Fatai Adekunle Adetayo

Biography

Fatai Adekunle Adetayo, widely known by his stage name Lalude, is a veteran Nigerian actor and theatre practitioner. A titan of the Yoruba film industry, he is synonymous with the role of the "Babalawo" (high priest/herbalist), a persona he cemented with his breakout performance in the classic movie Ogbori Elemosho. He is celebrated for his mastery of incantations and his commanding, often terrifying, on-screen presence. In 2025 and 2026, Lalude is experiencing a career renaissance, bridging the gap between traditional home videos and the Gen-Z digital space. He remains highly active in film, starring in 2025/2026 releases such as "Omo Lalude", "Sanponna", and "Apere Iyalode". His ability to adapt his signature "incantation-chanting" persona into comedy has made him a recurring collaborator with top skit makers like Broda Shaggi and Creative Kamo (who famously gifted him a car in recognition of his legacy). Adetayo made headlines in mid-2025 for his outspokenness regarding the welfare of veteran actors. In a viral interview on the Behind the Fame podcast (June 2025), he publicly criticized political figures and union leaders for unpaid campaign work during the 2023 elections, sparking a wider national conversation about the financial treatment of industry legends. He began his acting career in the 1970s, training with the Odunfa Caucus, and has since featured in hundreds of productions, including Aishepa, Ibinu Balogun, and Mayegun.