Segilola Ogidan: I’ve Always Been an Entertainer…

Segilola Ogidan is one of the stars in the forthcoming romantic-comedy movie, ‘A Naija Christmas’. She talks to Ferdinand Ekechukwu about her character in the Netflix original, produced and directed by Kunle Afolayan. She also shares her experience on the set of the movie and her acting journey

Who is Segilola Ogidan?

Segilola is a multiple award winning Nigerian/British film and T.V actress, writer and director. She is the wife of an amazing man and mother to two wonderful young boys.

How did you get into acting?

According to my dad, I’ve always been an entertainer. I would apparently perform to the neighborhood kids and put on shows when I was a kid. I do remember putting on church plays and performing in school plays in my teenage years and when I was 16, I asked my dad if I could train professionally as an actress. I went to the highly acclaimed Arts Ed in London and trained in acting for Film and TV. During my BA and MA, I was the go to student for graduate student films. After graduating, I landed a role in Peter Pan at The Kings Head Theater directed by Stephanie Sinclaire and that was the beginning of my professional acting career.

How would you describe your journey into acting so far?

It’s literally been a rollercoaster.

Tell us about ‘A Naija Christmas’?

It’s a Nigerian Christmas movie about three guys who have to bring home their potential wives for Christmas to make their mother happy and inherit the family home. They of course don’t have any suitors so they go on a quest to find their perfect women.

What role/character did you play in the movie?

I played the fun, sassy, beautiful, talented, loving Ajike aka Omo Oba aka Ajiks baby and Ugo’s (Kunle Remi) love interest.

What can you say about the role?

I absolutely loved playing Ajiks baby. It was a fun and challenging role to play. Challenging in the sense that I had to learn how to be a local Mushin girl as well as train my vocal chords to sing. I hadn’t done musical theatre in years so when I read that the character was a singer, I was nervous but I was willing to give it a try. I remember singing for the director and he was happy with my voice at that stage and said I should give it a try. So I called one of my friends Chiedza Maburutse who is a professional singer and vocal coach to help train my voice and I can proudly say that I did all of Ajike’s songs in the movie! So if anyone is casting for a musical, hit me up!

What was the experience like on the set of the movie? What was it like working with Rachael Oniga?

It was interesting. Warm. She was so warm and loving and caring. She cared more about other’s well-being than hers. May her soul forever rest in perfect peace.

Does the movie remind you of any experience heard or witnessed in the past?

Ugo and Ajike’s story is your typical love story everywhere in the world. Also Mama wanting her Boys to marry and the desire to be a Grandma is definitely your typical Nigerian story.

What’s the take away from the movie and why should people see ‘A Naija Christmas’?

Look I’ll tell you one thing and it’s not because I play a part in it, but the cast of this movie is one of its strongest elements. Everyone brought their A-game and it was so fun acting alongside these crazy down to earth guys. One of the best ensemble cast I’ve ever seen in a Nigerian movie and that’s one thing I respect Kunle Afolayan for. He doesn’t care about so-called known faces or Instagram numbers. He cares about talent and is the best person for the job and honestly we were the best cast for this movie and once you see it, you’ll see why!

Can you tell us some things about yourself personality wise?

I’m a complete and utter goofball. But shhh don’t tell anyone I said that…