For young Laide, it was an unusual environment in which to grow up. Although she spent much of her childhood in Lagos, her father's business brought her into regular contact with established Yoruba actors, directors and producers. In many ways, she was exposed to what could be described as an informal community of theatre and film practitioners, where relationships, mentorship and personal connections often provided pathways into the industry.
One particularly influential figure in her early development was veteran Yoruba actor and filmmaker Muka Ray, a member of the renowned Ray Ejiwunmi family, who encouraged her interest in acting and helped secure her debut screen appearance in the 1999 movie Adeyemi.
Although Bakare did not emerge directly from a traditional travelling theatre troupe, her introduction to acting bore some resemblance to the apprenticeship and patronage arrangements that had helped nurture generations of Yoruba Nollywood performers. The combination of her father's connections, the encouragement of established actors and Muka Ray's personal guidance provided the foundation for what would become a remarkable career.
Interestingly, her original ambition was not necessarily to become an actress. She had initially considered studying Mass Communication, inspired by her interest in broadcasting and journalism. But after completing her primary and secondary education in Lagos, including attending Nigerian Model Secondary School, she proceeded to the University of Ibadan, where she obtained a diploma in Theatre Arts, and later to the University of Lagos, where she earned a degree in History and Strategic Studies.
Her interest in filmmaking would subsequently take her to the United States, where she received professional filmmaking training at the New York Film Academy. For someone who had entered the industry through informal exposure to filmmakers, her educational journey provided an additional foundation in storytelling, performance and production.
At just 19, Bakare took a remarkable step that would distinguish her from many young actresses of her generation. She produced her first movie, Ewe Oju Omi, a Yoruba-language adaptation of Professor Femi Osofisan's play Restless Son of Locust. The film explored themes of love, family rivalry and the consequences of relationships between children whose families were divided by conflict.
The project was an ambitious undertaking for someone so young, particularly in an industry where production financing, marketing and distribution were largely controlled by established filmmakers and industry practitioners. With considerable financial and technical support from her father, alongside the experience of established industry professionals, she recorded a remarkable early achievement that demonstrated the entrepreneurial ambition that would become a defining feature of her career.
Before making her production debut, Bakare's acting career had already taken off in the late 1990s, with Adeyemi, produced by Muka Ray, among her early screen appearances. As Yoruba Nollywood expanded through the home-video era, she became an increasingly familiar face, appearing in numerous productions while developing her own interests as a producer. Her other notable productions include Adun Ewuro, 11:45 and Ijoya.
Her work also attracted industry recognition in 1999, when she won the Best Upcoming Actress award at the THEMA Awards for her performance in Ojo Eye, an early achievement that helped establish her reputation as a promising young actress. She also received a nomination for Most Outstanding Actress in an Indigenous Film at the Africa Movie Academy Awards (AMAA) for Iranse Aje. Her ambitious production Jejere, which featured Nigerian musician 9ice alongside established Nollywood performers, won Best Use of Costume in a Movie at the 2012 Best of Nollywood Awards.
Bakare's entrepreneurial interests eventually extended beyond filmmaking. She established Simline Records, ventured into property development and explored other business opportunities. She also entered the publishing world with her book Becoming Laide Bakare: Make Millions in 6 Months, reflecting her growing interest in entrepreneurship and financial independence.
Her career took another significant turn in February 2024, when she was appointed Senior Special Assistant to Osun State Governor Ademola Adeleke on Entertainment, Art, Culture and Tourism. The appointment marked her formal entry into public service and politics, offering an opportunity to contribute to the development of the state's creative and cultural industries.
Although Bakare has been less prominent in film productions in recent years, she remains a recognisable figure in Nigerian entertainment, particularly through her social media presence. If anything, her activities online have sometimes generated as much conversation as her acting career.
From outspoken comments about relationships and marriage to personal lifestyle choices and unconventional views on parenting, Bakare has frequently attracted public attention, sometimes provoking controversy and heated debate among followers and entertainment commentators.
From a young girl surrounded by cameras and filmmakers at her father's hotel in Ibadan to a 19-year-old movie producer, Laide Bakare's journey remains an intriguing chapter in the history of Yoruba Nollywood.
Her story also reflects the importance of the informal networks that helped sustain the industry during its formative home-video years — networks involving not only actors and directors, but also families, entrepreneurs, equipment suppliers and the communities around them.
Her subsequent achievements in acting, production, education, entrepreneurship and public service demonstrate a career that has continued to evolve beyond its original foundations.
- Jimi D Baldheaded Guy