It is a moment of immense celebration and pride for Nollywood actor Ibrahim Yekini, popularly known as Itele, as he secures a highly coveted spot among the Top 10 YouTube creators in Nigeria. This significant achievement places the Yoruba movie star at number two, surpassing several English-speaking colleagues, including notable names like Uchenna Mbunabo, Saira Movies, Ruth Kadiri, and Uche Montana TV.
Overflowing with appreciation, Itele took to his Instagram page to share the good news with his followers. He expressed heartfelt gratitude for the journey so far, acknowledging the unwavering love and support he has received. The actor noted that this ranking serves as concrete evidence that his project, Koleosho, is truly a “film of the century,” having generated the highest views for a single story and title in Nigeria.
“Ranked No. 2 among the Top 10 YouTube Creators in Nigeria,” he wrote, beaming with pride. “Grateful for the love, the support, and the journey so far. This is proof that Koleoso is truly a film of the century—one story, one title, with the highest views in Nigeria.”
He made sure to thank his dedicated “Koleosho family” for their belief, resilience, and commitment to driving the vision forward, urging everyone to “Trust the journey. Trust the prophecy.”
The comment section of his post quickly became a cascade of congratulations from industry peers. His wife led the charge, simply writing, “My man repping.” Veteran actors were quick to celebrate his success, with Ibrahim Chatta saying, “Buremoh, congratulations o. Oro mi se, tabi o se?” Femi Adebayo lauded him, calling the win one for all: “This is a win for all, icon. You’re a genius. Proud of you, always my brother.” Mo Bimpe celebrated the victory as “Huge! Big congratulations, my own icon,” while Muyiwa Ademola showed support with fire emojis. Actress Bimpe Akintunde commented fondly, “I call him Itele Alalubarika from way back. Congratulations brother man,” alongside well wishes from Toyin Alausa, Sharafadeen Olabode, Aisha Lawal, Regina Chukwu, and Adeniyi Johnson, who simply called him “Iconic.”
A Journey Marked by Struggle and Recognition
Itele’s rise to prominence in Nollywood has been a tough road paved with dedication. Earlier this year, in a candid interview, the actor opened up about the severe pre-fame struggles he endured, confessing to facing life-threatening challenges. He vividly recalled a time when he was selling jewellery in a village in Bauchi, acknowledging the timely assistance he received from a person he called Papa T. He also expressed profound gratitude to Femi Adebayo for the significant positive impact the senior colleague made on his life and career.
The actor’s hard work has certainly paid off. Last year, he received widespread acclaim for his stellar performance in the epic film Jagun Jagun, earning substantial praise from fans and critics alike. Reacting to the positive reception, Itele pledged to continually strive to please his audience, expressing his thankfulness for all the accolades.
His ambition shows no sign of slowing down. In 2023, he announced his intention to join industry heavyweights like Femi Adebayo and Odunlade Adekola in dominating the box office with his teased movie, Kesari. While making the announcement on his page, the talented role interpreter reflected on how working with Funke Akindele and Femi Adebayo had uniquely challenged him in his craft. That same year proved to be incredibly successful, as Itele bagged a double award, clinching both Best Actor of the Year and Best Director of the Year, beating out senior colleagues such as Afeez Owo, Kolawole Ajeyemi, and Segun Ogungbe.
Beyond film awards, Itele’s consistent hard work and contributions to the entertainment industry were also recognized with a notable leadership award, which reflected not just his professional achievements but also his character within society and his role as a mentor to young people
