Encomium
Fisayo Ajibola is a Nollywood actress who shot into limelight through her superlative role in the soap, Burning Spear.
In an exclusive interview with ENCOMIUM Weekly, the delectable actress cum student share her success story with us. Excerpts…
When and how did you join the movie industry?
Right from my primary school days, I was involved in activities, including cultural and drama. I was part of every cultural and drama performances at the end of the year party back then in primary school. Getting to Federal Government College, Odogbolu, Ogun State, the zeal for acting came, pressing on. I was discovered by a copper in my school and that was how I became a known actress in the school. I was already in SS2, so it was hard getting back to art class, being a science student. I then made up my mind to pursue my acting career after my secondary school education. As soon as I left college, I gained admission for a three months certificate course in acting at PEFTI Film Institute. I needed to learn the basics of professional acting, being a science student. It was fun all the way because I did so well and I got my very first entertainment job with WAP. Guess what I did? I sang! It was the Nnenna and Friends show for Nigeria’s golden jubilee. I was selected after a singing audition to represent PEFTI Film Institute at the show. I started acting professionally 2011 and my first job that year was Tinsel, where I played alongside Nike Oshinowo (former Miss Nigeria), Titi and Shalewa (character names). I have since featured in Burning Spear, Shadows, Living Next to You, Circle of Interest, Behind The Smile and lots more.
Why did you join the movie industry?
I needed to maximize my God- given talent, and the movie industry was the right place to be. Acting has been part of me for long and the best one can do with talent is to display it. I discovered myself so early and I knew what I wanted, so I went for it. Joining the Nigerian movie industry was one thing I had looked forward to right from my college days, and so far so good, I have been doing well, despite being a full time student.
Which was your first movie and what was the experience?
The first was a TV series, one of those series that never saw the light of the day. I think that was in 2010. I will never forget my experience on set. It was a nice experience though, but shooting my first two scenes for that production was something else. I knew what I wanted to say quite alright but the butterflies in my tummy wouldn’t let me (laughing), coupled with very fast palpitation. After the first day of shoot, I was fine and I got along very fast. The rest is history….
Which movie shot you into limelight?
Not even a movie, it was a TV series. Burning Spear, directed by Segun Kayode and produced by Akin Akindele (nicknamed “Bashorun of Alagbado”), and Shadows, directed by Tunde Olaoye (Distinct), and produced by Felix Omogbehin, brought me to limelight. I have since become a household name and I thank God for seeing me through. A whole lot of people now believe and want to work with me, judging by my work.
You school and act, how do you cope?
Big question. I don’t know what to say because I can’t explain how I cope. But one thing I’m sure that helps me is my temperament- choleric. I find it very easy to multitask but I must confess, it has not been easy! The course Biochemistry is not an easy course; it requires lot of studying and practical work. You can imagine an inborn actress studying the metabolism of carbohydrate, lipid and amino acids; It could be crazy a times but in a way, I have found and enjoyed the essence of the course. After all, I applied for it. Acting requires a lot of travelling, catching up with appointments and all that. Honestly, I can’t explain, but I thank God I am coping.
What are the challenges?
Most producers don’t want to invest on upcoming artistes, and that’s why the old faces are recycled. It takes a bold and strong producer and director to commit a lead role to the hands of an upcoming artiste. Another challenge I face is that I have to convince producers and directors on my availability. Most of the time, my shooting schedule is flexible.
How do you handle male admirers?
Handling male admirers isn’t a big deal. I am a very straightforward person, and I say what I need to say when I have to say them. That doesn’t make me unfriendly; I only make my point known on time. Besides, I have more of male friends.
What informed The Jewel Empowerment Foundation?
Nigeria is a country where an average youth is yet to know his left from the right. Very few young people have discovered themselves; and that’s why some of our youths are involved in fraudulent acts, our young beautiful girls are involved in prostitutions and university graduates sitting back at home, hoping for a job that may never come. I saw young university executives embezzling student’s annual dues, so pathetic. It’s like the average Nigerian youth is hungry, or let me say is desperate for money and so they are ready to do all sorts to get it. Most of them are not ready to study and very few are ready to work. All these show the state of Nigerian government, full of corruption and misplacement of priorities. So, I asked myself, what can be done? What can we do to help our dear country Nigeria? Orientation!!! This keeps ringing in my head, we need to change our mind set, and we need to help the youth get it right. We need to develop and train Nigerians right from nursery on leadership. All these gave birth to The Jewel Empowerment Foundation, formally known as Humane Jewel. The registered organization is ready to make a long lasting 
positive realignment in the lives of youth in Nigeria and world at large, to make them skillful, independent and responsible. Our aim is to reduce societal menace by focusing on the youth through pep talks, seminars on self discovery, leadership, etc and skill acquisition programme, as a result of empowerment. The organization has since commenced duty and has touched over a thousand Nigerian secondary school students since 2012.
We learnt you sing too, what has been the limitation?
I sing but I have not taken that up professionally. I said I sang at the Nnenna and Friends show, organized by the Wale Adenuga Production, years ago. Though, I featured in a friend’s single lately, and the experience was cool. I hope to take it up professionally soon, probably after completing my degree. And I look forward to working with the big names in the music industry.
Can you tell us about yourself?
My name is Fisayo Ajisola, a 300 Level Biochemistry student at the Federal University of Agriculture, Abeokuta, Ogun State. I hail from Ayedun, Ekiti State. I’m an extrovert, love adventure, and I enjoy being free. I am the last child in a family of six, I’m an actress, a singer and a humanitarian. I am living my life for humanity.
-FEMI OYEWALE
