Veteran Nigerian actor and academic, Professor Sola Fosudo, has offered a rare glimpse into his life as both a celebrated performer and a respected university lecturer, a dual path he says has enriched his students just as much as it has defined his career.
In a recent interview featured on Oyinmomo TV’s YouTube channel, the award-winning actor opened up about how he has managed to navigate the seemingly contrasting worlds of creative performance and academic discipline — and why he believes his visibility as an actor adds value in the classroom.
“It was a privilege and added advantage to the school and students,” Fosudo said, addressing concerns about balancing teaching responsibilities with his commitments to film production and acting.
Fosudo, who has held academic positions in institutions such as Lagos State University (LASU), shared that when he was interviewed for his academic role, one of the key questions was whether his acting would interfere with his teaching schedule.
His response was clear: his professional work serves as a live case study for his students.
“The performance out there is an advantage to our students because we have the chance to go into detail about what we are doing, and they are also happy that you are their lecturer,” he said.
Drawing a parallel to his own student experience, Fosudo recalled being taught by Prof. Wole Soyinka, the Nobel Laureate and literary icon, during his time at the University of Ife (now Obafemi Awolowo University).
“It’s like when I was in Ife and Prof. Wole Soyinka was our lecturer — we were happy that our lecturer was a well-known personality,” he noted.
For Fosudo, the presence of a well-known figure in the classroom isn’t a distraction — it’s a source of motivation. Students, he explained, draw pride from being associated with lecturers who are active in their fields and recognized publicly.
“And today, our students are also proud of our names,” he said with evident satisfaction.
FOSUDO: WE WERE HAPPY WOLE SOYINKA WAS OUR LECTURER
