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Anayo Modestus Onyekwere (born 1 March 1962), known as Kanayo O. Kanayo, is a Nigerian actor, lawyer, and politician. He is best known for playing Chief Omego in the 1992 film Living in Bondage.
Kanayo has appeared in over 250 films, including Nneka the Pretty Serpent, Blood Money, Circles of Doom, Lost Kingdom, Billionaires Club, and Fire on the Mountain. He received the Industry Merit Award at the 12th Africa Magic Viewers’ Choice Awards.
| Kanayo O. Kanayo | |
|---|---|
 | |
| Personal Details | |
| Name: | Anayo Modestus Onyekwere |
| Born: | 1 March 1962 (age 64 years old) |
| Place of birth: | Mbaise, Imo State, Nigeria |
| Nationality: | Nigerian |
| State of Origin: | Imo |
| Parents: | Donatus Onyekwere (father) Ezinne Isabella Onyekwere (mother) |
| Alma mater: | University of Lagos University of Abuja |
| Occupation: | Actor, lawyer |
| Years active: | 1982 – date |
| Spouse: | Nneka Onyekwere (1999) |
| Children: | Uloaku (daughter) Kosisochukwu (son) Clinton (son) Einstein (son) |
Early Life
Kanayo was born on 1 March 1962 in Mbaise, Imo State, Nigeria, to Donatus and Ezinne Isabella Onyekwere. He has three siblings, including his two sisters, Chinasaokwu and Cordelia, and late elder brother, John Onyekwere.
Education
Kanayo attended Saint Joseph Primary School and Ahiara Boys Secondary School in Imo State. He holds a Bachelor’s degree in Philosophy and a Master’s degree in Political Science from the University of Lagos.
In 2018, Kanayo obtained a Law degree from the University of Abuja and was called to the Nigerian Bar on 15 September 2020.
Career
Kanayo made his acting debut in 1982 and has featured in productions by the Nigerian Television Authority (NTA), including as a guest star in the television show New Masquerade. He has appeared in other drama series like Ripples and Village Headmaster.
He also played roles in the 1987 series Checkmates and Chinua Achebe’s adaptation Things Fall Apart.
Kanayo made his film debut as Chief Omego in the 1992 film Living in Bondage. He has since appeared in other films such as Rituals, Blood Money, Living Dead, Desperate Billionaire, Circles of Doom, Lost Kingdom, and Billionaires Club.
The 64-year-old has also appeared in the films Fire on the Mountain, Grandpa Must Obey, Across the Niger, and Family Battle. He portrayed Okafor in the 2014 thriller film October 1, produced and directed by Kunle Afolayan.
The veteran actor was a guest speaker at Ikenga Online’s November 2023 Town Hall Meeting on the topic Rituals, Riches, and Realities: The Myths of Money-Making and the Dignity of Labour.
Kanayo was conferred with the title of Member of the Order of the Federal Republic (MFR) in 2014 and has also served as a United Nations ambassador. He has appeared on top Nigerian podcasts including The Honest Bunch and Curiosity Made Me Ask.
Politics
Apart from acting, Kanayo has also been involved in politics. He contested the 2011 National Assembly elections to represent Ahiazu/Ezinihitte Mbaise Federal Constituency of Imo State.
In 2012, Kanayo was appointed Board Chairman of the National Institute for Hospitality & Tourism Studies. He also contested in the 2019 National Assembly elections to represent Ahiazu/Ezinihitte Mbaise Federal Constituency of Imo State. He did not contest for any political office in 2023.
Awards
Kanayo won Most Prominent Actor in Nigeria and Best Actor in a Leading Role at the African Movie Academy Awards (AMAA) in 2005 and 2006, respectively. He was nominated in the same category in 2008 for his performance in the film Across the Niger.
In 2024, Kanayo received a Lifetime Achievement Award at the Best of Nollywood (BON) Awards. He was also honoured with the Industry Merit Award at the 12th Africa Magic Viewers’ Choice Awards held on Saturday night in Lagos in 2026.
On 5 September 2026, Kanayo was conferred with the traditional chieftaincy title of Utsu Ufum 1 of Obudu.
Personal Life
In 1999, Kanayo married his wife, Nneka Onyekwere. They have four children – three sons, Kosisochukwu, Clinton, and Einstein, and one daughter, Uloaku.
Sadly, his father, Donatus Onyekwere, passed away on 24 June 1984, and his mother, Ezinne Onyekwere, passed away on 5 January 2011.
Filmography
- Living in Bondage (1992)
- Circle of Doom (1993)
- Nneka the Pretty Serpent (1994)
- Blood Money: The Vulture Men (1997)
- Rituals (1997)
- Blood Money: The Vulture Men 2 (1998)
- Full Moon (1998)
- Festival of Fire (1999)
- Chains (1999)
- In Seven Days (1999)
- Battle of Love (2000)
- Kids Are Angry (2001)
- Evil-Doers (2002)
- Billionaire’s Club (2003)
- Across the Niger (2004)
- Money is Money (2005)
- End of Money (2005)
- Before Ordination (2006)
- Cover Up (2007)
- Sin No More (2008)
- Lost Desire (2009)
- Apaye (2014)
- October 1 (2014)
- A Little Lie (2016)
- Celebrity Marriage (2017)
- Up North (2018)
- Lion Heart (2018)
- Detour (2021)
- Unexpected (2022)
- Almajiri (2022)
- Charlie and the Boys (2023)
- Finding Odera (2023)
- Zarz End (2023)
- Áfàméfùnà: An Nwa Boi Story (2023)
- Out of Breath (2024)
- Dear God (2024)
References
- Taiwo Okanlawon. “Nollywood actor Kanayo O. Kanayo eulogises late parents”. PM News.
- Linda Ikeji. “Actor Kanayo O Kanayo appointed board chairman of NIHTS”. Linda Ikeji’s Blog.
- Olayiwola Ajisafe. “Kanayo O Kanayo, Madam Saje to receive 2024 BON lifetime achievement awards”. Punch Newspapers.
- Nosakhale Akhimien. “AMVCA 2026: Sola Sobowale, Kanayo O. Kanayo Honoured With Industry Merit Award”. Channels Television.
- Adeoye Faith. “Kanayo O. Kanayo called to Bar”. Tribune Online.
- Omosola. “Meet Kanayo Kanayo’s first son making Nollywood debut (PHOTOS)”. Premium Times.
- Sylvester Kwentua. “Why Kanayo O. Kanayo, Yul Edochie, Kate Henshaw not contesting in 2023 elections”. Vanguard News.
- Omoleye Omoruyi. “Kanayo O. Kanayo: What Better Title Than Veteran?”. Guardian Life.
- Itunu Azeez Kareem. “Kanayo O Kanayo Speaks: Money Can’t Be Made Through Rituals“. Guardian Life.
