Saheed Balogun is a veteran Nigerian actor, film-maker, director and producer. His script delivery and action pose artistry earn him the nickname “James Bond” from his fans
Early Life/Education
Saidi Kolawole Alabi Balogun, popularly known as Saheed Balogun, was born in Kwara State on February 5th, 1967. Balogun hails from Ibadan, Oyo State and grew up in Kwara State.
He had his Primary and Secondary educations in Kwara State and also his first degree at the Kwara State Poplytechnic (now Kwara State University) where he studied statistics.
Career
Balogun began acting in 1978, when he presented his first television program titled “Youth Today” on NTA. He produced his first film titled City Girl in 1989 and has since, featured in, produced and directed several Nigerian films.
His entrant to the movie industry as a young boy in 1981 was warmly welcome as his love and passion for the game was untamable. Saidi grew into a tycoon in the industry as he has successfully produced and directed blockbuster movies.
His script delivery and action pose artistry earn him the nickname “James Bond” from his fans.
Movies
- Family on Fire
- Eti Keta
- Banana Island Ghost
- Idajo
- Light in the Dark
- Aye Keji
- Omo Emi
- Emuke
- Club
- Outkast
- The Lost Heir
- Aje Oja
- Modupe Temi (Thankful)
- Gbogbo Ere (Total profit)
- Third-Party
- Ofin Mose
Awards
Balogun has nominated for various awards including the 2012 Nollywood Movie Award for Best Lead Actor in an Indigenous Language and the 2017 City People Movie Award for Yoruba Movie Personality of the Year (Male).
He won the City People Movie Special Recognition Award for his film-making. Saheed Balogun’s salary per movie ranges between $1,000 and $3,000.
Controversies
Saga with Ex-wife, Fathia Balogun
The marriage between Saheed Balogun and Fathia Balogun was one celebrated union as they were seen as a power couple in the Yoruba Nollywood industry, Pulse ng reported.
However, after a few years of a blissful marriage, everything went sour as they both got into a messy divorce which finally ended the marriage in 2006. That marriage produced two children.
The early years after there was faced with a lot of controversies, especially with the fact that Fathia Balogun refused to stop using the surname of her ex-husband.
During one of his interviews with NET back in 2013, Saheed Balogun made a revelation that he wasn’t the father of all of Fathia’s three children, claiming that she had her first child from her previous marriage, making it clear that their union was blessed with two children only.
Even though their divorce is not official, Saheed Balogun was rumored to have gotten married again to another lady even though it was not officially confirmed.
Fathia Balogun, however, shocked everyone on November 2, 2017, when she finally took down her husband’s surname from her Instagram account and her pictures speculating that this would finally bring to rest the end of her marriage to Saheed Balogun.
In a recent interview with Broadway TV, Fathia Balogun revealed that the reason she changed her surname was for her branding. She also revealed that she probably doesn’t have the luck that comes with marriage.
Baba Ijesha Saga
Instagram blogger, Gistlovers had reported that Saheed Balogun was among the Nollywood stars that worked towards the release of Baba Ijesha.
However, the veteran actor in a video shared on his Instagram page refuted the claims saying he has never been in touch with Baba Ijesha since the incident.
He added that he is totally against child rape or abuse as such claims on sponsoring the release of Baba Ijesha is an attempt to smear his reputation.
Personal Life
Balogun was married to a Nigerian Actress, Fathia Balogun but was separated in 2014. Together they have two children – Khalid and Aaliyah Balogun. Balogun has moved on with a new love with a beautiful lady called Funke Tayo Sofowora.
Relationship
Saidi has moved on after legally separating from his ex-wife, Fathia Williams. He is now dating the first cousin of Oba Elegusi, a popular Lagos monarch. Her name is Funke Tayo Sofowora. The lovebirds were spotted together at a classy wedding that Oba Elegusi’s wife threw for her younger sister.
According to Funke herself, she has been with Balogun for about four years now. She is a chartered accountant but she works in the office of the Lagos Attorney General.
Social Media
Instagram: @saidibalogun
Twitter: @saidibalogun