Anayo Modestus Onyekwere popularly known as Kanayo O. Kanayo (born 1 March 1962) is a Nigerian actor and a lawyer. In 2006, he won the African Movie Academy Award for Best Actor in a Leading Role for his performance in the movie ''Family Battle''.

Early life and education

Kanayo was born on 1 March 1962, he is a native of Nru Umueze Oboama Ezinihitte in Mbaise Local Government Area of Imo State. He was raised in Aba, Abia State and attended St. Joseph primary school. He had his secondary education at Secondary Technical School, Aba. He obtained a diploma in Mass Communication, a diploma in Law and a graduate degree in philosophy from the

University of Lagos The University of Lagos, popularly known as UNILAG, is a public research university located in Lagos, Nigeria and was founded in 1962. UNILAG is one of the first generation universities in Nigeria and is ranked among the top universities in th ...

. He also obtained a master's degree in political sciences. He also obtained a law degree from the

University of Abuja The University of Abuja is a tertiary institution in the Nigerian capital, Abuja. It was established in January 1988 (under Decree No. 110 of 1992 as amended) as a dual-mode university with the mandate to run conventional and distance learning ...

in 2018 and was called to the

Nigerian Bar The Nigerian Bar Association (NBA) is a non-profit, umbrella professional association of all lawyers admitted to the bar in Nigeria. It is engaged in the promotion and protection of human rights, the rule of law and good governance in Nigeria. T ...

in 2020.

Career

Kanayo started his acting career in 1982, acting in productions by the

Nigerian Television Authority The Nigerian Television Authority or NTA is a Nigerian government-owned and partly commercial broadcast station. Originally known as Nigerian Television (NTV), it was inaugurated in 1977 with a monopoly on national television broadcasting, after ...

. He made his debut movie appearance in the year 1992 in the film ''

Living in Bondage ''Living in Bondage'' is a 1992/93 Nigerian two-part drama thriller film directed by Chris Obi Rapu, written by Kenneth Nnebue and Okechukwu Ogunjiofor, produced by Ogunjiofor, and sponsored by Jafac Wine. The film was shot straight-to-video, and ...

''. He has starred in over 100 films and was nominated in 2008 for African Movie Academy Award for Best Actor for his role in the movie ''Across the Niger''.His most recent movies are '' Up North'' and '' Living in Bondage: Breaking Free''. In 2011, he contested for the Chair of Imo State

House of Representatives House of Representatives is the name of legislative bodies in many countries and sub-national entitles. In many countries, the House of Representatives is the lower house of a bicameral legislature, with the corresponding upper house often c ...

but lost. In 2018, he contested for representative of Ahiazu/Ezinihitte Mbaise in the Federal House Of Representatives under the political party APGA but lost. He has featured in multiple Nollywood productions including '' Lion Heart'' and the sitcom ''

Professor Johnbull ''Professor Johnbull'' is a Nigerian comedy TV series, which has 6 seasons. It is based on reviving morals in the Nigerian society. The series premiered on NTA Network, NTA on StarTimes, and NTA International in July 19, 2016. It was later ai ...

'', however, he is known for playing the role of a Villain in these productions especially in films relating to occultic practices. He has received the order of the MFR. Kanayo was among various Nigerians honored by the government in 2014 during the centenary celebration.

Politics

Kanayo declared his interest on 6 June 2018 to represent the Ahiazu/Ezinihitte Mbaise Federal Constituency of Imo State at the

the following election year which was 2019. He made this know to the public, stating he was going to be under the All Progressives Grand Alliance (APGA). He lost the election but was expected to run the next election year (2023). Kanayo disclosed in 2022 he was not contesting for any position in politics and said, "I will not contest for any political office in 2023. This sacrifice is to enable me to work for a Nigerian President of Igbo extraction."

Filmography

Films

TV shows

Awards and nominations

References

External links

* * 1962 births Living people Male actors from Imo State Nigerian male film actors Igbo male actors Best Actor Africa Movie Academy Award winners 20th-century Nigerian male actors 21st-century Nigerian male actors Members of the Order of the Niger Actors from Imo State University of Lagos alumni People from Mbaise Nigerian actor-politicians University of Abuja alumni Nigerian male television actors {{Nigerian-film-actor-stub