By Omowunmi Adewuyi
AnayoOnyekwere popularly known as Kanayo O. Kanayo born 1st of March 1962, is a native of 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. He also obtained a master’s degree in political sciences and a Law degree from the University of Abuja in 2018 and was called to the Nigerian Bar in 2020.
Kanayo started his acting career in 1982. He appeared in the 1987 television series “Things Falls Apart” and “Checkmate” that ran from 1991 to 1994.
He made his debut movie appearance in the year 1992, in the film “living in Bondage”.
In 2017, in collaboration with Globacom Communication Company, he became involved in the seasonal TV programme, ‘Professor Johnbull’ in which he plays The Professor.
Since his coming into the industry, he has starred in over 250 Nollywood movies including, ‘Circles of Doom’, ‘Nneka’, ‘Billionaires Club’, ‘Rituals’, ‘Tears for Love’, ‘Living in Bondage’, ‘The Coven’ and ‘Blood Money’ and has since moved on from just acting to Producing, Directing and Filmmaking.
The actor who is usually associated with acting ‘Occultist films’ has been on set with other A list actors like Olujacobs, Pete Edochie, Liz Benson, OmotolaEkehinde, GeneviveNnaji and Justus Esiri.
He was nominated in 2008 for Africa Movie Academy Award for Best Actor for his role in the movie “Across the Niger”. In 2006, he won the Africa Movie Academy Award for Best Actor in a Leading Role for his performance in the movie “Family Battle”.
Kanayo O Kanayo is a United Nations Ambassador and has been honoured by the Nigerian government as a Member of the Federal Republic, the highest award offered to celebrities who have contributed to the growth and development of Nigeria.
In 2011, he contested to represent the people of Ahiazu/EzinihitteMbaise Federal Constituency at the House of Representatives. And in 2013, he received a political appointment from former President Goodluck Jonathan as a board member of the National Institute for Hospitality and Tourism Studies.
Kanayo O. Kanayo owns a Mentoring Academy, with which he seeks to inspire the youths to aspire for greater things.
Kanayo married NnekaOnyekwere in 1999, and the couple have four children.
