Bamike Olawunmi
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Bamike Olawunmi-Adenibuyan | |
|---|---|
 BamBam in 2024 | |
| Born | April 24, 1989 Lagos, Nigeria |
| Nationality | Nigerian |
| Other names | BamBam |
| Education | Bells University of Technology Royal Arts Academy |
| Occupation(s) | Actress, singer, reality-TV personality |
| Years active | 2017–present |
| Known for | Foreigner’s God (2019), Love in Every Word (2025) |
| Spouse | Tope “Teddy A” Adenibuyan (m. 2019) |
| Children | 2 |
Bamike “Bam Bam” Olawunmi-Adenibuyan is a Nigerian film and stage actress known for her performances in the supernatural drama Foreigner’s God (2019) and the romantic hit Love in Every Word (2025). She has also appeared in notable stage productions including Fela’s Republic & the Kalakuta Queens and Moremi: The Musical.
Early life and education
[edit]Olawunmi-Adenibuyan was born in Lagos to a retired nurse and a Nigerian diplomat. Because of her father’s postings she spent parts of her childhood in the United States, France and the United Kingdom. She obtained primary schooling at Nigerian Navy Primary School, Apapa, and completed secondary education at La Folie St James, Paris. Returning to Nigeria, she earned a bachelor’s degree in Microbiology from Bells University of Technology, Ota, before enrolling at the Royal Arts Academy to study acting.[1]
Career
[edit]Film and television
[edit]- Inspector K (2017) – Recurring role
- Backup Wife (2018) – Supporting role
- Foreigner’s God (2019) – Featured role in Ifan Michael’s period thriller[2]
- Lockdown (2021) – Ensemble cast in pandemic thriller
- Merry Side of You (2024) – Tonia
- Love in Every Word (2025) – Lead role as Chioma. The film surpassed two million YouTube views within 48 hours.[3]
Stage
[edit]- Fela’s Republic & the Kalakuta Queens (2019, Johannesburg) – Ensemble lead[4]
- Moremi: The Musical (2019, Lagos) – Title role (Moremi Ajasoro)
- Ada: The Country (2021, Lagos/Abuja) – Title role
- Love Is… The Musical (2022, Lagos) – Role of Amaka
Other ventures
[edit]In 2021 she launched Bam Beauty Oil, a skincare line reported to have grossed ₦25 million in initial sales.[5]
Personal life
[edit]She married fellow Big Brother Naija alumnus Tope “Teddy A” Adenibuyan on 7 September 2019 in Ogun State; a white ceremony followed on 16 November 2019 in Dubai. The couple have two children.[6]
Selected filmography
[edit]| Year | Title | Role | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2017 | Inspector K | Various | Recurring (web series) |
| 2018 | Backup Wife | TBA | Feature film |
| 2019 | Foreigner’s God | TBA | Feature film |
| 2021 | Lockdown | TBA | Feature film |
| 2024 | Merry Side of You | Tonia | Feature film |
| 2025 | Love in Every Word | Chioma | Lead |
References
[edit]- ^ Punch Newspapers (20 Oct 2018) "I was relieved when I got evicted from Big Brother Nigeria – Bamike Olawunmi"
- ^ THISDAYLIVE (2019) "Movie Fans Await Ifan Michael’s Foreigner’s God"
- ^ BellaNaija (11 Mar 2025) "The Internet Can’t Get Enough of Uzor Arukwe & BamBam’s Chemistry in Love in Every Word"
- ^ CNN Africa (9 Apr 2019) "Fela & the Kalakuta Queens takes South Africa by storm"
- ^ The Nation (2021) "Bam Beauty Oil launch grosses ₦25 million"
- ^ The Guardian (27 May 2020) "BBNaija’s Bam Bam Reveals Her Journey Through Pregnancy"
External links
[edit]Early life and education
[edit]Olawunmi was born in Lagos, Nigeria, the eldest child of a retired nurse and a career diplomat. Because of her father’s postings, she spent parts of her childhood in the United States, France, and the United Kingdom.[1]
She completed primary school at Nigerian Navy Primary School, Apapa, then attended La Folie St James in Paris for post-elementary studies. Returning to Nigeria, she earned a bachelor’s degree in Microbiology from Bells University of Technology, Ota, and later trained in acting at Royal Arts Academy, Lagos.[2]
Acting
[edit]Olawunmi made her screen debut in 2018, appearing in the web series Inspector K. She soon landed supporting parts in Nollywood features such as Backup Wife (2018) and Ifan Michael’s period fantasy Foreigner’s God (2019).[3] Reviews of her performance in Omoni Oboli’s romance Love in Every Word (2025) described it as a "break-out" turn that trended on Nigerian social media within hours of the film’s release.[4]
Career
[edit]Beginnings and Big Brother Naija
[edit]After two audition attempts—Abuja in 2017 and Lagos in early 2018—Olawunmi was selected for Big Brother Naija "Double Wahala" season 3. Although evicted before the finale, she gained national attention and adopted the nickname "Bambam."[2][5][1]
Acting
[edit]Olawumni started her acting career in 2017 when she was still a student of the Royal Arts Academy. Since then she has featured in quite number of movies including Inspector K'’, '‘Backup Wife and Foreigner's God.[1][6][3][7]
In 2025, Bambam played a major role as Chioma on Omoni Oboli's movie "Love in Every Word", which she received positive reviews and got trending on media platforms within hours.[4]
Film and television
[edit]- Inspector K (2017) – Recurring role
- Backup Wife (2018) – Supporting role
- Foreigner’s God (2019) – Featured role in Ifan Michael’s period thriller[3]
- Lockdown (2021) – Ensemble role in pandemic thriller
- Merry Side of You (2024) – Tonia
- Love in Every Word (2025) – Lead role as Chioma. The film surpassed two million YouTube views within 48 hours.[4]
Stage
[edit]- Fela’s Republic & the Kalakuta Queens (2019, Johannesburg) – Ensemble lead[8]
- Moremi: The Musical (2019, Lagos) – Title role (Moremi Ajasoro)
- Ada: The Country (2021, Lagos/Abuja) – Title role
- Love Is… The Musical (2022, Lagos) – Role of Amaka
Other ventures
[edit]In 2021, Olawunmi-Adenibuyan launched Bam Beauty Oil, a skincare line reported to have grossed ₦25 million in initial sales.[9]
Philanthropy and advocacy
[edit]She founded the Bammy Bestowed Foundation, which funds maternal-health outreaches and scholarships for girls. In 2023 she joined MTV Base Africa’s voter-registration campaign alongside 2Baba and Tiwa Savage.[10]
Personal life
[edit]She married fellow Big Brother Naija alumnus Tope "Teddy A" Adenibuyan on 7 September 2019 in Ogun State, followed by a white ceremony on 16 November 2019 in Dubai.[11] The couple have two children.[12][13] In a 2020 interview she disclosed complications during her first childbirth and a subsequent battle with postpartum depression.[13][14]
Selected filmography
[edit]| Year | Title | Role | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2017 | Inspector K | Various | Recurring (web series) |
| 2018 | Backup Wife | TBA | Feature film |
| 2019 | Foreigner’s God | TBA | Feature film |
| 2021 | Lockdown | TBA | Feature film |
| 2024 | Merry Side of You | Tonia | Feature film |
| 2024 | Twin Deception | TBA | Feature film |
| 2025 | Love in Every Word | Chioma | Lead |
Theatre (selected)
[edit]| Year | Production | Role | Venue |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2019 | Fela’s Republic & the Kalakuta Queens | Ensemble lead | Nelson Mandela Theatre, Johannesburg |
| 2019 | Moremi: The Musical | Moremi Ajasoro | Terra Kulture, Lagos |
| 2021 | Ada the Country | Ada | Freedom Park, Lagos–Abuja tour |
References
[edit]- ^ a b c "I was relieved when I got evicted from Big Brother Nigeria – Bamike Olawunmi (Bambam)". Punch Newspapers. 20 October 2018. Retrieved 26 July 2022.
- ^ a b "I Was Relieved When I Got Evicted from Big Brother Nigeria—Bamike Olawunmi". The Punch. 20 October 2018.
- ^ a b c "Movie Fans Await Ifan Michael's Foreigner's God". ThisDay. 26 July 2022. Retrieved 26 July 2022.
- ^ a b c "The Internet Can't Get Enough of Uzor Arukwe & BamBam's Chemistry in Love in Every Word". BellaNaija. 11 March 2025. Retrieved 12 March 2025.
- ^ Premium Times (2 May 2018) "Teddy A, Bambam land Nollywood roles"
- ^ Falade, Tomi. "BamTeddy, Foreigner's God".
- ^ Augoye, Jayne (2 May 2018). "#BBnaija: Teddy A, Bambam land Nollywood roles". Premium Times Nigeria. Retrieved 26 July 2022.
- ^ CNN Africa (9 Apr 2019) "Fela & the Kalakuta Queens takes South Africa by storm"
- ^ The Nation (2021) "Bam Beauty Oil launch grosses ₦25 million"
- ^ MTV Base Africa press release (2023) "PVC drive with 2Baba, Tiwa Savage, Bam Bam"
- ^ "BBNaija Stars Bam Bam, Teddy A Expecting Second Child Together". Daily Trust. 9 February 2022.
- ^ a b "BBNaija's Bam Bam Reveals Her Journey Through Pregnancy". The Guardian. 27 May 2020. Retrieved 26 July 2022.
- ^ CHRISTINE (9 February 2022). "BBNaija Stars Bam Bam, Teddy A Expecting Second Child Together". Daily Trust. Retrieved 26 July 2022.