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Adebowale "Debo" Adedayo () (born 3 May 1993),[1] popularly known by his stage name Mr Macaroni, is a Nigerian actor, comedian, and activist.[2][3][4][5] He is known for his online comedy skits and roles in films such as Ponzi (2021), Ayinla (2021), Aníkúlápó (2022), Freedom Way (2024), and Lisabi : The Uprising (2024).[6][7]
Adebowale "Debo" Adedayo | |
|---|---|
 | |
| Born | 3 May 1993 Lagos, Nigeria |
| Nationality | Nigerian |
| Other names | Mr Macaroni |
| Alma mater | Redeemer's University Nigeria |
| Occupation(s) | Actor, Content Producer |
| Years active | 2012–present |
| Website | mrmacaronitv |
Adedayo first gained popularity in 2019 from his satirical skits on social media, playing characters such as the philandering political figure "Daddy Wa" and a strict lecturer, "Professor Hard Life".[8] He popularized catchphrases like "Ooin", "Freaky freaky" and "You are doing well".[9]
He is an advocate for civic empowerment, and most notably was involved in the 2020 #EndSARS movement in Nigeria, when he himself was a victim of police brutality.[10][11]
Since then, Adedayo has increasingly used his platform to champion social causes and frequently combines humor with civic education in his skits.[12][13][14] In 2022 and 2023 he won the Trendupp Awards' Force of Influence award given to the "influencer or content creator who commanded the highest influence in the Nigerian social media space".[15]
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An indigene of Ogun State, Adebowale Babatunde Adedayo was born in Ogudu, Lagos into an Upper middle class, Islamic and Christian family on May 3, 1993. He grew up in Magodo area of Lagos where he attended Tendercare International Nursery. He went to Primary school in Ojota, Ogudu[16] and then attended Babcock University High School. In 2009, he gained admission to Lead City University, where he studied law but was forced to leave by his second year due to the university's accreditation issue.[17]
By 2011, Adedayo was a law student at Houdegbe North American University Cotonou in the Republic of Benin but was forced to leave before earning his degrees.[18][19]
Upon leaving Cotonou, Adedayo decided to discontinue his education and pursue a career in acting. After being featured in a few film and television roles his parents convinced him to resume his education. He went on to study Theatre Arts at Afe Babalola University before switching to Redeemer's University Nigeria in 2013 where he earned a degree in Theatre Arts and Film Studies in 2018.[1][20]
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Adedayo started as an actor[21] in Nollywood before creating comedy videos.[22][23] In an interview with Punch Nigeria, he said that he had been an actor for a long time by doing movies and soap operas.[23] He said movie roles were no longer coming at some point and it took a while before he decided to start online comedy.[23]
Debo's comedy addresses events and real issues in Africa.[24] He always plays the role of a sugar daddy. In an interview with the Nigerian Tribune, he said he chose the role of a sugar daddy because it represents a good percentage of naughty men who cannot control themselves.[25]
His satirical skits highlight social and political issues like bad governance, civic responsibility, and human rights. He typically plays the role of a Sugar daddy politician known as "Daddy Wa" or a strict lecturer known as "Professor Hardlife".[26]
Debo, in an interview with Punch Nigeria, said he knew he had a flair for comedy when he would mimic Pastor Chris Oyakhilome and everyone would laugh.[27]
His skits typically feature veterans of Nollywood and the Nigerian entertainment industry, like Jim Iyke, Bimbo Ademoye, Lateef Adedimeji, Sola Sobowale, Falz and Mr. P. He has also featured fellow skit makers like Oga Sabinus (Mr. Funny), KieKie, Remote, and Broda Shaggi. He has also featured Adeyeye Enitan Ogunwusi, the Ooni of Ife.[28]
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Movies
| Year | Title | Role | Notes | Ref |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2020 | Doubt | Otunba | Directed by Ubong Bassey Nya | |
| 2021 | Ponzi | Uchenna | Ponzi is a 2021 Nigerian comedy movie that was based on the 2016 MMM Ponzi scheme. | [29][30] |
| Ayinla | Bayowa | Ayinla is a musical film based on the life of Ayinla Yusuf, popularly known as Ayinla Omowura, an Apala musician who was stabbed to death by his manager Bayewu in a bar fight on 6 May 1980 at Abeokuta. | [31][32] | |
| 2022 | Survivors | Survivors is a story about two roadside technicians battling for financial success. They ultimately ran upon a criminal named David, who taught them the ropes of kidnapping. | ||
| Aníkúlápó | Akanji | Aníkúlápó narrates the tale of Saro, a man who was looking for a greener pasture. However, due to the course of events and his relationship with the king's wife, he met his untimely death and an enigma known as Akala, a mystical bird thought to grant and revoke life. | [33] | |
| King of Thieves: Agesinkole | ||||
| Brotherhood | Adura | Action / Crime | ||
| 2023 | Gangs of Lagos | Wemimo | Crime / Thriller
Directed by Jadesola Osiberu |
|
| Jagun Jagun | Moyale | Drama / History
Directed by Tope Adebayo and Adebayo Tijani |
||
| 2024 | The Legend of the Vagabond Queen of Lagos | Abisoro | Crime / Drama / Mystery / Thriller | |
| Lisabi: The Uprising | Osokenu | Drama / History |
TV series
Adedayo has been active in the End SARS movement.[38][39]
On Saturday, 13 February 2021, police arrested him at Lekki Toll Gate during the #OccupyLekkiTollgate protest.[40][39]
After staging a sleep-in at the state house in Alausa, with Rinu Oduala and a group of protestors on the 8th of October 2020, Adedayo continued to lend his platform to the protests and became one of the key faces of the #EndSARS movement.[41][42]
In February 2021, upon learning that the government intended to resume tolling at the toll gate, protests resumed once again under the #OccupyLekkiTollGate movement. Adedayo and numerous other protestors were arrested and savagely brutalized by the Nigerian police till public outcry forced their release.[43][44]
He was subsequently picked up among 49 other protesters and arrested for defying the Lagos State directive against the protest. The protesters have since been granted N100,000 bail each and arraigned on charges bordering on flouting the COVID-19 protocol on public gatherings and ‘breaking an order not to protest’.
In October 2021, on the 1-year anniversary of the Lekki massacre, key #EndSARS figures, including Debo, Folarin “Falz” Falana, and others, led a successful drive-by event at the toll gate in memory of the massacre victims.[45][46]
In November 2021, the Lagos State Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu invited key #EndSARS figures and stakeholders to participate in a peace walk. His offer was vehemently rejected by Adedayo, who instead urged the government to implement the findings of the panel that investigated the Lekki massacre.[47]
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| Year | Award | Category | Result | Reference |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2018 | Best of Nollywood Awards | Revelation of the Year – male | Nominated | [48] |
| 2020 | The Future Awards Africa | Content Creation | Won | [49][50] |
| City People Music Award | Comedy Act of the Year | Won | [51] | |
| 2021 | Net Honours | Most Popular Comedian | Nominated | [52] |
| 2022 | Africa Magic Viewers' Choice Awards | Best Online Social Content Creator | Nominated | [53][54] |
| 2021 | Gage Awards | Online Comedian of the Year | Won | [55] |
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