Bukky Ajayi (February 2, 1934 – July 6, 2016) was a Nigerian actress, known for her roles in films such as “Village Headmaster”, “Checkmate”, “Diamond Ring”, and “Witches”. She was one of the pioneers of Nollywood, and her contributions to the Nigerian film industry were recognized with several awards, including the Industry Merit Award at the 2016 Africa Magic Viewers Choice Awards.
Ajayi was born in Lagos, Nigeria, in 1934. She studied drama at the prestigious Stanislavsky Institute of Drama, London, and returned to Nigeria in 1965. She began her career as a presenter and newscaster for the Nigerian Television Authority (NTA), and later transitioned into acting.
Ajayi was a versatile actress who could play a wide range of roles. She was known for her strong acting skills and her ability to bring characters to life. She was also a pioneer in the Nigerian film industry, and her contributions to the industry were recognized with several awards.
Ajayi died on July 6, 2016, at the age of 82. She was a legend in the Nigerian film industry, and her death was a great loss to the industry. She will be remembered for her talent, her dedication, and her contributions to the Nigerian film industry.
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Educational and Acting career of Bukky Ajayi
Bukky Ajayi was born and raised in Nigeria but completed her higher education in England, United Kingdom with the support of a federal government scholarship. In 1965, she left England for Nigeria where her career began as a presenter and newscaster for Nigerian Television Authority in 1966. Ajayi made her film debut in the television series Village Headmaster during the ’70s before she went on to feature in Checkmate, a Nigeria television series that aired in the early 1990s.
During her acting career, she featured in several films and television series including Critical Assignment, Diamond Ring, Witches among others. In 2016, her contributions to the Nigerian film industry was recognized after she and Sadiq Daba were awarded the Industry Merit Award.
Movies
2013 Mother of George
2009 Bolode O’ku
Òréré Layé
2008 Amoye
Iya Mi Tooto
2007 A Brighter Sun
Big Heart Treasure
Fine Things
Keep My Will
2006 Women of Faith
2005 Bridge-Stone
Destiny’s Challenge
Women’s Cot
2004 Indecent Girl
Little Angel
Obirin Sowanu
Temi Ni, Ti E Ko
Worst Marriage
2003 The Kingmaker
My Best Friend
2001 Saving Alero
Thunderbolt
2000 Final Whistle
Oduduwa
1998 Diamond Ring
Witches as Desmond’s mother
1997 Hostages
1989–1991 Checkmate
— Village Headmaster
Legacy and Awards
- Industry Merit Award at the 2016 Africa Magic Viewers Choice Awards
- Lifetime Achievement Award at the 2015 AMVCA Awards
- Best Actress in a Leading Role at the 2014 Africa Movie Academy Awards
- Best Actress in a Supporting Role at the 2013 Africa Movie Academy Awards
- Best Actress in a Leading Role at the 2012 Nollywood Movies Awards