energy matched what I needed. It was one of the best auditions of my career. When they said they’d get back to me, I made a lighthearted joke but knew I had performed well. They eventually contacted me, and I felt at ease throughout the filming process. Filming took place in an apartment near the Toll Gate area, but we had to take breaks whenever we heard people shouting outside. At one point, the crew couldn’t travel from their accommodations to the set because of the protest. But then, there were moments on set where the actors and crew bonded deeply.

Having starred in Anthill Studios productions like The House of Secrets, Casa De Novia and Criminal, can you tell us about the genesis and dynamics of the work relationship?

After Game On, I worked on The House of Secrets. The Head of Legal at Anthill Studios, whom I met during the election period, had seen my performance in Game On. So the team contacted me about a new film and invited me for a reading without requiring an audition. Wanting to make my character unique, I learned some Hausa from my bureau de change contact and a woman I was seeing at the time. I proposed to Mr. Niyi that my character speak Hausa, and he approved. To ensure I got it right, I practiced diligently. Fortunately, Shawn Faqua, who also spoke Hausa, was in the same scene, which enhanced our characters’ dynamic. Next was Casa De Novia, a project with a Hollywood-like story. I played two characters, a rarity in Nollywood, joining the ranks of actors like Funke Akindele and Ramsey Nouah. For the deceased twin, Efosa, I performed in front of a green screen, delivering lines to a point on the wall while my co-actor read to a mirror, making it impossible to see her expressions. The VFX team frequently adjusted elements, which could have been distracting, but the experience gave me a taste of Hollywood. Initially, I wasn’t cast, but Victoria Akujobi and Niyi Akinmolayan called me unexpectedly. After the audition, Mr. Niyi asked for a clearer contrast between the two characters. For the “useless” brother, he wanted me to channel the old Jim Iyke vibe. I performed the role multiple times but felt unsure afterward. I messaged Victoria, thanking her and offering to send a tape in a more relaxed setting. She replied that my audition was great, boosting my confidence. However, filming was a different challenge. Playing Esosa, the villain in Casa De Novia, introduced me to antagonistic roles. Anthill Studios kept me in the spotlight. My next milestone was working with Omoni Oboli. Though I wasn’t the social media kind of person, collaborating with Omoni Oboli TV boosted my online presence. My Instagram followers grew from about 6,000 to 20,000, with 97-98% of that growth due to Omoni and her team’s efforts in marketing not only her productions but also her actors and crew.

What dream role would you like to play?

I want to play a spy who has gone through some serious traumatic experiences. I love my characters having depth because I love to draw out deep emotions that people can connect with. I also want to transition into action film roles, and to that effect, I’ve been speaking to some stunt guys in the industry to see when I can start training and get myself prepared. 

How do you balance your personal life with the demands of your acting career?

It is tough, and it is even starting to get tougher. When I’m not working, I spend time visiting my family or hanging out with friends. I haven’t had much rest since last year, so I’ve been taking a short break recently. Still, I’m working on finding a better work-life balance, possibly by focusing on fewer but more impactful projects, which would allow more time for my loved ones and rest. Beyond acting, I have other businesses, including a fashion brand and talent agency. 

What creative interests or hobbies do you pursue outside of acting?

I design clothes, and I like to play video games. I will be doing more voice-over work as well. 

Who are some of your biggest influences in the entertainment industry, and how have they inspired your work as an actor?

There’s Denzel Washington and Damson Idris. Just yesterday, I was invited to a watch party for the Formula film F1 that is out now, and I couldn’t take my eyes off Damson Idris. I remember seeing an audition tape of his  about eight years ago, and that tape was so powerful that I started to follow his work. I also remember a scene of Damson Idris’s in the American crime drama series Snowfall. Combining both memories helped me to approach a particular scene in Casa De Novia where Esosa has an altercation with his mom at the house when she is trying to sell off the house and chase the tenants away. Other actors I respect are Blossom Chukwujekwu and Gabriel Afolayan. For the business side of filmmaking, I love Tyler Perry and would like to replicate some of the choices he has made. 

What more should we expect from you?

There’s a cinema project coming out this December, and more YouTube films. My personal voiceover project is also in the works. I will also be announcing one or two endorsement deals.