How Mike Afolarin became a New Voice on the Block

 

 

 

By Olumide Labulo 

 

I came across Mike Afolarin in 2022 through a Netflix series, ''Far From Home''. Ironically, he was actually close to fame because that, to me, was his game changer. The success of that movie catapulted him to great heights and I bet if Nollywood had a yearbook or AMCVA had an award category tagged “Most Likely to Succeed'' Mike Afolarin would probably be voted that year. Though times are changing and boys are now men, his journey is a testament to what happens when talent meets discipline, opportunity, and excellence. 

Born Michael Oladapo Afolarin on September 1, 1993, in Lagos State, Nigeria, Mike grew up in a typical Nigerian household that valued education and has a degree in Economics from the University of Lagos. Economics may not sound like the usual first step toward stardom, but in Mike’s case, it gave him the numbers to balance both dreams and budgets. Somewhere between balancing equations and attending lectures at UNILAG, he caught the acting bug. It started on stage, as these things often do, when he performed in plays like ''Magic Time'' and surprisingly, the applause lit a spark that refused to go out. By 2013, he was already known in the university theatre circuit as that actor who took every role seriously, even if it meant losing his voice for three days after a performance. 

If you aren't a deep thinker, you might say the all-round creative who makes success look effortless had it on a platter. But nah! Mike’s early years weren’t all glitz and camera flashes. He hustled like every other Nigerian creative trying to break through: attending auditions, taking small roles, and occasionally wondering whether passion could actually pay the bills. But, as Nollywood loves a good twist, his big break came in 2018 with ''Kasala!''. It's a lively coming-of-age film about Lagos street boys and one unforgettable car. Playing Chikodi, Mike embodied the everyday Nigerian youth: restless, witty, and endlessly resourceful. It was the film that made people start asking, “Who’s that guy?” Fast forward a few years and Mike Afolarin isn’t just “that guy” anymore. He’s the face audiences can’t forget from Netflix’s ''Far From Home'', where he played Ishaya Bello, an ambitious teenager from the slums who dreams of something bigger. The show was a hit not just in Nigeria but globally, and Mike’s performance had everyone rooting for Ishaya-- even when his decisions made you want to shout at your screen. His portrayal was raw, real, and refreshingly unpretentious. Suddenly, Nollywood had a new poster boy for ambition and grit. Since then, Mike’s résumé has expanded faster than Lagos traffic at rush hour. He’s appeared in '''Soólè'', ''Your Excellency'', ''Battle on Buka Street'', and ''House of Ga’a'' . Each project showed off another layer of his talent. But what many don’t know is that Mike isn’t just a front-of-camera kind of guy. He’s also been behind the scenes as a director, cinematographer, and even an aerial photographer. You wonder? Talk about being multi-talented in Nollywood and you have your guy. 

What makes him one of the new voices changing the Nollywood narrative is more than just his acting range; it’s his mindset. Mike belongs to a fresh generation of creatives who are pushing Nollywood beyond the predictable tropes. He chooses scripts that mirror real Nigerian life: complex, funny, sometimes chaotic, but always authentic. He’s not afraid to play flawed characters, the ones with messy dreams and even messier realities, because, as he once said in an interview, “Our stories are powerful not because they’re perfect, but because they’re real.” That’s the kind of storytelling that connects Nigerians. 

In an era where Nollywood is making waves on global streaming platforms, Mike Afolarin represents a refreshing balance of local flavour and international appeal. He doesn’t chase fame; he chases purpose. His performances often feel like you’re watching someone who actually knows the person he’s playing, maybe because he does. His characters feel lived-in, from the way he talks to the way he carries the weight of Lagos hustle on his shoulders. And while some actors are known for being larger than life, Mike stands out precisely because he’s life-sized, genuine, grounded, and quietly confident. Of course, it hasn’t all been smooth sailing. Mike has spoken about the early struggles, the uncertainty, the rejections, and the constant pressure to prove himself in an industry that’s as competitive as it is creative. Yet, those challenges only sharpened his focus. Now, with over a decade in the game and an ever-growing list of film credits, he’s part of the reason global audiences are beginning to take Nollywood seriously. He and his peers are reshaping how African stories are told--shifting from “just entertaining” to meaningful, cinematic, and exportable.

When he’s not on set, Mike enjoys photography, directing short films, and probably doing mental math on how to shoot an entire scene in one take (old habits die hard for an Economics graduate). He’s not married, at least not yet, and he keeps his private life private, which in celebrity terms is practically an art form. His humility is one of the things fans love most about him. In a world where fame often comes with attitude, Mike is refreshingly low-key. He’s the kind of guy who could walk into a café, order suya and chapman, and most people wouldn’t even realize they’re sitting next to a Netflix star. He is that humble. E no get shoulder pad like some people and that's rare!

Today, Mike Afolarin’s name sits comfortably among Nollywood’s rising stars, alongside other young talents giving the industry a much-needed facelift. He’s living proof that you don’t have to shout to be heard; you just have to speak your truth convincingly, consistently, and with heart. Whether he’s playing a street-smart kid, a lover boy, or a conflicted dreamer, Mike brings something that can’t be faked: honesty. And maybe that’s the real reason he’s one of the new voices changing Nollywood’s story because he’s not just acting in it; he’s rewriting it. 

 

I hope you had fun!