Bisola Aiyeola: A success story three years after the BBNaija’s experience
By Gbenga Bada
Maybe not yet a success story that has shattered ceilings and inspired millions of people around the world, Bisola Aiyeola has proven to be a success story on the Nigerian entertainment scene three years after her participation in the Big Brother Naija show.
“I have definitely seen growth in myself and my career, there are certain choices that I have made that a lot of people say I have done this and done that but it’s carefully thought out and planned by a team behind me,” Aiyeola says in a brief chat.
Though she amassed a huge number of fans and followings during the show, no one was sure of how consistent her success story will be.
However, her seemingly defined path started taking shape a year after emerging the first runner-up of the 2017 edition of BBNaija themed See Gobbe. In 2018, Aiyeola was awarded the AMVCA Trailblazer Award at the Africa Magic Viewers Choice Awards.
Shortly after winning the award and performing at the AMVCAs, the sultry mother of one went on to sign a management deal with Temple Management.
“Life has its ups and down but I have no regrets signing with Temple Management. My initial contract was for three years and three years lapsed and I am still here. I know so many other people that have contracts with people and they can’t wait for it to end but it’s been a fantastic journey and that’s Temple, so it’s been a very good journey and I have no regrets. Yes, sometimes we have our arguments back and forth like any normal relationship but most of the time, we find a middle ground and it’s been a good journey with zero regrets so far,” she quips.
With appearances in over 15 leading Nollywood films that include Picture Perfect, PayDay, Chief Daddy, Gold Statue, Bling Lagosians, Sugar Rush, and This Lady Called Life, Aiyeola has shown that she has more to offer than participating in a reality TV show.
While 2020 might have been bedeviled with the coronavirus pandemic, Aiyeola made two giant strides that will leave an indelible mark on her career on the Nigerian entertainment scene.
In the third quarter of 2020, Aiyeola announced that she’s co-producing a film, ‘Introducing The Kujus,’ under Temple Management. The announcement follows the promotion of Africa Magic’s new show, ‘Shoot Your Shot,’ which has Aiyeola as the host.
Getting the producer badge
With ‘Introducing The Kujus,’ Aiyeola hits a new career milestone as a first-time movie producer. “I’ve always just been an actor but having to deal with budget and manage people, actors, actresses, crew made me learn so much. I am still learning and I am grateful to Temple Motion Pictures for the opportunity,” she says.
Collaborating with Winifred Okpapi as co-producer to work with Biodun Stephen as the director, Aiyeola says filming with Timini Egbuson, Femi Jacobs, Bimbo Ademoye, MC Lively, Kunle Remi, Mimi Onalaja, and Ronke Odusanya was a vibe. “The unity we felt on set was just so beautiful and it almost felt like we were almost practically living the lives of the Kujus on set. We all had a connection with Aunty B, who was the director and whom we all had worked with at one time or the other.”
Aiyeola stressed the need for family bonding as the theme of the film which was recently premiered. She says she hopes the film will reunite broken families and strengthen the bond among families across Nigeria in the spirit of the yuletide.
Shooting the shots
With three episodes already shown, Aiyeola has proven her prowess as a show host with Africa Magic’s brand new show, ‘Shoot Your Shot’.
Bisola and the ‘Shoot Your Shot’ team set the ball rolling for secret admirers to voice their feelings for their crush. Sometimes it works, other times it doesn’t, but the build-up and the dates make for a really good watch.
From helping 21-year-old Jessica King realise her liking for 26-year-old Obinna Montero, to persuading 23-year-old Vivian Nwabueze to change her stand on 32-year-old Emmanuel Akpotang, Aiyeola has proven to be a relationship expert.
It’s no news as Aiyeola has continued to wow her audience and showbiz experts with her bundle of talents. Aside from her acting and presentation skills, Aiyeola also combines singing with her talents. ‘Controlla,’ ‘Heartbroken,’ ‘Lucia’, and ‘Good Old Day’ are some of the tunes that have emanated from the vocal cords of the sultry entertainer.