Laide Bakare biography covering her age, net worth, husband, children, education, family background, Nollywood career, movies, and businesses.
Laide Bakare is a Nigerian actress, filmmaker, movie producer, entrepreneur, and author who has established herself in the Yoruba-language film industry. Known for her versatility and ability to interpret different characters, she has appeared in numerous Nollywood productions and has also produced films of her own. Over the years, she has expanded her professional activities beyond acting to include business ventures, publishing, and public service.
Born Olaide Bakare on October 7, 1980, in Lagos State, Nigeria, she is originally from Ibadan, Oyo State. Her interest in entertainment developed while she was still young, partly through exposure to filmmakers who visited her father’s hotel. She eventually pursued formal studies in Theatre Arts at the University of Ibadan before obtaining a degree in History and Strategic Studies from the University of Lagos.
Laide Bakare began her acting career in the late 1990s and gained recognition through Yoruba films such as Adeyemi, Iranse Aje, and Jejere. Her work as a producer and entrepreneur has further strengthened her presence in the entertainment industry.
She is also a mother of three and has frequently attracted public attention because of her family life and relationships. In February 2025, she was appointed Senior Special Assistant on Entertainment, Arts, Culture, and Tourism to Osun State Governor Ademola Adeleke.
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Laide Bakare Biography at a Glance
- Full name: Olaide Bakare
- Popular name: Laide Bakare
- Date of birth: October 7, 1980
- Age: 46 years old as of October 2026
- Place of birth: Lagos State, Nigeria
- State of origin: Oyo State, Nigeria
- Nationality: Nigerian
- Profession: Actress, filmmaker, movie producer, entrepreneur, and author
- Education: Theatre Arts at the University of Ibadan; History and Strategic Studies at the University of Lagos
- Children: Three
- Former husband: Alhaji Mutairu Atanda Orilowo
- Marital status: Has discussed plans for a new marriage; current status should be confirmed through her latest public statements
- Known businesses: Simline Records and Simline Properties
- Known for: Yoruba Nollywood movies and film production
- Estimated net worth: Not independently verified
Early Life and Family Background
Laide Bakare was born on October 7, 1980, in Lagos State, Nigeria. Although she was born in Lagos, she is originally from Ibadan, the capital of Oyo State in southwestern Nigeria.
She grew up in a Nigerian family with strong cultural roots. Her father, commonly identified as Alhaji Bakare in published biographies, was reportedly a businessman with interests in hospitality and construction. Her mother is also known as Alhaja Bakare.
Laide has described growing up in a family with several girls and one boy. Her father’s business activities provided an environment in which she encountered people from different professional backgrounds, including individuals working in the Nigerian movie industry.
According to interviews about her early life, filmmakers sometimes stayed at her father’s hotel. Their presence exposed her to aspects of film production and helped her become familiar with the entertainment industry before she officially began acting.
Her parents reportedly supported her interest in filmmaking. Laide has recalled that her father supported some of her early production efforts, while her mother also helped during filming.
This encouragement helped her explore her creative interests while continuing her education. Rather than entering entertainment without preparation, she pursued academic training that would later complement her work in film.
Her early experiences demonstrate how family support and exposure to creative professionals can influence a person’s career choices.
Laide Bakare Age and Date of Birth
Laide Bakare was born on October 7, 1980. She celebrated her 46th birthday on October 7, 2026.
Her birthday is frequently acknowledged by fans, colleagues, and followers on social media. Over the years, she has remained active in the Nigerian entertainment industry while developing interests in business and public service.
Her career began in the late 1990s, meaning she has accumulated more than two decades of experience in Nollywood.
During that period, the Nigerian film industry changed significantly, moving from the home-video era towards cinema releases, digital distribution, and streaming platforms. Laide’s continued involvement in filmmaking reflects her ability to work through different stages of the industry’s development.
Laide Bakare Education
Laide Bakare pursued higher education while developing her interest in acting.
She studied Theatre Arts at the University of Ibadan, where she gained exposure to the academic and practical aspects of performance. Theatre Arts training can cover acting techniques, stage performance, dramatic literature, directing, and other aspects of storytelling.
She later attended the University of Lagos, where she studied History and Strategic Studies.
In an April 2024 interview with Punch, Laide explained that she studied Theatre Arts at the University of Ibadan before continuing her studies in History and Strategic Studies at the University of Lagos.
She also completed the National Youth Service Corps programme. Although she was initially posted to Yobe State, she reportedly redeployed to Lagos State to complete her service year.
Her academic background gave her experience in both the performing arts and humanities. These disciplines can contribute to an actor’s understanding of characters, historical settings, cultural traditions, and social relationships.
Her education also demonstrates that she pursued formal academic qualifications while building a career in entertainment.
How Laide Bakare Started Her Acting Career
Laide Bakare began her journey into Nollywood during the late 1990s.
Her exposure to the film industry began while she was still young, partly because filmmakers visited her father’s hotel. She reportedly assisted people involved in movie production and became increasingly interested in their work.
While studying at the University of Ibadan, she started taking acting more seriously. Her early involvement in film production gave her opportunities to learn about the practical side of the entertainment business.
Her acting debut is widely associated with the Yoruba-language film Adeyemi, produced by Muka Ray in 1999.
The project helped introduce her to audiences and opened the door to additional acting opportunities. As she gained experience, she developed the skills needed to interpret different characters and work with other performers and filmmakers.
Her early career also involved learning about production, an area that later became an important part of her professional activities.
Rather than concentrating exclusively on acting, she gradually explored the possibility of producing movies and establishing businesses connected to entertainment.
Laide Bakare’s Nollywood Career
Laide Bakare has built much of her career in the Yoruba-language film industry, where she has appeared in numerous movies as an actress and producer.
Her performances have covered different genres, including family drama, romance, comedy, and stories involving traditional values and social relationships.
She became associated with films such as Iranse Aje, Jejere, Ewon Ife, Adun Ewuro, Mi O Foworola, and Body Bag.
Her ability to work in Yoruba-language productions has helped her maintain a recognisable presence among audiences who enjoy indigenous Nigerian films.
Over the years, she has worked with different actors, directors, and producers. These professional relationships have contributed to her experience and understanding of the industry.
Her career has also extended into film production. By producing movies, she has been able to take on additional responsibilities involving stories, casting, and the broader creative process.
Laide’s work illustrates how performers can expand their careers by moving between acting, production, and business.
Laide Bakare’s Popular Movies
Throughout her career, Laide Bakare has appeared in and produced a variety of Nigerian films.
1. Adeyemi
Adeyemi, produced by Muka Ray in 1999, is widely identified as the film associated with Laide’s early acting career. The project marked an important step in her journey into Nollywood.
2. Iranse Aje
Iranse Aje is one of the productions associated with her career. Her performance earned her a nomination in the Indigenous Category at the fourth Africa Movie Academy Awards in 2008.
The nomination helped bring attention to her work in Yoruba-language cinema.
3. Jejere
Jejere is another notable production connected with Laide Bakare. The film received recognition at the 2012 Best of Nollywood Awards, where it won in the Best Costume Design category.
Its premiere in the United Kingdom also reflected the international interest in Nigerian indigenous-language films.
4. Ewon Ife
Ewon Ife is among the titles associated with Laide’s acting career. It forms part of the range of Yoruba-language productions in which she has participated.
5. Adun Ewuro
Adun Ewuro is another film linked to her work in the Nigerian entertainment industry. It reflects her involvement in productions aimed at audiences who enjoy Yoruba-language storytelling.
6. Mi O Foworola
Mi O Foworola is among the films associated with Laide’s career as an actress and filmmaker. Her involvement in production has helped her explore different responsibilities within the industry.
7. Body Bag
Body Bag is another title connected with her filmography. It contributes to the range of projects she has worked on during her time in Nollywood.
Her filmography continues to be discussed by fans interested in Yoruba cinema and the development of the Nigerian movie industry.
Laide Bakare as a Movie Producer
In addition to acting, Laide Bakare has developed experience as a movie producer.
Producing films involves responsibilities beyond performing in front of the camera. Producers may participate in developing stories, arranging financing, selecting cast members, coordinating production, and preparing projects for distribution.
Laide’s experience in the industry has helped her understand these different responsibilities.
She reportedly produced her first movie while studying at the university. This early involvement in production allowed her to explore filmmaking from another perspective.
Her decision to become a producer also gave her greater opportunities to participate in the selection and development of projects.
Producing her own films has formed an important part of her professional identity, alongside acting and other entertainment-related activities.
Laide Bakare Businesses and Entrepreneurship
Laide Bakare has explored business opportunities beyond her work in movies.
Simline Records
Laide established Simline Records, a music label intended to support musical talent and create opportunities within the entertainment business.
In a 2016 interview with Punch, she discussed the record label and explained that she wanted to work with talented artists while building a business of her own.
The venture demonstrated her interest in exploring different areas of entertainment rather than limiting herself to acting.
Simline Properties
Laide has also been associated with Simline Properties, a real estate venture.
Real estate can provide opportunities for long-term investment and business development, although the size and financial performance of her property interests are not publicly verified.
Authorship
In 2024, Laide published a book titled Becoming Laide Bakare: Make Millions in 6 Months.
The book added authorship to her professional activities and reflected her interest in entrepreneurship and personal development.
Although the title makes a financial-success claim, it should not be interpreted as a guarantee that readers will earn a particular amount of money.
Her work across entertainment, property, music, and publishing demonstrates an interest in diversifying her professional activities.
Laide Bakare Net Worth and Sources of Income
Laide Bakare’s exact net worth has not been independently verified.
Some entertainment websites estimate her wealth at approximately $1.6 million, but these figures are speculative and should not be treated as confirmed financial information.
Her potential sources of income include acting, movie production, real estate, music-related ventures, brand partnerships, public appearances, and book sales.
Acting and Movie Production
Acting has been a major part of Laide’s professional life. Her work in Yoruba-language films has provided opportunities to earn income through acting contracts.
Her activities as a producer may also generate earnings, depending on how individual projects are financed and distributed.
Real Estate
Her association with Simline Properties provides another potential source of business income. However, the value of her properties, investments, and liabilities is not publicly established.
Music and Entertainment Businesses
Simline Records represents another business interest connected with her career. The current size and financial performance of the venture are not independently verified.
Brand Partnerships and Public Appearances
Established entertainers may earn income from promotional campaigns, endorsements, event appearances, and partnerships with commercial brands.
Laide’s public profile may provide opportunities in these areas, although the details of individual contracts are not publicly available.
Book Sales
Her 2024 book also provides a potential source of income through publishing and sales.
Overall, Laide’s career spans several professional activities. Nevertheless, without reliable financial statements or verified information about her assets and liabilities, her exact net worth cannot be calculated accurately.
Laide Bakare Husband and Marriage History
Laide Bakare’s relationships and marriage history have attracted considerable public attention.
She has three children from two relationships. Her daughter, Similoluwa, is associated with her former relationship with Olumide Okufulure, while her two sons are from her relationship and marriage with Alhaji Mutairu Atanda Orilowo.
Laide has previously clarified in interviews that she was not married to Olumide Okufulure, although they had a relationship and a daughter together.
She married Mutairu Atanda Orilowo in 2013, but the relationship later ended.
In April 2026, reports about Laide’s comments on marriage attracted renewed attention. She reportedly described an upcoming marriage as her first official marriage, a statement that generated discussion because of her previous relationship history.
However, the identity of a prospective new husband and a confirmed wedding date should not be stated as fact without reliable confirmation.
As of October 2026, the most responsible approach is to distinguish her documented past relationship and marriage history from claims about her current relationship status.
Laide Bakare Children and Family Life
Laide Bakare is widely reported to have three children: one daughter and two sons.
Her daughter, Similoluwa, popularly known as Simi, was born on September 3, 2008, according to published biographies. She is associated with Laide’s former relationship with Olumide Okufulure.
Her two sons, Oluwadamilare and Oluwajomiloju, are associated with her former marriage to Mutairu Atanda Orilowo.
Laide has occasionally shared family experiences publicly and discussed the responsibilities of raising children while maintaining a demanding career.
In October 2026, she raised concerns about the welfare of her two sons during an ongoing custody dispute with her former husband. She alleged that the boys were being mistreated while in his custody and appealed publicly for help resolving the situation.
These allegations were reported by Nigerian media, but they had not been independently confirmed in the reports available at the time. They should therefore be understood as claims made by Laide rather than established findings.
The dispute highlights the difficulties families can face after separation, particularly when parents disagree over custody and access to their children.
Laide’s family life remains a personal matter, and the welfare and privacy of her children are important considerations when discussing these developments.
Laide Bakare Political Appointment
Laide Bakare expanded her public activities beyond entertainment when she was appointed Senior Special Assistant on Entertainment, Arts, Culture, and Tourism to Osun State Governor Ademola Adeleke in February 2025.
The appointment connected her experience in film and entertainment with a government role involving the arts, cultural activities, and tourism.
These sectors can contribute to cultural preservation, creative-industry development, and the promotion of local attractions.
Her appointment also reflects a wider pattern in Nigeria, where entertainers and other public figures sometimes take on advisory or public-service responsibilities.
However, an appointment does not automatically establish the results of an individual’s work. Any assessment of specific achievements in the position would require evidence about projects undertaken and their outcomes.
The role added another dimension to Laide’s public profile, which already included acting, production, entrepreneurship, and authorship.
Laide Bakare Awards and Achievements
Laide Bakare has received recognition for her work in Nigerian cinema.
One of her notable achievements was her nomination in the Indigenous Category at the fourth Africa Movie Academy Awards in 2008 for her performance in Iranse Aje.
Her film Jejere also received recognition at the 2012 Best of Nollywood Awards, where it won the Best Costume Design category.
Beyond these recognitions, her long involvement in Yoruba-language filmmaking represents an important part of her professional journey.
She has continued to explore opportunities in production and business while maintaining her identity as an actress.
Her career demonstrates the different ways entertainers can contribute to the film industry, including through acting, producing, supporting other creative professionals, and developing businesses.
Conclusion
Laide Bakare is a Nigerian actress, filmmaker, movie producer, entrepreneur, and author who has built a career in Yoruba-language Nollywood spanning more than two decades.
Born on October 7, 1980, in Lagos State, she is originally from Ibadan, Oyo State. She studied Theatre Arts at the University of Ibadan and later earned a degree in History and Strategic Studies from the University of Lagos.
Her acting career began in the late 1990s, with Adeyemi widely identified as her debut film. She subsequently appeared in and produced several projects, including Iranse Aje, Jejere, and Ewon Ife.
Beyond acting, she has explored business through Simline Records and Simline Properties and published a book in 2024. Her appointment as a government aide in Osun State in 2025 further expanded her public responsibilities.
Laide is the mother of three children and has experienced public attention surrounding her relationships and family life. Her exact net worth remains unverified, although she has several professional activities that may contribute to her income.
Her journey illustrates how an entertainer can combine acting, film production, entrepreneurship, publishing, and public service while continuing to evolve professionally.